Interview with Sound Engineer and Music Producer KOTB

Today on our Hot Seat we have a talented Sound Engineer/ Music Producer Branden Allen Grass. He goes by “Kayvmann On The Beat… KOTB. Lets have a chat with him.

Twist Online : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career?
KOTB : I guess the first time of doing professional work would have been when I did work for local East Saint Louis artist Raw Resse in 2010. I was in my junior year of high school and I ran into him at Guitar Center and he asked what I did musically we got to talk I gave him a business card and I received an email an few days later.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
KOTB : I was always inspired by Jay Z. I fell in love with the Blue Print and its production, the rest… well the rest was history. Another big person who was none music related was my freshmen English teacher Jessica Pilgreen, she will probably read this and have no clue Im here mentioning her, but I will have to say I would have never pursued this dream as heavy if she wouldn’t have pushed me to believe in myself. I think I speak for a lot of students that had her over the years when I say she helped me alot more than she knows.

Twist Online : Any particular reason or story behind going with the name “Kayvmann (caveman) On The Beat”?
KOTB : Uh I use to have a big bushy beard and wild hair and a good friend “Jared Haullin” called me caveman. It kind of stuck and I was producing music at the time so we just went with the flow.

Twist Online : Tell us about your recent projects?
KOTB : My most recent project is with a artist named “Blizz” from the Houston area. He has an album in the works and I engineered 2 of his tracks.

Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from your work so far?
KOTB : For the most part I believe I have always had a good support group and they have always been excited about what step I take next.

Twist Online : What’s the best part of being a music producer/engineer?
KOTB : Just knowing I helped an artist bring their thought, their concept, their vision to life. Music has this sense of an artist/producer/composer being able to self express themselves through it.

Twist Online : What’s your favorite music genre?
KOTB : I would have to say Hip/Hop has always been my favorite genre, but I listen to a wide variety of music

Twist Online : Any particular artist you would love to work with?
KOTB : I have had Chance The Rapper on my Radar for about a year and half now. Dave aka “Lil Dicky” actually helped me get into contact with Chances manager and I have emailed somethings to them. So as of now its a toss up on what will happen next, but praying for good things!

Twist Online : Have you set some target to achieve as a music artist?
KOTB : I have some pretty high standards when it comes to my projects and work I do for my clients, I have achieved a lot more in music than I ever imagined possible. But with me there has always been a want for more. The next challenge is the best challenge. If you become complacent then you aren’t growing.