During Movement Detroit, I had the pleasure of sitting down with sibling duo Octave One, composed of Lenny and Lawrence Burden. Before sitting down on Day 2, we got the chance to catch their live set right around sunset on Day 1 of Movement Music Festival. It was hands down one of the most unique, mesmerizing, and unforgettable performances we had seen all weekend. Since I had given their album ‘Never on Sunday’ multiple listens prior to the festival, I was already anticipating the unexpected for their set, as the album completely blew me away with its individuality, melancholic, deep, euphoric, dark, and illusive vibes. It sucked me into a timewarp and had me looping it on repeat.
Being established 30 year veterans in the industry, I could feel the passion oozing out of Lenny and Lawrence for this proud work of art that stemmed from the brothers just making tracks. They originally hadn’t anticipated it being an album, or even an Octave One project. As they were vibing and churning out tracks, they realized that this would be dedicated as its own body of work, which also happens to be named after their side project Never on Sunday. If you have not given the album a listen, prepare to be looped into a trance. Very easily digestible, this is not your typical dance album or something that you would expect going off at the festival. Lenny and Lawrence wanted to make something that could be listened to every single day, at any time and anywhere. Despite not being a dance-forward album, they anticipated making dance edits for their shows, which proved to work extremely well. It’s safe to say that whether you are into techno, house, trance or the more vocal-driven dance music, this album somehow brings all the elements together that just works for fans of any genre under one home.
The guys feel most accomplished with bringing together their 5 siblings to make music. When I asked how they dealt with such a close relationship both personally and professionally, Lenny and Lawrence told me that everything was solvable because of their mutual love of wanting to make dope music together. The creativity, connection and synchronicity works wonderfully between them as I found out to my surprise the two never rehearse together in the same room prior to shows. Having so many live elements to their sets, their spontaneity, chemistry, and flow truly impressed and left me awestruck.
For those that have never been to Movement before, Lenny and Lawrence urges everyone to at least come and experience it once. They also dove into how the scene in Detroit is special, and something that cannot be put into words but just needs to be experienced. Having toured all over the world, the two agree that there is no place for music like their hometown of Detroit. The emphasis was on the core culture of being music first, with fashion and all of the other things being an afterthought. Although this was only my second time in Detroit, I understood exactly what they meant.If you have not gone to Movement or explored the music scene there, do yourself a favor and have a look and taste for yourself.
As trends and fads fade away, so will the individuals who follow them. Octave One’s parting advice for aspiring artists out there is to always stay true to who they are and not to follow such trends. Their album is the perfect exemplar of their advice, a truly timeless piece that will be admired for many years to come.
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Stream ‘Never on Sunday’ out on Octave One’s record label 430 West here:
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Watch the interview below!
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