Meet brahm masla | singer, songwriter, producer and performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with brahm masla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi brahm, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is everything to me. All art comes with a certain amount of risk, and because of this, all artists, as soon as they embark upon the process of making art, have to have a lot of bravery. The process of creating art is inherently vulnerable, because you are creating something from inspiration within you, your own imagination, your own mind, from your own unique experience. When an artist creates a piece of art, it becomes somewhat of an extension of themself for everyone around them to perceive. They become incredibly vulnerable, and that is scary in such a hostile and judgmental world. Any time an artist creates, they are taking the risk of being vulnerable, and that is incredibly brave. The world needs more people being brave and vulnerable, and this, to me, is why art is such an integral part of a healthy society. Art is a beautiful risk, and as such it is a reminder of our human fragility, compassion, and beauty that blossoms when we lead with honesty and care.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a songwriter, producer, vocalist, and instrumentalist from Western Massachusetts. I’ve been playing drums and singing since I was about two or three years old but I started taking drum set lessons once I turned six. I’ve always loved every kind of music. I grew up on a wide variety of musical genres including a lot of hip hop, rock, jazz and funk music, and I’ve never stopped learning or loving these different genres, as well as many more. In the recent few years I’ve really doubled down on my own artistic vision, to make it my reality, and I’ve put together some projects that I think fully represent me and my artistry. A few months ago I released my debut EP called “And we were names”. It’s available on all streaming platforms. I play all of that original music and more, as often as possible, with a live band that includes three drummers and an all-star cast of rotating instrumentalists. I have a new single coming out this year under that name “brahm masla” as well, so be on the look out for that! The other project I’m really pushing right now is my pop band “June Arc”. I think we have an entirely unique sound, style and mission, and we aim to push the boundaries of pop music, soundscape and artistic performance in general. You can follow us on instagram at @junearcjunearcjunearc !

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Miami has so much to offer, and it depends what you’re into, but if I’m showing you around, I’m definitely taking you to see some music and eat some great food! My favorite spots to see live music include lagniappe, which has live music every night of the week 9-12pm. The fish house, which has a Wednesday night Jazz Jam session, and usually has other bands on the weekends. The center for subtropical Affairs in little Haiti is an awesome outdoor venue located in a plant nursery. They have music on Thursdays, and many weekend nights. And on 8th st, (little Havana) there’s Ball and Chain, Ocho Live, Guantanamera, and cubaocho, all great places to catch some salsa or musica cubana!

My favorite spots to eat would probably include Amsterdam falafel in South Miami (their garlic cream sauce!!), Pinolandia-(incredible nicaraguan food), Al-Amir on bird road (homestyle Lebanese), and Noami’s Garden (an awesome Haitian food restaurant that also hosts some great music shows on the weekends!).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d have to say that the people that have always and will always continue to inspire me the most in this world are my family. My two parents and my two older sisters not only give me endless amounts of encouragement, love, and support for what I do, but they inspire me every day as well. My dad, Robert Masla is an absolutely incredible fine artist, who constantly amazes and inspires me with his lifelong dedication to beauty and reverence, both within his work and within his life. My mother, Monica Levine, is a therapist and humanitarian, who has an unbelievably astounding way of finding the divine beauty and goodness in every person she meets, every situation she encounters and every interaction, “artistic” or not that she comes across. My two sisters are both multimedia artists, my oldest being an incredible poet/painter, Aiyana Masla (make sure to get her chapbook “stone fruit” online) and my other sister, Narieka Masla is an amazing dancer and actor (make sure to check out her children’s story telling/acting company, “sister stories” as well.

Website: https://brahmmasla.bandcamp.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brahmmasla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brahm.masla/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8dIKNglftZ2wvqXEMuET7w/featured

Other: Link to my debut EP: https://linktr.ee/brahmmasla
Find my band, June Arc: junearc.com

Image Credits
Micheal Lozano, Natalie Alvarenga, Adrian Gonzalez, Ionit studios,