Philadelphia native Alex Kennedy is a man on a singularly-focused mission to move people through sound under his Brainrack production alias. Much like a pot that’s left on simmer, his releases have been steadily bubbling in the underground community, an emphasis on overall production quality and curating a style that assuredly doesn’t fit in any box. Taking original inspiration from screamo bands and exceedingly heavy music, he’s incorporated this aesthetic into his live shows for an experience that elicits maximum destructive capabilities. We’ve seen a lot of potential in this rising artist, so we recently did an interview with him about his journey so far and what he has in store, along with receiving a guest mix loaded with IDs from him and many of his friends. Check them out below!
What was the inspiration behind the name “Brainrack” and what does the project mean to you?
The inspiration behind the name Brainrack doesn’t go too deep. One weekend back in college my friends and I were partying and at one point I said “my brain is racked,” and then my one friend called me Brainrack. Fast forward a year or two into producing/djing, I wanted to create an alias that would not only stand out but would enable me to create a brand. Brainrack came back to me and it felt so right. This project is something I created myself. Of course, with the help from some amazing people so far, but something that I created from nothing. It might not have felt this way in the beginning, but I now believe that this is my purpose in life. If I didn’t have music or this project in my life, I feel that I would be truly lost.
It might not have felt this way in the beginning, but I now believe that this is my purpose in life. If I didn’t have music or this project in my life, I feel that I would be truly lost.
Walk me through your musical journey up to this point. Did you start with an instrument and gradually work into electronic productions? Or did you dive head-first into making music via a computer?
My musical journey began freshman year of high school when my friend Walter showed me the band From First to Last. I was instantly in love with hardcore and screamo music and started going to shows every month. Shortly after that I got a bass guitar and began teaching myself to play, growing up I had always tried to play different instruments but nothing ever stuck. I played in a band with some of my friends for about a year or so, we played our high school’s rock club show my junior year for about 50 of our parents and friends. My senior year Walter showed me Caspa, Rusko, Excision, and it felt like this was the music I had been waiting to hear my whole life. From there I started going to dubstep shows instead of screamo shows. I transferred to Temple University In Philly my sophomore year from a community college in Pittsburgh where I grew up. I started DJing Temple house parties immediately when I got there, and a year later I knew that I wanted to be a producer and not just a DJ. I started producing shortly after that about six and a half years ago and I love it to this day.
What’s the significance behind the TV headed character in your logo?
For some reason when I came up with the name Brainrack I kept thinking about TVs being involved in visuals or branding. Just like my name this also not too deep, and the concept of a person with a TV for a head is certainly not original, but when I brought this Idea to my friend Jon Swartz of Black Ink Art who drew the original character he instantly came up with the idea to do a boy with a TV head. You won’t catch me wearing a TV head helmet any time soon but I loved the idea of my brand and visual content being based around a character like that.
I don’t really know what my style is exactly and I think that’s a good thing, it allows me to not get stuck in one genre but this project has gotten heavier and heavier as it has progressed and I don’t see that stopping.
What artists have directly influenced your current style?
My number one influence is the underground. There are so many kids out here killing it that no one knows about, if you spend some time digging through SoundCloud you can always find some new stuff. If I had to name a few artists that are directly influencing my current style I would say Stuca, NXSTY, and Leotrix. I don’t really know what my style is exactly and I think that’s a good thing, it allows me to not get stuck in one genre but this project has gotten heavier and heavier as it has progressed and I don’t see that stopping. Some of my friends that have influenced me are Mursa, Veepot, Blvk Sheep, Ruvlo, and Holly. I have been fortunate to become friends with so many people around the world through music but these are a few of the homies that deserve everything that’s coming to them. Check them out when you have a chance!
The Philly scene is one of the best out there. This city is overflowing with musicians of every genre and the bass and dubstep scene are thriving here. This city has shaped my music from the start and has enabled me to be 100% myself. The fans are loyal here and they go hard.
What’s the music scene like in Philly and how has it affected your style?
The Philly scene is one of the best out there. This city is overflowing with musicians of every genre and the bass and dubstep scene are thriving here. This city has shaped my music from the start and has enabled me to be 100% myself. The fans are loyal here and they go hard. Since my music/performances are on the heavier side I have been able to build a solid foundation for this project here. There is also a large number of bass producers here in Philly, anyone from just starting out to touring full time. This has given me the opportunity to not only meet some amazing artists but also become close friends with them. Having a network of artists that your friends with and support you can really make a positive impact on your career. I have never been anywhere like Philly and I’m proud to call it my home, for the moment at least.
What makes music special to you?
Music started as my passion but has turned into a high that I chase and dream about. I used to always be partying in college but after I graduated and things progressed with this project I just simply stopped caring about that stuff and began to really focus on Brainrack. It’s hard to explain but sometimes when I’m producing or on stage, I get these glimpses of pure joy and bliss, feelings and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
You have a collab with Veepot coming out very soon, how did you guys get connected initially?
Matt and I met on SoundCloud at least 2 or 3 years ago and when I heard his bloccd remix I hit him up! We have been working on music ever since, and he’s one of the favorite producers to work with. This kid is some seriously overlooked talent. If you don’t know Veepot get to know him. Matt’s sound design, mix, and master quality blow me away every time I hear something new he’s working on. Our newest collab will be coming out on Partica Artist Group in April, GO LISTEN TO VEEPOT!
Any other big collabs in the works for you?
I’m working on a few right now but I have been working on a collab with Shizz Lo for about two and a half years now that we should be wrapping that up before summer. Some other collabs I’m working on right now are with the Architekt and Brightside.
What are some of your hobbies outside of music?
I have been a skater my whole life, however, I have been slacking the past few years. Other than that I love chilling with friends and family, doing hot yoga, going to concerts, and eating snacks!
Any big plans for the rest of 2020?
So far, I have my first Philly direct support gig with Getter May 15th, I have been working for this one for about six years putting in my time here in the city. Other than that I will be playing a few festivals and shows, as well as releasing a bunch of music!
Walk us through what people should expect from your guest mix for us today!
Very hype and crazy lol! Lots of ID’s from myself and the homies, I hope you enjoy!
Tracklist:
1. Eugene – stay here
2. Runnit – 36 chambers (Brainrack remix)
3. HOLLY x A$AP TYY x NXSTY – TILL I DIE
4. NXSTY & Sweet Teeth – ID
5. Avanace & Loca – Revenge
6. TRAVIS SCOTT – SICKO MODE (NXSTY REMIX) X Brainrack – Trying to fit in Edit
7. Mishap & Brainrack – Bang
8. Boombox Cartel – NEW WIP (NXSTY Remix) [feat. MadeinTYO]
9. Licka rich – troyboi – frustrated // remix
10. Juelz – Babushka Boi (Juelz & ISOxo Remix) X NXSTY – IDGAF (feat. Lil Traffic) EDIT
11. Dbear – Stanky
12. Cancel – Hijack
13. Kehlani – Gangster (Shisto Flip) x Butterfly Doors (Tryplt Bootleg) x Brainrack – ID EDIT
14. Keyswitch x Buonofide – Down x Brainrack – Deadman EDIT
15. NOT NICE Raising Hell (feat. Clonethekid) x ATLiens – Shelter (OG Nixin Remix) EDIT
16. Brainrack – Im like
17. Brainrack – ID
18. Veepot – ID
19. Big Red & Brainrack – Darkside
20. Rickyxsan – LOST + FOUND x Benzi – Whatcha Gon Do (feat. Bhad Bhabie, Rich The Kid & 24hrs) [QUIX Remix] EDIT
21. Blvk Sheep x Leotrix – ID
22. FLOSSTRADAMUS & TROYBOI – SOUNDCLASH – Brainrack & Slugma – Known EDIT
23. Blvk Sheep x nvadrz – Static
24. Holly – ID
25. Slugma – ID
26. YOOKiE & Hekler – Wraith x Brainrack & Veepot EDIT
27. Blvk Sheep & Tvboo – ID
28. Choppaz (Frost remix) X ATLiens X Hairitage – Exterminate (FrostTop Remix) EDIT
29. Mishap – ID
30. Hairitage – The Movement x Oski – Wippit (Aweminus Remix) EDIT
31. Veepot – ID
32. Chunk Up The Deuce (OG Nixin Flip) X OG Nixin – Problem Solver EDIT
33. ISOxo – Night show edit x Cancel – In the game Edit
34. Jeanie – ID
35. NOT LOUD ENOUGH & Mursa – 100 Shots
36. Perto & Kah-Lo – Bad Good Maybe (TYNAN Remix) X QUIX – Huhhh Edit
37. Brainrack & Big red – ID
38. Moore Kismet – Escape (VIP) x TYNAN & KRISCHVN – Shy La Boof edit
39. Ryxn – Burn It Up (QUIX Remix) x Mursa – ID Edit
40. Architekt & Brainrack – ID
41. OG Nixon Fuck Aliens x Stuca – Grit Edit
42. DJ SNAKE – SouthSide (Riot Ten Remix) x Hekler & Calcium – Doom Edit
43. Cancel & Detrix – Mechtrix
44. Mishap – ID
45. Brainrack – ID
