If you are yet to hear the latest EP from vocal powerhouse Durand Bernarr, then you are in for a treat. On Charlie Vettuno Presents…Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?!, the singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio, transports us into a magical world of buttery-smooth vocals, merging comedy with sweet melodies. It’s his latest collaboration with dynamic duo Charlie Vettuno and is inspired by 90s House music. You will be both amused and serenaded, here’s what the man behind the music had to say about his latest project.
Congrats on your new EP. How does it feel?
This is going back to my roots. This is the kind of music that I was listening to when I was 8, 9, 10 years-old watching The Box and MTV. Listening to Martha Wash and Melanie Thornton, these women were singing! I love that I’m able to encapsulate all of this and also bring along artists and producers that people didn’t know were out here. This is 90’s House, Deep House. That’s me all day!
So how did this collaboration between you and Charlie Vettuno come about?
There was a song called Slow For Me that came on my Spotify recommendations and it sounded so nostalgic but it was current as well. I started following them and reached out and asked what are y’all working on? They played me Ready and I was like oh okay, bet! Give me 48 hours. They also played me some other stuff and I said well, is this going on the album? And they were like, “no”. I said well where is this music going? Just send me some stuff! I said let’s just do eight songs. Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?!because you know, I’m always travelling. Let’s make it like we’re on different continents or something.
When you start working on new music what’s your thought process like?
I just wanted to have fun, first and foremost. I also realised I didn’t have a lot of upbeat dance music! And so, I said it’s time for me to really tap into that. You know, I love a good groove. This is also music that I could sing years from now. It’s universal, everybody can sing along. It’s a lot of crowd participation.
What do you want people to feel when they listen to this EP?
I want them to feel amused, invigorated, to feel their feelings. I want them to feel someone’s story and the lyrical content to possibly resonate with them. I want it to make them think, all while moving because you are going to want to move! In this EP, I get fun in the first half, I do my cover and then I delve into more thoughtful topics.
You have multiple influences in your music – not just R&B – and your Tiny Desk performance exemplifies that. Who were your influences growing up?
I am a sponge. I am a theatre kid. So, all of the things, absolutely not just R&B. Yes, I am fluent in the genre, however there are so many other things that accommodate and add to my artistry and add to just who I am as a person. We have Jim Carrey, Bugs Bunny, Little Richard, Erykah Badu, Rick James, Kat Williams, Dave Chappelle, Countess Vaughn, Luther Vandross, Nate Dogg, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Michael Jackson, Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Korn, La Bouche – all of the faves.
You released another EP, En Route in May. All your projects are like your babies, so let’s call these two EPs siblings. How are they different? How would you describe them?
En Route is definitely the elder maternal twin. I was having a conversation with my friends about the things I’m going through in life, the things that irritate me, wanting to have a good time and not think. However, with Charlie Vettuno Presents, this is me dipping into someone else’s world and I’m getting a chance to play with all their toys, knick-knacks, gadgets and instruments. Everything is colourful. It’s like, if Charlie Vettuno had access to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and it was just…this ride!
Two EPs coming out in the same year. You are feeding the girls!
And I literally said at the top of the year, I said y’all please just keep your life jackets on standby because there is going to be a wave of music. I want nobody’s wig to disappear into the ocean and sea of forgetfulness.
Younger LGBTQIA+ people have access to you and your music which is something many didn’t really have growing up. Are you aware of the imprint you are leaving on the music industry?
For the longest time I wasn’t of the industry because I was kind of like on the outskirts and I didn’t have access to a machine. All I knew was the village. All I knew was the homies, putting our heads together and making it work. Now I’m in a position where I do have a team that’s growing, the support is growing and it’s just really gratifying. That also goes to show that when people truly believe in what you do, and you do your best to make sure you take care of your folks, then you have that kind of support. We are moving in the right direction!
What would you like to be remembered for?
Understand that nobody is going to be able to wake up and live your life. You have to live it for you and make choices that your future self wouldn’t want to whoop your current self’s ass for. My parents always taught me to think before you act, being yourself, audacity! Have the audacity to be yourself.
photography. Elton Anderson Jr.
words. Sam Quashie-Idun
