Part 2

Describe the process of working together, please. What was different from your expectations and what did the other add to the music?

James Curd: We have a complementary dynamic when we work together. My approach is more segmented, often thinking in terms of 2 or 4 bars. I have a clear auditory vision, and my challenge is translating that from my mind to the track.

Osunlade, in contrast, has a free-flowing style. He's spontaneous, deftly playing keys and spontaneously recording percussion. His style infuses our tracks with a live feel, while still leveraging production nuances and techniques

Osunlade: I live a life of no expectations, only surprises. With James it just flows … from the beat to say specifically Chocolate Puddin' we found the vocals sample.

James did his magic to extract etc and from there it’s just building and arranging.

Is there a piece which shows the different aspects you each contributed to the process particularly clearly?

James: I contributed the arp bells to the track, which also functioned as a bass line, establishing the song's foundation. Osunlade then incorporated the steel drum melody, providing a compelling hook. Later, I sourced a unique string sample, which, after segmenting, was laid out on a keyboard. Osunlade then skillfully played a melody that seamlessly integrated with the track.

Nothing to it … Osunlade was playing it a his gig the next night!

What tend to be the best collaborations in your opinion – those with artists you have a lot in common with or those where you have more differences? What happens when another musician take you outside of your comfort zone?

Osunlade: I try not to be outside any comfort zone musically and again I’m not the collab guy so to speak.

What I do know is if the energy isn’t there, the music don’t work. What we have is special and honest.

Decisions between creatives often work without words. How did this process work in this case?

James: This was one of the rare times that songs write themselves. I did something and Osunlade was like ... yeah record that. Then he would add something and I was really happy with it.

There was no down time. We worked for 4 or 5 hours straight but it felt like 20 minutes. The bulk of the song was finished in that one night. Only mixing and some structure choices happened later.

Osunlade: It's quite easy once we are in the groove. The hardest thing is what to do with the final output. The process is easy as fuck, one of the realest most loving vibes I have with anyone and it will continue.

What are your thoughts on the need for compromise vs standing by one's convictions? How did you resolve potential disagreements in this collaboration?

James: I always feel like you have to push for your convictions and make your case. There are some things you decide you can’t budge on and some you can clearly see your partner won’t budge on. They are rarely the same thing. So I think for the sake of the song being the best it can be everyone should fit for the things they want to happen in the song.

That has happened a lot with my projects over the years. With Greenskeepers if we were not fighting we were not making a song …

I’m only 2 songs in with Osunlade but everything has been smooth sailing. I just have not heard something I didn’t like or mentioned something that he didn’t agree with too.

Was this collaboration fun – does it need to be?

Osunlade: This collab is love and easy as fuck! I cannot express that enough. Imagine going to your mates for a bbq who has a studio in the back … that's pretty much it, we just live and vibe it out without expectations.

The time spent spent together is what matters. We actually made more things that may never see the light of day but those moments stand forever.

James Curd: It was so fun. I prefer them to be fun. I don’t think it needs to be but I think your connection to the song changes. Even if the end result is good you think man that was a pain in the ass.

Best case is fun collaboration and you are happy with the song.

Do you find that at the end of this collaboration, you changed certain parts of your process or your outlook on certain creative aspects?

Osunlade: I never change anything in my music. Once it’s done it’s the original idea second guessing is an ego trip and mostly for outside energies approvals. Not my vibe

James Curd: I hope so. I always try to learn and take pieces of other peoples process when it comes to making music.

Collaborating with one's heroes can be a thrill or a cause for panic. Do you have any practical experience with this and what was it like?

Osunlade: I worked FOR my hero Prince (because you don’t work WITH him) once for one of his artists tours and afterwards I knew I never wanted to meet the man because of what his ego took our band through. However we grew and he still means what he has from the start.



You have to separate the person from the music sometimes to keep the beauty of why they became a hero.