By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Sometimes, it’s just best to just make do and mend.
“Mend Things” is the jazzy result of yet another collaboration between Los Angeles-based producer Almand and his Mexico-based friend Samme, which showcases the best of what Spotify-pop/electronic has to offer.
Just like their musical chemistry isn’t limited by borders, “Mend Things” is the first single from their joint EP and won’t disappoint music aficionados.
Almand has had his music supported by the likes of Chill Nation and PRMD, which is known as the late Avicii’s old label. He has also performed at festivals like the Moonrise Festival and Okeechobee and has opened for acts such as Cash Cash and Big Gigantic.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with Almand – who just dropped his debut EP via Blanket Fort – about what he’s been up to lately and more.
Music Bugle – What excites you the most about your style of music?
Almand – Samme and I have two different styles of electronic music that we focus on individually. When we collaborate, I find we balance pop and EDM in a very smooth way. It’s always exciting when we work on projects together.
Music Bugle – How would you describe Buffalo, New York to someone who has never been there before?
Almand – A hidden gem that gets overlooked often by outsiders.
Music Bugle – What has been your proudest accomplishment thus far?
Almand – My proudest accomplishment was releasing my first single during my senior year of college. It was extremely difficult to balance everything going on at that time and I’m really proud of myself for powering through and graduating.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Almand – I listen to a lot of up-and-coming SoundCloud producers. I love the community on that platform and it’s quite easy to find underground talent. Oh and Bieber!
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt musicians?
Almand – I think it’s both. Obviously, being able to completely reach a new audience through social media is a blessing. TikTok is a prime example of that. On the other hand, I think the pressure of posting “because you have to” takes a toll mentally. Personally, I struggle with that exact issue and I have found that if you don’t take this industry too seriously, you’ll have a lot more fun.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Almand – Honestly, it gave me time to recover mentally and regroup. I used this time wisely and worked on myself a ton. It also helped Samme and I get our EP to perfection.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need a break?
Almand – I love going on walks. They seem to clear my head instantly. I live in Brooklyn currently. It’s a great neighborhood to do that.
Music Bugle – What’s some advice you would give young musicians just starting out?
Almand – Watch a lot of YouTube videos and understand that it will take a lot of time to master your sound. Send any demos to joelalmand@gmail. I would love to give feedback!
Music Bugle – Away from music, what’s something that people might be surprised to know about you?
Almand – I studied television production in college and I work in news!
Music Bugle – What do you hope for from the rest of 2021?
Almand – I hope to make up for 2020! I have a lot of music saved up and I could not be more excited for this release. It’s been years in the making and it feels like the perfect time. I am excited to see where this takes us!
