In his first collaboration to ever feature a rap, Braden teamed up with East Coast Mi’kmaq rap artist Wolf Castle on “Silence”, who lent both his artistry and personal experience on his verse in the song. The track was produced by Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions, Sorrey) who also performs the bass and synth tracks, and was recorded at The Hill Sound Studio in Charlottetown, PEI.
About “Silence”:
Initially written as a personal and reflective take on relationships and the communication they require in order to survive, the song later expanded into a more socially focused track dealing with current social justice movements, and the noise made by the internet machine. Highlighting the responsibility and privilege of those who choose to speak up and honouring those who have no choice but to be vocal, the final version of “Silence” is a current, impactful, and thought-provoking song, aimed at recognizing how staying silent or speaking up can define us. Nearly two years in the making, the meaning of “Silence” was modified with the addition of Wolf Castle – an Indigenous rapper on-the-rise who lent his talent, and personal experiences, to his verse on the song. Tristan Grant is Mi’kmaq, from Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick, and as a rising talent on the East Coast he has continuously come up against industry insincerity while also being encouraged to be apolitical (“Tell me to shut it / They tell me I should just entertain” is his first line).
The progressive, melodic, piano driven song marks Braden’s first musical collaboration, and co-written song. Soulful, catchy, thoughtful, and packed with creativity, “Silence” is a song that acknowledges the part each of us plays when using our voices, or choosing not to. Together, Braden Lam and Wolf Castle create a sobering yet hopeful melody for the future, knowing that they’re stronger for using their voices together.
If you would like to chat with Braden about his music, let me know and we can set something up!
Quote:
“I have a duty and a privilege to speak up as a white person,” says Lam, “while I also need to be careful with my words. I don’t want to make a mess of the space that you’ve given me, but at the end of the day you just need to speak up and say something. Tristan doesn’t have the privilege of choice—he can’t look away.” – Braden Lam
Biography:
Blending authentic songwriting with modern indie flare, Braden Lam is forging the path to a new 21st century folk-pop. The young ECMA-nominated artist from Halifax, NS writes music for driving and singing along to, for late night heart-to-hearts and Sunday morning papers, for growing up and letting go.
His latest release “Silence (feat. Wolf Castle)” is a thoughtful, socially charged collaboration with Wolf Castle, AKA Tristan Grant, from Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick. The pair, alongside producer Colin Buchanan, offers an unlikely spin on the rap feature song with this near-ballad. Though it began as an isolation-era observation of personal relationships, thanks to the artists’ collaboration the song’s scope expanded into a reflection of the larger state of the world, its current social justice movements, the noise made by the internet machine, and the perspectives each songwriter holds and what they can—and are expected to—do with them.
Braden Lam and Wolf Castle create a sobering yet hopeful melody for the future, knowing that they’re stronger for using their voices together. “Braden is sick of being silent about the issues going on in the world, as an observer,” says Grant. “And I’m not going to be silent about what I go through anymore. We’re meeting in the middle to get the message out.”
Connect with Braden Lam:
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https://www.youtube.com/c/BradenLamMusic
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