Interview: Langston Bristol Talks M-Side Odyssey 2 and All Things Michigan
Hailing from the Metro side of Detroit, Michigan, Langston Bristol is bringing that M-Side vibe to brighten up your day. With nearly twenty-five thousand monthly listeners, Langston flies under the radar while still delivering big hits like, “Woohah” and “PSA” featuring redveil. Manifesting the energy of his surroundings, Langston creates a sonically vibrant world with his fluid cadences and undeniable confidence.
In this interview, Sparky got the chance to sit down with Langston Bristol and talk about his newest project, M-Side Odyssey 2, his influences, Zane Lowe, shoes, and what’s to come.
Brett: So where are you from?
Langston Bristol: Okay, so when I was baby, I was in Highland Park, Michigan. That's like a hood right next to Detroit, but we had to leave that place, because it got so screwed up. So we moved to Westland and that's where I grew up for most of my life Westland, Michigan still in the Metro Detroit area.
Brett: How did everything begin with music?
Langston Bristol: So yeah, I I grew up in Westland and that's where that's where everything really began with stuff like I was a little kid in the house. My brother, Robby, always played piano and guitar, so he was definitely my biggest influence. When I was like five or six, I started playing the drums at church. I would also just hang around my brother and his friends, and just listen to the way they would talk about music. They would dissect songs and point out little sounds that would just blow my mind. Pretty much the way they thought about music helped influence me and changed the way I look at music forever.
Brett: What’s the age difference between you and your brother?.
Langston Bristol: I’m 22 now, I actually just turned 22 last month. And he is 29 this year. So we have a 7 year gap man.
Brett: That’s dope, so he must’ve played a big part in shaping you into the man you are today?
Langston Bristol: When I was like 10 or whatever, I used to try and walk like him and talk like it and act like him. You know, every little sibling wants to be like their older sibling, but then you start to grow into your own.
Brett: I like to think you're obviously more than just a rapper. I feel like you've taken on the role of being an entertainer. If you look at your Instagram bio, you listed that you're a rapper, producer and stand up comedian. Can you kind of talk about that a little bit like just dive into how each of that became anything?
Langston Bristol: Yeah, when I was growing up I did plays and stuff like that and I always liked comedy and stuff, plus I was always the class clown. So I just started trying to write comedy and I've gone to a couple of comedy clubs. I’ve done standup at coffee shops, but I haven’t done it in a long time because of everything shutting down, but I plan to get back in and do some more when I get an opportunity, but I’ve just been focusing on music now.
People like Donald Glover inspire me a lot. He does a little bit of everything, just like Jamie Foxx.
Brett: You just released your newest project, M Side Odyssey 2, which was fully produced and written by yourself. What was some inspiration that sparked the idea of the project and the overall sound of the album?
Langston Bristol: The overall idea of M-side, is about my home, Michigan. That’s just my own way to talk about Michigan. I gave it that name because one of my favorite artists is John Givez, and hes from Oceanside, and his brand is the side. So I adopted that idea for Michigan and called it M-Side. And its an odyssey because I want to take you on an adventure through my story.
It actually isn’t finished either. M-Side Odyssey is a trilogy, where each project depicts a point in my life. So the final project will be out later on. Wait, what else were you asking me? Something about the production?
Brett: What was the overall inspiration behind the sound of the project?
Langston Bristol: Growing up, I listened to a lot of jazz. Lots of Miles Davis, Hank Mobley, and Dexter Gordon. Stuff like that would always be playing in the car with my dad so that definitely had some inspiration behind my project. Its kinda funny, I have some strong jazz chords on Woohah, and people are saying it sounds like a John Coltrane song.
Another influence would be the rock music my brother would play. Bands like Fall Out Boy and Paramore.
Brett: Last time we touch base was when you dropped your single PSA with redveil. Since then, it's like damn near tripled in views and even got a placement on Zane Lowe’s on his music on his playlist. What was your reaction when that happened?
Langston Bristol: Yes bro, I was actually at work when I found out. It was really amazing for someone as big as him to hear something that I made in my basement. He doesn’t just put anything on there, so it was huge that he found my music worthy for the spot.
Brett: The snippets you’ve been posting on your IG are fire. From the creativity to the bars. Do you make those yourself?
Langston Bristol: Yeah I do. I have my own Sony A5 100 that I film with to create those little clips. I'm trying to get a new one that's my next goal.
Brett: What type of camera are you looking at?
Langston Bristol: The Sony A73. Its good for video.
Brett: Something I've noticed about your style is you rock Nike Cortez, which is an LA shoe. Do you pull any inspiration from LA?
Langston Bristol: LA goes crazy. LA goes crazy with the high white socks. Yeah, I know bout it I'm not gonna lie. I bought Cortez’s because I saw Kendrick Lamar with some on. I was always into them, but that made me like them even more, and people don’t wear them out in Michigan which is dope.
Brett: Last October you posted some remixes to some popular songs like Steve Lacy, Giveon, and Mac Miller. Do you have any others planned?
Langston Bristol: Oh my God, I'm actually lowkey by the post one tomorrow, but it's not to a song, it's more like I did a remix to a beat.
Going back to what you said that Steve Lacy video, that's the first video started going doing numbers on there. That's like the start of everything for real like I mean in the Instagram.
Brett: That’s fire. So my last question was about your skateboard. It’s a super subtle detail in your videos, but it keeps coming back. Is there a possible M-Side skateboard in the making?
Langston Bristol: That would be sooo crazy. Im gonna have to take that from you. As for now, I just LOVE skating. Its where I get a lot of my inspiration. Me and my homies go downtown and skate and its just a complete vibe. Great way to decompress and just enjoy my time.
After sitting down with Langston Bristol, my appreciation for the M-Side had skyrocketed. More than just a place, the M-Side is a way of life and Langston manages to capture that feeling in M-Side Odyssey 2 perfectly. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, give it a listen and catch a weekend vibe.
Written by Brett Friedman