21 Jun Inside the Music Mind of Producer, Tennishu
The Music Industry is full of creative people. From the producers with the best studio equipment, to musicians on stage playing music with the best vocal mics to the artists that make the posters that the promoters use to get people to the music venues. All the different people involved in making the music industry work have skill sets to be celebrated.
For Tennishu, the skill sets are as diverse as the influences you hear in his music. Richmond VA based musician, Tennishu (Marcus Tenney), has gone from standout musician at VCU to multi instrumentalist in the emerging jazz/funk group Butcher Brown. The group’s rise has landed them on Concord Records and taken them on tour with groundbreaking saxophonist, Kamasi Washington.
With a reputation as a trumpet player, the versatility of Tennishu has allowed him to also shine as a saxophone player, lyricist, rapper and producer as well. He even has put out some impressive beats on the drumkit. Having followed Tennishu for a few years now and seeing Butcher Brown making a name for themselves, we have been excited to watch the rise of these phenomenal musicians.
We are thankful that Tennishu took the time to sit with Music Minds and let us pick his brain.
And don’t forget to scope out our last interview: Inside the Music Mind of Alex Wasily, trombonist of Dumpstaphunk
MM: SO WHAT WAS IT THAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A MUSICIAN?
The power of affection inspired me to become a musician.
MM: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GREAT MUSICIAN?
IMO, the ability to listen to the environment and respond intelligently and judiciously are the two main elements of being a musician.
MM: WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS OF ALL TIME AND WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST OF THEIR DISCOGRAPHIES FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO THEM?
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Olesi
Miles Davis – Flamenco Sketches
Michael Jackson – Off The Wall
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway – Where Is The Love
Wayne Shorter – Speak No Evil
MM: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GREAT SONG?
One of the main elements of a great is the attention to the detail of each level throughout the process. That, to me, is also coupled with how transparent the experience is as well because it generates trust with the artist.
MM: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GREAT ALBUM?
One element is style, another is timing. I think the biggest thing is contour of the flow of the sequence. I feel like the tracklist of a great album can only come from a true love of music.
MM: WHAT WAS THE FIRST ALBUM THAT REALLY GRABBED YOU? WHAT WERE THE SPECIFIC THINGS ABOUT THE ALBUM THAT MADE IT SPECIAL FOR YOU?
Justin Timberlake’s “Justified” for sure. When “Señorita” hits the first chorus, everybody is getting out of their seat without a doubt.
MM: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE PEAK EXPERIENCES OF YOUR CAREER? ANY FUN STORIES YOU CAN SHARE?!
Playing in Stockholm, Sweden with Butcher Brown. Theo Croaker played a gorgeous solo over Butcher Brown while they vamped the chords from my song “777”. Very surreal moment right there.
MM: FOR THE SERIOUS MUSICIANS OF THE WORLD, IS THERE A REAL PRO TIP YOU ARE WILLING TO SHARE, BE IT AN EXERCISE, A LICK, A PRACTICE HABIT, LIFE ADVICE, ETC.?
The biggest tip I can offer is an oldie but goodie: Learn the business first.
MM: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG MUSICIAN THAT WANTS TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN?
Learn the business first. You and everyone you are involved with will have a whole lot less headache.
MM: WHAT GEAR ARE YOU USING THESE DAYS? FEEL FREE TO SHOUT OUT SPONSORS, DISCUSS NEW ADDITIONS OR FAVORITE OLD GEAR. CAN BE YOUR MAIN INSTRUMENT, ACCESSORIES ETC.
I’m using a Focusrite Solo, Sennheiser, Apple, dbx, Cannonball saxophones, Conn-Selmer trumpets and Sonor drums with a Zildjian ride cymbal the Fonville let me hold.
MM: WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS OF ALL TIME AND WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST OF THEIR WORK FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO THEM?
Biko, Milan, Italy. La Nef, Angouleme, France. Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California. Bimhaus, Amsterdam, Netherlands. To me, those are the rooms that I have played where I felt like I had to musically turn up to get my point across. I hope to be back in that feeling again.
MM: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE VENUES TO PLAY IN THE WORLD? FEEL FREE TO SHARE AN EXPERIENCE THAT MADE IT SPECIAL
Biko, Milan, Italy. La Nef, Angouleme, France. Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California. Bimhaus, Amsterdam, Netherlands. To me, those are the rooms that I have played where I felt like I had to musically turn up to get my point across. I hope to be back in that feeling again.
MM: IN ALL YOUR TRAVELS, WHAT IS THE BEST MEAL YOU EVER HAD?
The best meal I have ever had was the first meal I had in the US after Butcher’s last European tour. It felt really good to take a second and reflect on the fact that we were able to get though a successful tour and make it back home in one piece.
MM: HAVE YOU DISCOVERED AN AWESOME RESTAURANTS WHILE ON TOUR THAT YOU WANT TO SHOUT OUT! WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?
Shoutout to Chipotle! Stella’s Grocery and Goatacado in Richmond, VA. Little Dom’s in L.A. is lit as well.
MM: HAVE YOU DISCOVERED AN AWESOME HOTELS WHILE ON TOUR THAT YOU WANT TO SHOUT OUT! WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?
Yes! Shoutout to Nobu Warsaw in Warsaw, Poland. My favorite hotel for sure!
MM: COFFEE, TEA OR JUICE?
Coffee.
I am Tennishu, music producer from Richmond, Virginia. My latest single “Good Night Remix” is streaming now and I am in the producer’s seat for my homie Dub Gottem’s album and we just released his first single “Kold feat. The Few” which is also out now on all streaming platforms.
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