Metronome #110: Option4

The unsung heroes of dance culture are the local DJs and scene leaders who keep things ticking over in their respective cities—except when you’re talking about Denver nice guy Option4, aka Brennen Bryarly. He’s one such scene leader who’s earning himself plenty of attention outside of his hometown—as far-flung as Australia and beyond.

Slowly but surely on the rise over the past few years as Option4 has polished and shaped his sound—which he describes as “more house than tech, more deep than disco”—he’s unleashed a steady stream of recognizable releases on Australia’s Club Sweat label, the deeper offshoot of the Sweat it Out! Crew. He’s even reached a life goal with the release of a remix on his personal favorite label, Ninja Tune.

Option4 has showcased his sound on a killer mix for Insomniac, and it’s equal parts groovy and deep. Plus, we got him to tell us a bit more about what he’s got going on.

You’re fairly fresh to the dance music world, though you’ve swiftly made an impressive impact with your productions over the past few years. Tell us about your journey so far.
It’s been really introspective. I’ve finally realized why my creative process is changing all the time, and why that’s okay with me. I kind of started off with a bunch of big songs that put me on the map, but then sort of fell off in general because I didn’t want to make the same music over and over again. I struggled with that internally. Going from a bedroom producer to having proper management and a big agency can be a crazy transition. I think during that time, I found out that what really excites me creatively (outside of performing) is having freedom to write and create whatever I want to make.

So, when things dipped for me two years ago (because I was being an artist and creating whatever I wanted, not what was just hot at the time), it was a tough spot for me to accept. Once I accepted that, though, and just created whatever I wanted, it’s all come full circle. Now I’m touring again and engaging with a lot more fans. It’s been a roller coaster, but I’m really happy with where things are right now. I can’t wait to release all this music this year and get it out to the world.

You’ve described your style as “more house than tech, more deep than disco.” Can you elaborate a little on what you meant by this?
I guess I’ve just always been in the middle. I love it all. In a set, I love walking the line between house and techno and disco and, well, whatever I feel the crowd wants at the moment. As far as a production view, however, I’ve always just wanted to write what I’ve wanted to write. Sometimes I wanna make a club banger; other times I wanna write something pretty and emotive. So, the catch line is more a by-product of my emotional makeup, if that makes sense!

You’ve indeed managed to develop a production style that is already quite distinct. So many producers struggle with this. What’s the secret to your success here?
Some producers don’t produce for the sake of release or emotional gratification. I think sometimes, people feel the only way to get gigs is to produce—so they just follow whatever trends are happening and try to emulate that. Thus, how you have so many touring producers that just create new aliases, and make a new trendy sound, and then start touring as that and ditch their old projects. I think that’s often times how you have a Beatport top 100 chart that sounds the exact same 100 times over.

The Club Sweat label has been home to much of your music the past few years. How did this relationship strike up?
I LOVE AUSTRALIA! I’ve never been there, but that pretty much sums it up. The Sweat guys have been a family to me. Super hard-working and honest. They release all kinds of different vibes on the label, so it fit my quirkiness well. I just love how they’re always taking risks and putting out cool stuff. I’m the biggest Sweat fan in the world. I hope I’ll always be able to work with them. They’re just top-notch in my book.

You’ve nominated Ninja Tune as one of your all-time favorite labels, and last year you debuted on the label with your Autograf remix. Was it a big validation?
Anytime you put out a tune on a dope label, it’s a great feeling—especially if you’re a big fan already. That Autograf remix came out so pretty—although with vocals and an original like that, it’s pretty hard to screw up. Ninja Tune is just rad. Love ‘em; always will. Bonobo is one of my biggest inspirations, period.

You’re based in Denver, Colorado. Do you get to tour much? And how do you rate your local scene? What’s distinct about it?
Denver is unreal right now. I’d rate it 10/10. I’d put it up with anywhere in the US right now. The most unique part about it, however, is the fact that our scene is actually 10 times bigger than our population, if that makes sense. We don’t have the biggest city in the US, but you can go out ANY night and see SEVERAL awesome shows or club nights… It’s exhausting and beautiful all at the same time. Wouldn’t live anywhere but here right now. Proud to rep this city.

Tell us about TheHundred and how and why it started?
We all just kind of got together and started a community that was focused on bringing cool music to the city. What happened after that, though was—well, very unexpected. NO one thought the brand would outgrow the community. But we’re still just 100 people deep, and we’ve all grown very close over the years. It’s more of a social group than it is a promotion company. However, as a promotion entity, we throw hundreds of shows a year, and it’s really fun to have family to party with three to four nights a week!

Why do you think it’s been such a success?
Because community > all! What are we if not a bunch of friends? What’s the point of getting together with a bunch of strangers to enjoy music we all do? Why not do it together?

What have you got planned for the rest of the year, releases and otherwise?
So much! I have a side project called 909 Til Infinity, with my brother Manik. We have a single coming out on Street Trax with the W&O Boys I’m real excited to get out. Also have a collab with my good friend Worthy that we’re hoping comes out by summer. A bunch of new singles getting shopped on my own at the moment and some remixes. The rest of the year, I’ll have stuff coming out like every month, so I’m really excited to share all the new weird stuff with everyone. As far as the summer is concerned, just doing a few festivals, and meanwhile staying in the studio. This fall, we’ll plan another tour and hit a bunch of cities. Hopefully one is near you, and we can get that vibe on.

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