Last time Loverboy spoke with vocalist supreme, Durand Bernarr, he was fresh out of lockdown and gearing up for the release of his sophomore album DUR&. Since then he’s dropped the follow-up, Wanderlust, an eight-track EP entitled En Route, toured the world as a solo artist and launched his own roller skating experience, Rollin’ with the Homies.
Plus just last month Durand put out his EP, Where in the world is Carmen Randiego?! a collaboration with producers Charlie Vettuno. Flirting with Dance through his always iconic collaborations with Kaytranada, this EP sees him take us on a journey through 90s House. Across the eight tracks he gives us moments of everyone from Sylvester to Janet…but always keeping it strictly Durand with those insane vocals runs and that charisma jumping out through his lyrics.
Loverboy caught up with Durand to find out more about Dance, Tiny Desk and Desire…
Durand, congratulations on the EP. You are so versatile with your genres, but it feels like bar the Kaytranada collabs, you’ve veered away from Dance music a bit…
If anything, I’m closer to the Dance genre than I’ve ever been, especially with my newest EP, Charlie Vettuno Presents…Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?!, a collaboration with the rising producer and songwriter duo Charlie Vettuno.
I think I work better with set parameters. So maybe in my mind working on a House Music concept EP with the same production duo on each track would keep me more focused than producing a fourteen track album about everything on my mind. Ha. What was it like working on this EP with the structure in place for you? How do you find working with parameters?
Considering we already have a certain empathy in our love for music, as well as our life experiences as Black queer men, the process was very seamless. Even with a certain structure to the sound, I did not confine myself to any parameters. The Dance EP is another avenue amongst the land of genres.
The EP is entitled Where in the World is Carmen Randiego? I also know Carmen Santiago was a brief option for dress code on your legendary Tiny Desk session. Tell me about why you love her and why her energy felt right for this release.
Popeye was actually the initial option for Tiny Desk. I dressed up as Carmen for my shows in Cleveland and Atlanta. Ironically, she did not have a major presence in my childhood. Growing up, I knew about her and even played her computer game for a short time, but I couldn’t tell you about one episode lol. I’m not even sure what her job is right now. But I refer to myself as Carmen Randiego because I’m always traveling and it’s a head nod to my childhood nostalgia.
It’s been two years since your last full length album. What experiences over the last two years have gone into this EP and your last one En Route?
Whew, that’s a loaded question and answer. On ‘En Route’, I’m having an open dialogue with my friends – one I’m in love with, one who I’m protective of, and another I can let loose with. It’s about discovering new levels of vulnerability, finding support, receiving affirmation, and expanding emotional capacity. .With ‘Carmen Randiego’, I’m direct about my desires, addressing things like weaponized incompetence and the fleeting nature of people, especially the loss of their physical presence—here today, gone today. It’s just life, really.
I had no idea your previous album Wanderlust was inspired by Kelis’ second album. I feel taking a perceived flop of an album as inspiration is only something someone with extreme nerve could do. Something extremely Durand Bernarr. Do you feel the same? How did that album inspire you? Does her album need a critical revision?
The beauty about art is that it’s all subjective. For me and my house, Wanderland reached Platinum status. While I enjoyed mainstream music, I also was provided space to access music that wasn’t so “popular.” I was already a fan from her first album, Kaleidoscope, but when I discovered Wanderland at 13 or 14, it became the perfect soundtrack for the personal growth I was experiencing at that age.
You’ve been out on the road a tonne since the last time we spoke. Where have been some of your favourite shows? Are there any new places in particular you want to hit and why is that Barcelona? We need to see you play here please.
The UK always shows love! I am actually looking forward to playing in Barcelona, haha. There was a beautiful moment in Utrecht where, while I was speaking, you could literally hear a pin drop. Experiencing that kind of undivided attention is something truly remarkable.
I know you also have some new dates for your Rollin with the Homies Skate Experience coming up. How did this event come about? How has the response been?
Skating has been a part of my life since childhood, and it’s something I’ve continued into adulthood. It’s more than just a hobby—it’s a global lifestyle. Bringing that energy together for people who may be new to the skate world is an exciting journey all on its own.
There was a clickbait of an article on The Guardian the other day saying that with Adele taking an extended break, it’s kind of evident that the era of the diva with the big voice is less and less ‘in fashion’. Do you feel there’s any truth in this?
I think the variety in how we express our abilities creates space for different textures. If someone wants a powerful voice, they can find it. If they’re looking for something softer, that’s available too. But if they want to have fun, shake their ass, laugh, and feel encouraged at the same time, that’s where I come in.
Speaking of the divas, we are named after the biggest-selling single of 2001 and always ask a Mariah question. So seeing as today we are talking about your House EP, I wondered which of her legendary House remixes was your favourite.
I wish I had a selection on the dance side, but honestly, my favorite Mariah remix is the Heartbreaker remix with Missy and Da Brat, haha. I’ll have to get back to you on the dance remixes next time!
Charlie Vettuno Presents…Where in the World is Carmen Randiego?! is out now.
For live dates see www.durandbernarr.com
Photo: www.instagram.com/vonjovey
