Justin Stanton & Chris Bullock: sonic diversity from Rio

Cities often serve as the backdrop that inspires and shapes artistic creation. Through their rhythm, light, and contrasts, the artist discovers the narrative that defines their work; each landscape becomes a distinct mirror in which to reflect. The streets become the epicenter for reconfiguring one’s vision of the world, turning everyday life into a song.

In the contemporary music scene, Claro e Escuro, the debut album from Justin Stanton and Chris Bullock, emerges from the vibrant pulse of Rio de Janeiro. The city’s dynamic rhythm and rich cultural tapestry deeply influenced the duo’s creative process. Chris recounts, “Last year, I went and lived in Rio for about three months to check it out. While staying there, I met a community of younger musicians; they played a lot of the stuff I was into, so I started hanging out with them.” Seven songs to imagine the streets despite the distance.

For Justin, the allure of Rio was undeniable. “Chris is always good about getting out and checking things out. When he said he wanted to record in Rio, I knew it was going to be awesome.” Their experience in Brazil was marked by both serendipity and discovery. “We showed up in Rio with little music written and no concrete plan, but it was one of those moments where things just came together as we went along,” Bullock reflects. The city’s essence infused their music, providing a rich backdrop for their artistic exploration.

Recording the album involved a blend of familiarity and new experiences, weaving a story of spontaneity and collaboration. The duo worked with a range of local musicians, each contributing their unique touch. Stanton notes, “The musicians Chris brought in were fantastic, so we didn’t need to provide a lot of direction. All that experience, combined with the new creative young energy coming in, really gave the project what it needed—something outside of our usual sphere.” Bullock adds that the process was notably organic: “We aimed to create a super chill, pressure-free atmosphere—just creating and having fun, seeing what we could come up with at the moment.” This dynamic approach allowed them to capture a vibrant and evolving sound where the listener can synchronize their beat with the rhythms of the city.

Storytelling through music often involves blending abstract elements to create a compelling narrative. On Claro e Escuro, they took various approaches to storytelling: while many tracks embraced a more fluid, spontaneous approach, the final piece, Into the Night, stood out with its deliberate, clear narrative. As Bullock explains, “The very last song on the record, with the brass at the beginning, had a story and a specific sound goal.” The track captures the eerie contrasts of Brazil’s landscape—its vibrant daytime beauty in contrast with the tense, sometimes unsettling atmosphere of its nights. Chris describes the track’s spookiness as reflecting the city's duality: “At night, it’s like, Oh, shit, gotta be careful. There’s this weird juxtaposition of energy that balances out.” This narrative contrast gives the song a unique character, making it a focal point for the album's exploration of light and dark.

The element of improvisation is present throughout the album, reflecting the duo’s approach to music. “Some of the music was very composed, while other moments were completely free and open. One of my favorite parts of the record is those unplanned, spontaneous moments that happened naturally because everyone had their ears open and was present at the moment.” Stanton agrees, emphasizing, “Even though Chris knew the guys, I was coming in fresh—none of us knew each other well. There was very little that needed to be said because the openness in the room and the receptiveness to each other made communication and listening essential.”

Your state of mind is crucial when making music with other people. Your body language communicates a lot. If you’re open and engaged with the musicians on stage, things generally tend to go better than if you’re wrapped up in your own thoughts, focused on all the intricate things you want to play.

Despite their work with Snarky Puppy, Chris and Justin continue to find their unique voice, leaving the door open to the capacity for wonder. “We were just trying to be honest and present with where we were and what we were doing,” Bullock states. “Music is a language, and we all speak it a little differently.” Stanton adds, “There are times when you might think you could place these tunes in different contexts, but they wouldn’t quite fit with Snarky Puppy. It’s just a different approach.”

Playing live is where the true essence of music often unfolds, and for the duo, this potential is especially exciting. As Bullock shares, “After this conversation, we plan to have a little jam session and figure some things out. I have a goal, and I imagine Justin does too: to play this music live.” They anticipate that performing the music in front of an audience will bring new dimensions to the tunes, evolving them beyond the studio recording. The duo envisions integrating Brazilian musicians into their live performances to honor the cultural influence that shaped the album, emphasizing how live interactions can further enrich and transform their work. 

In the polarity of Rio de Janeiro, Chris and Justin found a pretext for musical composition. Their sound emerges from the contrasts of a city that pulls them away from their alternate musical projects. Claro e Escuro is a journey of nuances and layers; through instrumentation and post-production, it's possible to find an unwritten dialogue between two friends.