Benny Fucking Blanco: Therapist, Master, God?

Channel your inner Benny.

Always.

Just do it, okay?

For a while now my friends and I have idolised the way Benny Blanco works in the studio. It's got to the point where each of us has a framed photo of Benny next to us, whenever we're working on music, just to remind us to 'channel our inner Benny'. You think I'm joking? I wouldn't laugh quite yet!

So why, I hear you ask, have we reached this almost stalker, shrine possessing mentality? Well, it's all because of one quote really from a 2016 Recording Academy interview.

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"You're only job in the studio is to keep a good vibe and to be a good therapist. That's it. You're job is to do nothing else.'

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And honestly, our love affair has only grown from the discovery of this simple mantra.

Blanco's laid back approach to studio and writing sessions, reflected in his pyjama style fashion sense, is something to be revealed at. And despite him being so relaxed that you would believe him constantly spliffed out of his mind, Blanco claims to never make music whilst wasted.

Quite simply, he's mastered the art of making people comfortable enough to open up and write honestly. And like he says, he's the perfect 'therapist'.

Writing Sessions from hell!

If you've ever been part of a songwriting session I have no doubt in my mind that you've encountered the stereotypical person that I like to call Mr BuzzKill. This individual is typically very loud, will always have "the best idea" and will have no problem telling you this, whilst simultaneously ignoring all other suggestions made by others.

First things first ... THIS IS HOW NOT TO ACT IN THE STUDIO OR ANY SESSION EVER JUST PLEASE DON'T FUCKING DO IT!!!!!

Unfortunately, many people (myself included) have all at some point been guilty of being a Mr BuzzKill. In many of my early sessions I would be convinced I had a golden idea that had to be heard. Luckily I quickly realised this mentality not only made others feel uncomfortable but just destroyed the creative flow of a room.

But it's something all writers have to learn and it's okay not to get it right first time. And honestly, only after six years of doing sessions, do I really believe I've cracked the enigma code that is a songwriting session.

And a lot of that comes from the influence Benny Blanco has had on me as writer.

*Repeats mantra out loud*

"You're only job in the studio is to keep a good vibe and to be a good therapist. That's it. You're job is to do nothing else.'

*Sighs with relief and contentedness*

So who is Benny Blanco?

Mr Benny Blanco (real name Benjamin Joseph Levin) was born on the 8th March 1988, and from a young age always held a great love for music. In one of my favourite interviews ever, by a YouTube series called And the writer is, Blanco remembers his older brother taking him to the same record store and picking out single to listen to ... every single day.

It was also his brother who, when Blanco was around 13, hooked him up with a 'guy called Sam' who taught him how to make music, how to produce and how to use ProTools. And this is really where his journey to success began.

He began making beats and eventually got the attention of Jonathon Shecter. Shecter was the first person to put out Eminem's music and played a big roll in 50 Cents career. As well as running a label, Shecter also produced a soft core porn DVD series called, Hip Hop Honeys. And this is where a 14 year old Benny Blanco got his first break, creating the beats for the DVD. Shecter continued to mentor Benny and actually, along with a few other A&R's, came to watch him perform at his graduation.

Fast forward to the age of 17, Blanco began getting meetings at labels by messaging people through Myspace. (Like come on!) In the same And the writer is interview, he remembers 'reaching out to producers and anyone in the music business possible'. He would get meetings in New York and travel all the way there only to have people cancel on him. Not being able to afford hotels he would often crash in the 24 hour McDonalds in Times Square.

At this time Blanco happened to email the person who would come to be the biggest influencer in his career so far. Disco D.

Blanco aged 17 hits up Disco D asking to intern for him and quickly gets an email back saying to come to New York tomorrow. What followed is probably one of the most rock 'n roll stories ever.

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Benny turns up in Brooklyn on a Friday.

Disco D: I'm leaving to go to brazil tomorrow. I'm back on Sunday. If you can fill my studio, the whole time I'm gone and make me money ... you can be my intern.

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Not even knowing this kid, Disco D entrusts Blanco with his studio, full of equipment ... it's basically any musicians wet dream.

Long story short Benny fills the studio time.

Disco D: Okay you got the job ... now get the fuck outta here.

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Blanco began travelling to New York each weekend to intern for Disco D and would eventually enrol in a random college course, just as a way of gaining accommodation in the city.

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He eventually began working with industry legends such as Spank Rock, Dr Luke and Max Martin. Really this move to New York is what allowed Blanco to work with the people who led him to create the tracks that would make his name in the music business.

Great things Benny has said:

'I'm a huge fan of music ... and I think the second you stop being a fan is when you should put it to rest.'

'If you ever make something good and you're alone, the first thing you're gonna do is call up your friends and go Yo listen to this (over the phone). No one just makes a song and goes ... yes, I feel good about myself. Like it just doesn't happen.'

'Everything sounds good when you make it.'

'No one wants to be told what to do in a studio.'

Some artists Benny has worked with:

Justin Bieber

Ed Sheeran

Rhianna

Katy Perry

Maroon 5

Kesha

Taio Cruz

Anne Marie

Jessie Ware

Lana Del Ray

Halsey

To Close:

Benny Blanco is one of the greatest songwriters today. He's mastered how to create the perfect songwriting environment and is just one of the coolest guys ever (not that he would ever admit it).

So if you're ever doing a session, think of Benny and repeat the mantra:

"You're only job in the studio is the keep a good vibe and to be a good therapist. That's it. You're job is to do nothing else.'

P.S

For a full, in depth interview with Benny Blanco follow the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXlLVSVTEtQ&t=570s