Photo By Jaylyn Photography
With his four-track debut EP Broke Up (released by Sweetberry Records and produced by Rob Wells) hitting iTunes this week, Hamilton-based 13-year-old vocal wunderkind Brandon Pacheco was cool enough to take some time and chat with Cadence.
Seen by many as perhaps the new Justin Bieber – and not unjustly, considering both the young talents were discovered through their widely popular YouTube videos – Brandon, who initially sang to comfort his glaucoma-affected mother, Manuela, and keep in touch with his father in the wake of his parents’ divorce, now finds himself in the midst of a budding career as a singer, dancer, musician, and recording artist.
Though time will ultimately tell where Brandon’s path as a Canadian pop talent will lead, the sky will most definitely be the limit if he exudes a tenth of the charm with which he spoke on the whole experience thus far.
Did you always want to be a singer? What made you realize you wanted to be one?
I wanted to be a singer after my mom went blind, because she used to sing to me when I was younger. And when she went blind and she was crying, I would sing to her, and then make her feel better. So, then I realized that, like, when I sang, that it touched people and it made them happy, so ever since then I wanted to be a singer. And that happened when I was six.
Describe the feeling that comes with knowing your videos have been viewed over 600,000 times.
It’s, like, a thrill because I never actually thought that this would ever happen. It feels like it’s just a one-in-a-million chance, but when it did end up happening, I was excited, and I was like, “What?!?!” [Laughs] It just wasn’t expected, because when I went on YouTube, I just wanted my Grandma to see, but then the views increased and I was astonished.
Was that overwhelming, you’d say?
Definitely overwhelming.
Who are some of your favourite artists or albums?
Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Alyssa Reid, Taylor Swift – just all the pop and R&B people.
You mentioned Taylor Swift. Her song, “Our Song,” was the first song you ever covered, and that was for your mother, right?
Yes.
Since then, you started taking requests from your friends at school to do YouTube videos, and in light of that (and doing the song for your mother), what ultimately is the thing that makes you decide on what songs to choose? Is it just that the songs strike you in some way?
Well, what I used to do to choose the song is I asked for requests, and then people would send them in. Then I would sing the song, or if I already knew it, I’d evaluate if I had any type of connection or if it would be appropriate and everything. And then I would try singing it; and then if it worked out, that was great, and I would record a video. But if it didn’t, then I’d personal-message them back and be like, “Oh hi. Yeah, I can’t really sing the other song, is there another song in particular that you wanted, other than that one?” and they’d be like, “Oh yeah!” or “Oh no, that’s okay then!” and all that stuff.
Speaking of the songs, what was it like to work with Rob Wells, who’s been attached to such talents as Justin Bieber, Nick Lachey, and Mika, while recording your debut EP Broke Up?
It was overwhelming, once again, and as I said before, it was unexpected. At first, I was like, “Oh, my gosh! I’m going to work with someone who worked with all these amazing people, like Lights, and everybody.” But then, eventually I just got comfortable with Rob. Recording music or a record is a lot like recording a video, in my own comfort zone, because Rob was really friendly, and he made me feel like I was at home when I was recording.
Having until recently shared your music with people mainly via YouTube, what was it like at the Hamilton Ti-Cats 2010 season-ender to stand up there and sing “O Canada” before a nearly sold-out crowd?
It was . . . definitely something different, because when I was singing for the Hamilton Croatia Soccer League, it was definitely a smaller crowd. But then eventually, when I won Hamilton Junior Idol, and I was put up to that, I was kind of nervous at the beginning. But then when I actually was just on the field, and I had the microphone, I was like, “I might as well get over my fears because there’s nothing to be scared of anymore because it’s a national anthem, and I’m just a kid.” Eventually everything grew.
In the news, you’ve been billed, at times, as possibly “the next Justin Bieber.” Just curious, what are your thoughts on that?
Actually, I’m proud to be compared to Justin Bieber because he’s a huge success. In some ways Justin and I are different from each other, but we’re also really similar because we both started on YouTube. Other than that . . . it’s an honour, because he works with such awesome people and everyone’s a huge fan of his . . .
With your EP set for release this Tuesday, what else are you involved in, musically, at the moment? Just uploading videos, or have you started thinking about a next recording project at all?
Well, I’m definitely just focussing on the music right now, but hopefully over time I develop more musical skills and more things start growing, like music videos or tour-dates or anything, just things like that, so that I can get out into the world more.
When your manager took you on, you actually did undergo some developing. You learned piano and all that, correct?
Yes, piano and dance.
What was it like to get that sort of training? Was it a real confidence booster for you as a developing artist?
Yes, because I believe that when you’re a singer or an artist or a musician, you should always have more than one thing to back up your talent. Say if you’re a piano player and you can sing, then that’s great; but if you can sing, dance, and play piano, then that’s a whole package, like a combo. I definitely feel more confident now because I’m not just the guy who can sing: I’m the guy who can sing and play piano, and kind of dance.
Oh yeah, totally, it’s always good to have more skills. What advice can you give to fellow young, aspiring Canadian talents and artists, having come this far?
Don’t give up; keep moving forward. Two years ago I didn’t expect myself to be in this position where I have a publicist or I have a manager, or even songs or things like that. I just thought it was going to be for fun. But now it’s like my dream has come true, and I’m thankful for that.
Speaking of that, with your career as a singer/songwriter gaining momentum, what are some personal goals that you hope to accomplish?
To, once again, make more music. . . . Definitely what I want out of it is just to be happy and do what I love doing, because I see it going as a career, or that’s what I hope of it. . . . I believe that if you wanna work, you should do something that you love doing so that you’re never bored or anything. So singing is what I love doing, so I guess that’s like the perfect match for me.
Yeah, you’ve got to follow your dreams, right? Who in your life has most inspired you and continues to inspire you to pursue a career as a singer?
Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Neverest, and definitely my family because they’re always there for me and my friends.
Visit Brandon’s official site for the latest news and info, and check out his YouTube channel to watch his videos and be mesmerized by his shining talent.
