Can you tell our readers a little about what you do?
My name is Anthony "Brew" Brewster and I am the music director/leader of the House of Vibe Allstars. I am the lead singer and also play keys and trumpet/valve trombone. I do full music production, touring live shows, artist production, commercials, video games, TV and movie soundtracks/scores. Recently worked on Anchorman 2 and House (Will Ferrell Movies).
I work along with Fox Sports doing music production, videos, skits, to name a few things. Was recently nominated for an Emmy for a parody skit we did with Lil Wayne....go figure....lol.
I currently just finished MDing the Espys on ESPN with the band. I also just finished working on albums with Jack White , Citizen Cope, Chali 2na from Jurassic 5, Evidence from Dilated Peoples, Defari from Alcoholics Crew. Domo Genisis from Odd Future Crew, Rocky Dawuni who our last album was nominated for a Grammy for best reggae album last year.
I currently tour with Citizen Cope and Chali 2na and we do Talib Kweli's TV appearances. We recently appeared with Talib Kweli and Anderson Paak along with Kaytranada on the Conan O-Brien Show.
Do you remember the first time you heard of Ultimate Ears?
The first time I ever heard UEs were in .....I'm gonna say ...1994.....but I got my very own customs in 1998 after playing with Fishbone . My DR suggested it because of the hearing loss frequencies that I was losing ....... why? because Angelo Moore's theremin was SO LOUD that through the wedges it was literally killing my ears... So finally when I started played with an artist named RES , I got my own pair. Since then it's been easy sailing.
Why did you decide to transition from wedges to in-ear monitors in general?
Because the music was SO LOUD on stage that I needed to so save my ears. The difference between coming from my UEs and regular wedges isn't comparable. You hear everything with in-ears ...without the harsh volumes
What was the tipping point? When did you finally have enough of the wedge?
Touring with Citizen Cope..... He has the in-ear vibe dialed in for his stage and it makes it so easy with recall mixes for touring .... literally every show is the same in my ears ..... every show! I just wished all of the other artists that I play with would fully switch over.
How do in-ear monitors fit into your setup?
I'm running my gear as the main with everything else underneath.What’s in your mix?
With my FULL set up I'm running 4/5 keyboards, a laptop with Protools. vocals,, per mic, and MPC 200XL . Sometimes submixed , sometimes not .... ran to my In-Ears with a small band mix underneath me.What is your favorite thing about the product, fit, isolation, sound quality, and why?
Listen...... First off, I have had my Ultimate In Ears since the 1990's ..... never switched to anything else. It's 2018 and I finally had to take my UEs into get the right ear repaired for the Espys. Think about that... Not sure if you listeners are hearing me but I have had my pair since 1998 ....it's 2018 .... 20 years of usage.
Secondly .... When I came in, the crew took such great care of me. especially Michael French. he was the first person that I met as I entered the door and directed me to the people that I needed. Service is everything to me ..... for real. He didn't know me from a stray dog. That speaks volumes. especially in our business. You should treat everyone with love and respect because you never know.
Lastly, I have never switch because I have never needed to... The sounds for me, the fit, the new wiring is sick !!.... ..... many have tried to sway me...lol.... but I am happy right where I'm at with Ultimate. "If it ain't broke, then don't fix it".... well they/ Y'all haven't seen me in the office in 20 years... that's how good the product works ....... Chea !...... Peace.