Press Lives Matters: 713Bran of 713 Magazine
Modern Life Mag wants to officially introduce a new interview series that focuses on the aspect of the press. As an online publication that thoroughly focus on the rhythms of music, the intricacies of fashion, and the art of the creative scene, we wanted to further the influence with our fellow writers that script and document the electrifying times of today in their respective area. We have featured Diane from the Los Angeles based publication, Suspend Magazine and now we're going to steer the wheel towards the Southwest region of the country to highlight a gem brewing in the immersive youth driven scene in Houston. 713 Magazine has broke barriers with laying down the foundation of rising Space City artist YK's career, drawing big crowds to their shows that featured Maxo Kream, Lil Uzi Vert, PnB Rock, and more, and ultimately creating another outlet that Houston can call it's own.
We recently had the chance to speak to the founder, 713 Bran about his grass roots following, the evolution his publication has taking him, and how he plans to elevating it for years to come. Read the interview below.
How’s your Modern Life?
I've been good! I’m actually never been busier in my life but that comes with this business I guess.
When did you start 713 Magazine?
I started 713 Magazine in March of 2015 during my senior year of highschool in my 3rd or 4th period class I don't remember I just remember it was before lunch haha. I saw some bullshit clickbait Complex article talking reckless about the The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger being the worst Batman movie ever made and it pissed me off. It pissed me off enough to want to make my own blog so I could post real content, post good music that nobody was hearing or just new music I thought was cool. There were a lot of artists who deserved the spotlight and were left in the dust because a big blog didnt want to cover them. I don’t know If you have ever listened to UGLYFRANK but his album BOBBY HILL EP should have went platinum and won a grammy every single song is absolute heat and it only got ONE article post from a reputable blog I think it was illroots (shout out illroots). But anyway yeah stuff like that made me wanna do it.
What has been your goal with the Magazine?
This is gonna sound stupid but my goal with 713 changes almost daily. If you ask my partner Nandi, I legit send her like 3-4 concert ideas or event concepts or article ideas a week if not each day, so I'm moving in 50 directions at the same time I don't know how she puts up with me. But the main focus right now is events this summer. We want to bring the best events to Houston we possibly can. It’s kinda a funny story I never planned to do events, but Maxo was looking for someone to throw a concert, so I came up with the money by selling my car and making a legal business and putting together a sold out show all in a month and a half when I had never event thought of putting a concert together. So kinda like I said, my goal with 713 changes daily and I think it's good and keeps me in a position to where I'm not boxed in. Maybe I want to learn how to produce music or make music videos next week, I can do all these things with the connections I make on 713 and this is what I love most about this.
What made you want to make a publication like this?
Like I said earlier I was so fed up with the clickbait bullshit articles I was seeing these blogs put out and it just made me wanna make my own outlet where I could tell everyone what I thought was cool and show the world the talent Houston has to offer. Our city is amazing and deserves to be celebrated.
"I had people laugh at me, I had people make fun of my ideas and tell me I can't do this cause I’m too young, I’m white and all other types of bullshit. Just don't listen to it just believe in yourself and give all praise to God and everything else will follow. "
What has been your biggest challenge in getting to where you are today?
Money for sure... You need money and connections to be in this business and after a while the connections have just come naturally. The old saying that it takes money to make money couldn't be more true. Like I said earlier I sold my car to throw my first event lol. If I had more money I would be throwing a concert a month.
What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
Shit everything! My favorites were Eminem, Kanye , Young Jeezy, Z-Ro, Lil Wayne, Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and so many more. I also listened to stuff like blink-182, Green Day, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana. I think that rock/punk rock side of me is the reasons I love the transition that is happening in today's Rap culture where it's almost like Rap is going through its edgy emo phase. Rappers are dressing like rock stars, there are mosh pits at almost every show I’ve been at in the past year and you are starting to hear it in the music especially through rappers like Lil Uzi, Trippie Redd, Migos and Xxxtentacion to name a few.
What’s your favorite H-Town song? Album? Artist?
Mo City Don no question, I know every word and will sing it at the top of my lungs every time it comes on till the day I die. My favorite Houston album is ‘Money Don’t Sleep’ by Lil Keke (because songs on that album inspired the name 713 Magazine), and my favorite Houston artist is either Travis Scott, Lil Keke, Slim Thug or Maxo Kream depending on how I’m feeling haha.
What should we expect from you and 713 Magazine in the future?
More content, more shows, more EVERYTHING. I’m turning this shit up.
What would you tell someone who is trying to start their own publication?
DON'T LISTEN TO SHIT ANYONE SAYS TO YOU JUST DO YOU! I had people laugh at me, I had people make fun of my ideas and tell me I can't do this cause I’m too young, I’m white and all other types of bullshit. Just don't listen to it just believe in yourself and give all praise to God and everything else will follow.