Been at it since MySpace. Still no Grammy, still highly underpaid. Loving every second of it.
Brendan DiStefano [aka QUIETLOVE] quickly found a passion for music at a young age. By middle school, composing, recording, and producing songs by himself became somewhat therapeutic. DiStefano’s persistence caught the attention of Derrick Ross and Gary Slaight, President/CEO of acclaimed music company Slaight Music, signing his first publishing agreement at 17.
Performing at venues of all sizes throughout North America with popular acts such as Tyler Shaw, Virginia to Vegas, Honors (ex-Down With Webster), Tom Cochrane, Tokyo Police Club, The Strumbellas, Maestro Fresh Wes, Neon Dreams, Ryan Beatty, and many more.
Brendan now resides in Toronto and fronts the indie-pop trio, Navigate the Sky, aspiring to collaborate with songwriters abroad and take on more roles in production, co-writing, and film score composition.
After racking up thousands of streams and receiving acclaim from CLOUT, PopWrapped, Idobi Radio, BuzzMusic, and many more, Toronto-bred genre-defying artist QUIETLOVE unveils the music video for ‘Selfies‘ today.
What’s your story as an artist?
Growing up I was a huge fan of local bands and the music scene in my hometown. I got a thrifted acoustic guitar for my 10th birthday (that I asked for). I used to make these horrible instrumental demos on my computer with Audacity and sell them on burnt CD-R’s at lunch in middle school. From MySpace to TikTok. It’s always been a grind, but I love every second of it.
What inspired this last release?
I was in a weird transition phase, where a “situation-ship” I was in ended rather abruptly. It got me thinking — it’s interesting how some people come and go in and out of our lives so quickly. One moment, they mean everything, the next they’re just selfies in our phones… haha!
Do you get inspired by other art forms?
Totally – film is a huge inspiration for me. I always used to imagine music videos or scenes to songs I’d hear as a kid (even now). Without music, movies/film wouldn’t be the same. They’re like peanut butter and jelly, they compliment each other so well y’know?
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?
I remember feeling weird about being so honest with the lyrics and voicemail at the end, and a friend of mine reassured me it’s the best part, haha.
What’s your favorite place or environment to write?
Usually a bedroom or home studio is my favourite, somewhere comfy. Inviting. Writing in big luxurious spaces can sometimes add more pressure to write a big “hit”, in my opinion. I grew up writing in bedrooms so anywhere else feels foreign. Also, everything sounds good in the big fancy studio, but when all the heads are bopping in the bedroom studio, you know it’s gonna hit on the big speakers.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
“Boy In Jeans” by Ryan Beatty will forever be a huge inspiration for me – sonically and emotionally. His use of sound design within the productions had a huge influence on my sound with QUIETLOVE.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
Jon Bellion is one of my favourites that comes to mind first. Love his energy and process, I can relate to him a lot. He also produces a lot of his own records, which is a huge inspiration for me.
What excites you the most about what you do?
Creating something from nothing is a feeling that never gets old for me. That and performing those creations. Hearing the songs you made in a room being sung back to you is worth every single shred of rejection.
What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?
I’ve never wanted to feel bound to one music style. Try it. If it works, it works. It’s you. I grew up listening to everything from Miles Davis to Simple Plan, so diversity was never foreign to me.
What does music and art mean to you?
Everything. It’s my purpose. It’s my therapy. It’s so comforting knowing music and art expression will always be there for us, through the ups and downs.
How would you describe your act in one word?
Genuine.
