Meet Bram Bessoff | Producer, Drummer, Creator, Collaborator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bram Bessoff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bram, what are you inspired by?
Collaboration! Ever since I can remember I wanted to be in a band. Born a drummer, as I was told by my parents, kicking to the beat of Jesus Christ Superstar in the womb. Beyond my passion for music, over the years I have realized what I truly love is the creation of something incredible from the sum of different parts put together – working in harmony. Musically, when several musicians play a note together it is infinitely more powerful and glorious sounding than anyone one single musician playing that note alone. The same holds true for just about anything we as humans create. I often find myself alluding to this concept when referring to any collaborative process whether creative or business oriented.

I always said if I wasn’t making music, I’d be making movies and if not that, I’d be doing something related to outer space. All of which require collaboration to be successful. And all of which I have at some point in my career touched upon, although not always successfully. I remain involved in the music industry helping artists develop their careers with a passion for producing their live shows. Aerospace has come and gone for me, but I remain heavily steeped in film. What I love best about film is the level of collaboration it requires to complete a production. It’s that special feeling you get when the sum is greater than the parts – the same feeling I get being onstage or in the studio with my bandmates.

As a drummer, I never felt the need to be the frontman. Although I am quite comfortable in the lead position (especially in front of a crowd) and certainly embraced my past experiences as president of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and Back Stage Economic Alliance – I enjoy being the right hand equally as much. It’s in my DNA. Often it is the drummer and the principal songwriter/frontman that starts the band. That’s what I do… start bands. The term “band” is my personal metaphor for any collaborative endeavor including but not limited to a company, film studio, agency or any other type of organization. When each member is in sync/concert with the others, amazing things happen. The result of which, whether potential or realized, is what inspires me most, driving me to create with like-minded others always striving to set the bar somewhere well above GREAT! For me… No matter what I’m doing, it’s all about being in “The Band.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always had one foot in the arts and the other in technology. My thirty plus year long “Mash-Up” career stemmed from the decision to go to college for advertising in the hopes I would make lots of money using my artistic talents. But my secret passion was to start a band. Which I did five minutes after my parents left me at Syracuse University when I went up a half flight of stairs to find my life-long musical collaborator.

After graduating, we planned to do a two week tour across New York when our bass player disappeared. He called soon after to say he moved to Atlanta but we should come as life was amazing, inexpensive and music was everywhere. We did. Reformed the band and toured 150 plus shows a year for seven years all while holding down full time jobs as we held out for that major label deal. It never came.

Despite the many successes we had as independent artists, the band broke up. I went into tour and artist management leading me to start Indiehitmaker – the first company to help independent artists get on the Billboard charts from reporting their live show sales. We got many to number one with big plans to revolutionize the industry through technology only to get beat out by AtVenu. After learning the all-too-important “Minimum Viable Product” lesson, I began sitting on boards, led a few non-profit organizations and stumbled my way into the world of politics and real estate where I found my next key collaborator. We joined the mission to bring tax credits to Georgia’s music industry in effort to emulate the success film tax credits had on boosting our entertainment economy that ultimately established Georgia as the Hollywood of the South.

Our plan was to build a state-of-the-art tour origination facility that along with the tax credit incentives would attract the biggest acts to launch their tours from Georgia making us the entertainment production capital of the world. It was a slow and arduous task that at every turn created better opportunities for film. So we pivoted and began providing alternative soundstages for such productions as Spider-man Homecoming, Stranger Things, the Bad Boys franchise, and Creed III to name a few of the hundreds we serviced for the top film studios in the business.

Our success continues to evolve. As VP of Production for MVP Studios we are focused on moving into IP ownership by producing live immersive experiences, VR and film/television content. I’ve discovered I’m a hell of a screenwriter and all my past experiences have helped me to become a great producer in a myriad of mediums. My past ties and connections have allowed me a source to capital and funding as I grow my enterprise and help others achieve their dreams.

I have ebbed and flowed in my successes over the years, never achieving the level I have desired, but many of have showed me that I have had much success – always on my own terms. Covid hit me hard, I found myself working in the comic book industry the last year to make ends meet as I rebuilt my career in industries decimated by the pandemic.

Today I remain dedicated to film, still help artists develop their musical careers and now adding yet another stem to my mash-up career. I am stepping into the world of commercial real estate development joining forces with yet another collaborator to grow his specialty subcontracting company into a multi-million dollar operation as we pursue our common passion for filmmaking. Who knows where this turn will lead, but I’m excited to find out. My advice and your takeaway… always step through the next door, success awaits us all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
By day: Walk the Beltline and Cabbage Town Street Murals

For a Taste of Atlanta: El Taco Veloz for authentic Carne Asada Tacos along with the best damn Pico De Gallo and chips in town. Hand pulled noodles and Soup Dumplings at New Lan Zhou in Chamblee. Barbeque at Fox Brothers downtown on Decatur Street. For elevated southern cuisine with a sheik style… Two Urban Licks.

For Nightlife: Catch a local indie band at Smith’s Olde Bar (my band’s old haunt) and see a touring act at The Tabernacle. Grab a drink at the Righteous Room and experience a true institution of Atlanta with a stop at the one-and-only Clairmont Lounge for the most unique strip club experience ever.

For Film Production: Tour The Assembly sound stages and mixed-use back lot

For Culture: Visit DOMA (Distillery of Modern Art) to view works of local fine artists as you sip specialty crafted spirits distilled on location

For wow factor: Find your Zen in the main gallery of the Georgia Aquarium

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have had many mentors in my life. It would not be fair to single any one of them out above the others. I have read many books, but the one I pass along as a must read is Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends And Influence People” – it’s one way I try to pay it forward, as I wish someone gave me a copy much earlier in my life.

If I had to pick one person as my shoutout, hands down, it would be my soulmate, best friend and life partner – my wife Anne. She supports me unconditionally, believes in me fully, and is the fuel that burns my passion to continue creating no matter how many setbacks, fails or false starts I encounter. And trust me, there have been plenty, and most likely… many more to come. Never give up!

Website: https://mvpstudioinc.com

Instagram: @bram_rocks

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bram-bessoff-artrd-investment-liaison/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/BramRocks

Other: https://indiehitmaker.com

Image Credits
Joshua Sowemimo