Brandon Shoop wakes up late. Not surprising for someone who spends nights in the studio producing tracks for artists like Dijon and Syd, or drumming for the alt-rock/rap group Junior Varsity. But what happens after he rolls out of bed—that's where the day actually starts.

Shower. Skincare routine. Coffee. In that order. Every time.

"I'd say I usually wake up late, roll out of bed, shower, do my skin routine which definitely wakes me up for the day," Brandon explains. "And then going to get coffee is a great start, maybe a cruise for a bit before coming back to write."

For a producer working with some of the most exciting names in contemporary music, the rhythm of his morning might seem surprisingly simple. But that's exactly the point.

The Work: Where Creativity Meets Collaboration

Brandon Shoop isn't just one thing—he's a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and the drummer for Junior Varsity. Signed to Rogét Chahayed and Kobalt for publishing, he's built an impressive resume of collaborations and production credits that would make most musicians twice his age envious.

His production work spans artists like Dijon, Syd, Lucky Dane, ill peach, Cautious Clay, Elio, and Quinn XCII. He frequently collaborates with heavy hitters in the industry—Rogét Chahayed, Rodaidh McDonald, Mark Foster, Cleo Tighe, Teezo Touchdown, Princess Nokia, and more. He's currently ranked in the top 1% of both producers and songwriters, a testament to the quality and volume of work he's putting out.

Beyond production, he's also a DJ and is preparing to launch his solo artist project, Shoopy, in 2025. It's the kind of schedule that would overwhelm most people. But Brandon has found a way to balance the chaos: ground it in routine.

Finding Inspiration in the Ordinary

Ask Brandon where he finds inspiration, and he won't point you to exotic locations or profound experiences. Instead, he'll tell you about the coffee shop down the street.

"I find inspiration mostly in menial daily routines," he says. "Getting coffee, grocery store, meeting with friends, talking to family, etc."

It's a perspective that feels refreshing in an industry obsessed with the extraordinary. While other artists chase big moments and dramatic inspiration, Brandon finds creativity in the spaces between—the conversations at the grocery store, the drive to get coffee, the quiet moments with family.

His musical influences reflect a similar appreciation for artists who find depth in everyday emotion. Bon Iver, The 1975, The Smiths, Gorillaz, and Arthur Russell—each known for turning ordinary feelings into extraordinary sound.

"Usually, I start with a sound I'm really intrigued by or a lyric I come across, or even sometimes some simple chords and trying to land something over that," he explains. The process isn't complicated. It's observational, patient, grounded in the same kind of attention he brings to his daily routines.

The Journey: From Journey to Junior Varsity

Brandon's relationship with music started early, shaped by his father's constant rotation of Journey in the house. But it wasn't until college that he realized production was an actual career path.

"I remember my dad playing Journey constantly in my house growing up, and then going to college for music, I realized being a producer was a thing," he recalls. "Being able to go back and dissect those songs I grew up on with a producer ear was really special."

That ability to deconstruct and understand what makes a song work—not just emotionally, but technically—became the foundation of his career. Now, whether he's producing for established artists or drumming for Junior Varsity, that analytical ear guides everything he creates.

But recently, Brandon has been shifting his approach. Instead of getting lost in the technical complexity that production allows, he's been simplifying.

"I think I've actually been going backwards a bit," he admits. "Instead of focusing on sounds so much as a producer does, I've been trying to sit down with an instrument and see if I can write a song entirely. And make something as simple as can be."

It's a creative philosophy that mirrors his approach to daily life: cut through the noise, focus on what matters, make it simple and effective.

Fighting Creative Blocks: Pivot, Don't Force

Creative blocks are inevitable when you're working at Brandon's pace. But his approach to handling them is unconventional.

"Maybe a contrary opinion but I don't really think they exist that often until you actually give into them and stop making stuff," he says. "The way for me is to just pivot my mind creatively into a hobby outside of music like welding, furniture building, etc."

Instead of forcing himself through the block or taking time off entirely, Brandon shifts his creative energy elsewhere. Welding. Furniture building. Physical work that engages his hands and mind in a different way. The music doesn't stop—it just moves to the background while his brain resets.

When he comes back to the studio, the block has usually resolved itself. Not through confrontation, but through redirection.

The Morning Ritual: Simple Essentials That Work

Back to the morning. After waking up late, the routine is non-negotiable: shower, skincare, coffee.

For Brandon, the COMUNE Essentials Face Cleanser has become an integral part of that wake-up process. It's not about luxury or an elaborate routine—it's about something simple that works and prepares him for the day ahead.

"Do my skin routine which definitely wakes me up for the day," he explains. In those few minutes between sleep and studio, the cleanser does exactly what it's supposed to do: clean effectively, wake up his skin, and get him mentally ready to create.

There's no overthinking involved. No 10-step process. Just a straightforward essential that fits into the rhythm of his morning. For someone producing for high-level artists and preparing to launch a solo project, simplicity in his personal routine creates space for complexity in his creative work.

The Cycle: Create, Ground, Repeat

After coffee and a drive around LA, Brandon heads back to write. Maybe he's working on a track for a collaborator. Maybe he's developing material for Shoopy. Maybe he's sitting down with Junior Varsity to work through new ideas for the band.

The work varies, but the approach stays consistent: start simple, find the intriguing sound or lyric, build from there. And when the creative well runs dry, pivot to welding or furniture building until the music calls him back.

It's a rhythm built on routine and flexibility. Grounded mornings that prepare for unpredictable creative days. Simple essentials—whether it's a face cleanser or a simple chord progression—that create space for complexity when it matters.

"I'd say I usually wake up late, roll out of bed, shower, do my skin routine which definitely wakes me up for the day and then going to get coffee is a great start, maybe a cruise for a bit before coming back to write," Brandon says.

The cycle continues. Wake up. Clean up. Coffee up. Create. Repeat.

Why This Matters

Brandon Shoop represents what COMUNE Project is about: celebrating people who embrace the rawness and imperfections of everyday life and use it to push creative boundaries. He doesn't need elaborate rituals or complicated processes. He needs essentials that work so he can focus on what he does best—creating music that connects.

His morning routine with the COMUNE Essentials Face Cleanser isn't just about skincare. It's about building a foundation that supports everything else. Simple, effective, no overthinking required. Just like his approach to music, just like his approach to life.

From the shower to the studio, from Journey to Junior Varsity, from LA coffee shops to top production credits—Brandon Shoop has built a career on finding creativity in the everyday and making something as simple as can be.

And it starts every morning the same way: wake up late, shower, skincare routine, coffee. Then create.