brae

Brandon ‘Brae” Husken spent years as a drummer in Michigan’s music scene before growing weary from yet another failed musical endeavour. That’s when he decided to change his musical direction and began songwriting and composing music in a more personal setting.

The band features Adam Serruys (acoustic/electric), Jason Warnke (keyboards), Jon Sheard (electric guitar) and Takashi Iio (bass).

This is another one of those bands that you stumble across and get these feelings of extreme joy and pleasure erupting through your body – this is mainly due to the fact that you have discovered a new band that you could see taking the world by storm. ‘Another Time and Place’ is a melodromatic pop song with indie tendencies streaming through the veins – if you could imagine Grizzly Bear and Camera Obscura forming a super group the result would be Brae. While we are on the point of Grizzly Bear, you reminisce of their smash hit ‘Two Weeks’ while listening to this particular song – this is mainly down to the repetitive keyboard line featured in both tracks. There is also an Americana alt-rock style seeping through in this song – the acoustic guitar and lead guitar in the pre-chorus shouts Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown. If you were to compare the vocals to any other band in the world, it would have to be alt-rock band Wintersleep – grungey, yet poppy. There is also a very smooth and wavey organ sound throughout the duration of the song, which adds a warm and stylistic addition to the track. The chorus itself is very interesting – it doesn’t really adhere to a normal song writing style that you would expect to find in a song like this – it’s a chorus you would expect to find in a more grunge/punk styled band – it works perfectly though!

There is an interesting mix of genres here and they amalgamate beautifully – very impressive stuff!
- Boost The Music - U.K.

It’s a Friday night in Pontiac and the musicians began setting up in the loft of a larger venue. It’s the CD release show for a band called Brae. Other than the acts of the night, select few are present. Some are conversing. Some are loafing on flimsy stools. Along the coast of the bar the wood flooring has been worn particularly dark by the thirst of thousands of patrons prior. About a half an hour until doors open and calmly, the equipment is tested with the repetitive strum, beat or, “Check, one, two”. At the front of the stage is a bearded man nearing 40 dressed in shadowy hues. His name is Brandon Husken and he is the front man for the headlining band. He stood as he beat his drum set, looking mesmerized by the cause and effect. He spoke into a microphone arched from the floor up over his head (an Inspector Gadget-like feature to the stage). He has dark eyes and dark, wiry shoulder-length hair. If the venue were any dimmer, he might as well have blended in.

After the sound check is completed Husken walks into a quieter area to talk. Past the line of fans purchasing tickets and past a room chock-full of instruments. As he finished explaining his recent bout with a cold, he swooped himself below a rope and strolled into a largely empty room with the exception of a giant jukebox.

“I hope this is okay,” Husken said, apologetic there was no quiet nook in a rock concert venue.

As we spoke, people gathered for the release of “Another Time Another Place” — Husken and Brae’s third album since 2008. It is an indie rock album with an almost folksy feel to it and has more instrumental dimension than the previous release. On stage for the night is a cello, a violin, keyboards, guitar (acoustic and electric), a bass and a backup singer — quite the lineup for such a small stage but everyone managed to fit and fit their part beautifully. This more folksy instrumentation is what Husken calls an “earthy feel.” But “Another Time Another Place” cannot simply be defined by its change in orchestral lineup but rather in its lyrical deepness.

“It’s about life and life experiences,” Husken said. “I try not to get into detail about what a song means to me because what I have found is people find their own interpretations of my music … and while it might not be what I had planned, I’m glad it made a connection with them.”

Like any good author, Husken allows listeners to absorb the lyrics and melodies and make their own meaning. For him, it’s a storytelling tool; one that can be manipulated and shaped to fit any theme. A consistent theme for Brae is one of the underdog — and perhaps, that’s just what Husken is.

“I started playing drums when I was about 15,” Husken said. “But I had no intentions of singing lead until about 2008.”

With no formal musical training, Brae’s front man learned to imitate and shape art into something more personal. Raised in Sterling Heights, Husken had a steady musical diet of bands like The Beatles and Genesis.

“I think my musical taste and my direction is probably a reflection of what I’ve listened to all my life,” Husken said. “I think little moments of that all come out in me.”

It seems that both Husken and Brae are a complex collage of musical styles and experiences glued together into one solid presentation.

“Playing onstage is getting easier,” Husken said. “When I first started it was really chaotic. I was always listening to things that were going wrong and not really trying to just live in the moment.”

Leaned up against a tall table in the room with the lonely jukebox, he looked beyond his thick, black framed glasses. He looked a little tired. It could have been the dim lighting or his recent sickness or perhaps the parenting of three children. His mind was running.

“When I was younger I always hoped to have that record deal,” Husken said. “The older I get, the more reality kind of creeps in. I’m still holding out hope that that might be.”

He thanked me for our conversation and said he will be nursing over a hot cup of tea until show time. His throat still bothered him. But as he and his numerous accompanying artists took stage, the dark left Husken and he seemed worry free.

The venue was packed with hardly enough room to move between merchandise tables and the bar. These were faces he knew and loved. They were here to celebrate Brae’s accomplishment. Husken’s face changed and absorbed every vibration of the drum. He emphasized movements just a little bit more as he swayed with every kick of the kick drum. He sang with just a little more affection and his eyes pressed tightly closed, tears nearly willing their way from each corner. - Grand Central Magazine

Beautiful and extremely addictive track here from Brae aka Brandon Husken. As an ex-drummer this musician decided to go solo in 2008, forming Brae on his own with different musicians helping him out recording his 1st two albums and doing live-shows with him. In 2011 he recruited a more steady base around him and nowadays Brae is a more 'regular' band, with a total of 5 members. This Friday they'll be releasing Brae's 3rd album, the 1st real band album. This one song is addictive as hell and has dominated most of the stereo today. Can't wait to hear the entire thing this weekend! - Plugin Baby

It’s not often a drummer turns into a talented singer/songwriter. This week’s Needle in the Haystack artist, Brae spent almost 20 years drumming before he realized he wanted more musically. Now a singer-songwriter, Brae’s released two full-length albums in the last two years—the more recently in March.

When listening to Brae’s music, you’ll hear the drummer influence right away. His music is very rhythm centric. Even the melodic lines have a unique rhythmic feel to them that keep the songs interesting. Overall, the music is laid back and easy going. It’s great to listen to when you’re relaxing and have a moment to absorb some thoughtful and sincere lyrics. “Planks and Haystacks”, the first track on his most recent album, Eating at the World, is one of our favorite tracks on the album. The title alone is certainly appropriate for this week of promotion. We love the song, but don’t take our word for it. Brae is allowing us to offer a free track for download below. Stay tuned for more of this great artist to come this week. - Ourstage

Brae is a singer/songwriter project formed by local drummer Brandon Husken and Another Time and Place (self-released) is his debut album. If a singer/songwriter project formed by a drummer sounds like a nightmare, then I can relate. I was dreading playing this stuff, but it just goes to show how wrong assumptions can be. Husken’s writing is magnificent, both lyrically and in terms of melody. The songs are blessed with a subtle pop brilliance that is Brae’s secret weapon. Love it. - Metro Times

What's so good?
Who knew that this single is from Brae’s third full-length album? Apparently under the radar, Brandon Husken (lead singer & multi-instrumentalist) is ready to spread the word about Brae and all its greatness, and I’m listening loud and clear.

“Another Time and Place” is taken from Brae’s upcoming album of the same name which drops on January 27. This single is the epitome of a well-rounded folk-pop anthem, with a mellow and heart-wrenching undertone. Fast-paced drums, intricate electric guitar, classically strummed acoustic guitar, punchy keys, slithering bass, and, of course, a tambourine all make up the perfect recipe for a brilliantly constructed indie folk classic. If Brae hasn’t caught on in the music scene yet, I bet they’ll be catching some steam soon.

Brandon Husken’s vocals are beautifully accompanied with female harmonies which thickens the overall theme. The lyrics are uplifting, empowering, wise, and open for interpretation — elements that I find are the most relatable in music.

If you’re feeling Brae’s debut single then keep a look out for their third album, Another Time and Place, set to release on January 27. - Indie Shuffle

Brae is Brandon Husken, who’s been in the music scene for 22 years but has recently rediscovered himself as a singer/songwriter. His forthcoming album, Another Time and Place, marks his third full length as Brae, but it’s his first real effort into getting the word out there about the project. Husken is a multi-instrumentalist, specializing as a drummer, though he employs eight of his friends on the album to help with varied instrumentation.

Another Time and Place, out January 27, is probably best suited for the turn of winter to spring, as it has a mellow folk-pop flair. The kind that you want to listen to on your porch as you watch your grass and trees finally return to green. (It’s always funny to me living in NYC and talking about grass and porches and whatnot…but I have the same seasonal feelings!) Enjoy the title track below. - Knox Road