Brenn

Brenn's new 5-song EP entitled Stack of Fears is an outstanding snapshot of this Nashville band's immense talent. Brenn offers indie alternative rock that is a delicious blend of early U2 (think October), Coldplay, and Depeche Mode. Singer Joel Larabell has a beautifully soaring voice that is easily comparable to the likes of Bono and Chris Martin. Guitarist Jonny Gradone can play his ass off, and the production on Stack of Fears rightly highlights Gradone's ability to blend straight-ahead rock riffs with hair-raising guitar solos. These guys lack nothing, as frontman Larabell can hold his own on piano, and Gradone delivers pitch-perfect backing vocals as strong as any provided by U2's The Edge, and the band's live show is on par with the big arena shows.

All that said, the question remains whether Brenn is merely duplicating what's already been done, or bringing something new to the table. Stack of Fears proves the latter. While all 5 songs are just about perfect, track 3's "Worth Your While" is nothing short of brilliant. If there's one song that captures Brenn's developing signature sound it's this one, as Larabell and Gradone offer cathedral-esque harmonies while the band crescendos into a full-on rock anthem, only to bring it down and then begin again--it's brilliant music. And while Coldplay's Chris Martin continues to be ridiculed for his shallow lyrics, Larabelle's writing is poetic and mature--offering just the right amount of abstraction to hook everyone listening. Look, after seeing these guys live this writer declared Brenn the next band to change the world. Okay, maybe this was overstated. But this EP confirms that Brenn is a super-power, just waiting to be discovered by the world. Do yourself a favor and get Stack of Fears. Fans of Coldplay, U2, Oasis, Depeche Mode, will find much to like here.

— Vincent Wynne, December 4, 2008 - ListenNashville

“With lush keyboards, soft vocals, and atmospheric electrics, Brenn is stealing the attention of the Nashville music scene and the hearts of each new listener.” - Nylon Magazine

What started with an eviction notice has now swirled into a band that strives to portray an ultra lush melodic rock sound.

Close friends and partners in crime, the members of the Nashville, Tenn. based band Brenn all met in college and have spent the past few years experimenting with a sound that proves to be ambient and pop driven.

Originally using the name "From Brenda, with love" (in dedication to their previous landlord who handed them their eviction notice on Christmas) the members of Brenn credit influential artists such as Mew, MUSE, Coldplay and Ryan Adams to helping them create a uniquely intricate sound.

Their strength, however, is not just in their music.

"We're all best friends," drummer Chuck Starks said.

"It's more than just our music, it's about companionship."

With a strong bond of friendship, they have formed a strong connection as musicians.



"When we play live, it's a different world. It's emotional," Starks said.

Promising music fans a wild live performance, Brenn will take the stage this Friday at Dinkins ATS Cafe at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 with your Winthrop ID and $7 for the public.

- The Johnsonian-Winthrop University

Add Brenn to the Growing list of Outstanding Nashville Indie Rock Acts

Nashville-based indie rock quartet Brenn was the opening act for headliners (and fellow Nashvillians) Paper Route Friday night at the Exit/In, and their set left me with this thought: "note to self—add Brenn to your short list of bands that will change the world." These guys are that good. Together since 2004, Brenn has steadily built a dedicated following throughout the United States as a result of their crisp ambient studio work (reminiscent of Coldplay and U2), which is securing loads of college-radio airplay, as well as their dynamic live performances that showcase tight harmonies, stellar guitar-work, and a superb rhythm section.

Singer Joel Larabell is gifted with the rare ability to infuse a warm Brit-pop melancholy vibe into everything he sings. From hushed ambient melodies to pitch-perfect falsettos to edgy emotional screams (à la Ryan Adams), Larabell delivers it all with a uniquely warm style that is always a pleasure to hear. He sometimes channels the jazzy melancholy of Chet Baker, then soars into a Chris Martin-esque falsetto and, when appropriate, delivers emotional screams that land perfectly atop chiming ambient guitars. To be sure, guitarist Jonny Gradone achieves a tone similar to U2's The Edge and Pink Floyd's David Gilmore, but can also speed up the pace if necessary. Gradone's backing vocals are worth mentioning as well, as he provides solid harmonies for frontman Larabell. Drummer Chuck Starks holds it all together rhythmically while appearing, at times, as though he's about to come out of his seat—Keith Moon style. The entire package makes for a high-energy performance that combines the ambience and soaring melodies of U2 with the edgy unpredictability of Ryan Adams.

Look for more live shows as well as a full-length LP from Brenn in early 2008. Brenn's music is well-written and well-played, and they should become a household name in the near future. While there's currently a heavy dose of energetic "sugar high" rock music coming out of middle Tennessee, most of this music will last about as long as the sugar high that fuels it. Brenn, however, is creating music that has depth and longevity. Check these guys out asap! —Vincent Wynne

- listennashville.com

Imagine yourself on a blanket on a lawn on a summer evening. You're fully aware that someone is about to set off fireworks. With a raised eyebrow and sarcastic tone, you're thinking, "Oh yeah, this should be fun." The first box of explosives is a dud, but then the next box actually begins to rattle. You look up and see streams of orange and white become multi-colored flourishes expanding as you hear shrieks and booms. You also hear the people around you. "Oooooohhh." "Ahhhhhhh." "That was my favorite." "That's so beautiful." By the next round, you are chiming in as if you are a fearless 8-year-old. When the show is over, you are full of awe.

Fireworks.

That's what Brenn reminds me of.

They are enigmatic, intense and provocative – not your everyday bottle rocket or sparkler – but rather a pyrotechnics dream of spirals, comets, bursts and crackles. Each track on their Come Back To Aria EP features a curiosity-seizing unpredictability of "Where are they going with this? How could this possibly get any better?"

Come Back To Aria offers soaring guitar, intimate keys, driving bass, sanity-questioning taps, fluttering electronic whooshes and gentle yet forceful vocals clamoring for your consideration. The music and lyrics are comparable to that of a supportive friend's hand on your shoulder during a lapse in optimism. "Be What We Can" comforts a new, hesitant relationship, while "Thomas" reminds us to just breathe.

The two must-hear tracks have to be "I Like You I Do" and "Rooms." The first is simply an ingenious achievement of atmosphere – you can hear heartstrings reverberating while maintaining a steady pulse. The second is a study in tone, tempo and structure. I would love to write a video concept for it involving time-lapse technology of a building going up, the band playing on the roof, then falling through people's apartments and offices as the building collapses. Overall, they are engineers of sonic and aural landscapes akin to Muse, Radiohead and Coldplay.

Most of Brenn's songs have those "wait-for-it" and "a-ha" moments. A wait-for-it moment is when the song is in its plateau stage, unbeknownst to you. You think it's nearly over then boom! The band brings it back stronger and better than you ever could have predicted. An a-ha moment is when you hear a short melodic fragment that hooks you, most of the time in the beginning, and you are eager for them to bring it back toward the end, to bring the song full circle. When they do, a-ha, there it is. I love those moments in music.

I once overheard a girl say that Brenn makes music to make-out to. False claims have been made against me as well, in that I like Brenn because they are attractive fellas. Both statements are true in their own way. Make-out music is not a terrible assessment, just an extrinsic one. Dig a little deeper and there's no easy love there, but one that has to be coddled. Kissing is easy, the plausible emotion isn't. As for me, while the members of Brenn are four hot guys, level of attractiveness has never been a key factor in my music tastes. I mean, I love The Cure, but Robert Smith is not exactly my type of dude.

Band mates Joel Larabell (vocals, keys), Jonny Gradone (guitar), Ryan Herrmann (bass) and Chuck Starks (drums) met while attending Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. In 2005, they formed From Brenda With Love, the namesake in dedication to a facetious landlord. The name has since been shortened to Brenn, and a bird logo has been adopted. Jonny further explained the Brenn could refer to many different things such as an island in the Chronicles of Narnia, a World War II light machine gun or "some girl that was each of our lover at one point in time. At least that's what I say … anyway, it's a name, its short and sweet and we like it."

They've since toured relentlessly and have been easily accepted by the local college radio stations before even arriving for the sound check. Live, they writhe and boomerang with every confession. I've seen Joel stomp his size-10 boots so intensely that I anticipated a hole in the stage, Ryan unleash a reluctant pogo, Jonny play while lying on the ground and spinning and Chuck, while a bit constrained behind his kit, stand and pound the mf'ers with all his might.

I asked Jonny about their songwriting process.

"Our song process has changed and is changing right now. Music usually came first in the process. As we get older as a band, we are starting to focus more on lyrics and melodies. I personally think that is the foundation for any song and what makes people come back to a song. We are still and probably will always be trying to find what works best for us. I like to keep it as organic and unforced as possible. The good thing about the four of us is that we have two good starters, Joel and Chuck, and two good finishers, Ryan and me."

Then I caved and asked the loaded question, "Where in the hell did you guys learn all this?"

As it turns out, Jonny is the only player with a few years of guitar under his belt. The others began learning just before Brenn. They are currently considering taking lessons in order enhance their abilities. That astonishes me. They sound more mature and classically trained as if they were born with instruments in hand.

The new songs, that have premiered online and at shows, are definitive of their growth and potential. "Vakate" has a stellar ending that, again, you won't be expecting. Joel adds a few good whoa-oh-oh's in "Secret Mission." But "City Lights" is Chuck's song. His triple-threat kicks own it. While delivering my compliments, he told me that he wrote it while in Pittsburg and missing Nashville.

What's next for Brenn? After the new album is complete, I predict more touring, a SXSW gig and an invite to the Reading or Glastonbury festivals. Lofty? Maybe. Possible? Definitely. - nashvillerock.net