Bryan Elijah Smith

It’s a pleasure and a rare one to boot to watch an artist continually get better. For most, the lifetime of backlogged creative exuberance on debuts and early recordings are the high water mark of their career. There are exceptions, often found in musicians who regard what they do as a work-in-progress, the long view informing every step. Bryan Elijah Smith is this sort, a precociously mature singer-songwriter marbled with a restless drive to refine and reinforce every good aspect of what he does....This feels young and modern but it has some of the same general public appeal and assured swing that AM radio had in its 60s/70s heyday. Songs like “Roses & Wardens,” the title cut, and “Run Around” are the sort most folks will dig right away and then want to return to again and again. The free spirited cover shot of Smith’s grandmother – who the album is dedicated to – neatly hints at the joie de vivre and gusto for a life that burns brightly inside this album. One imagines that lady would be proud of her radio-ready troubadour descendent. - Dennis Cook - dirtyimpound (Feb 7th, 2013)

...here’s a perfect fit between the endless plays of Kings of Leon and The Strokes tunes. Bryan Elijah Smith has the same knack for hook-laden, energizing, populist wooing pop-rock as these established brands, and frankly this one is catchier than a lot of their songs...The scenes of a scruffy Bryan lustily mangling his guitar remind us of those filthy Calvin Klein ads in the 90s that got pulled...So, with this artist you get both Teen Beat potential and a tune you can dig. What’s not to like? - Dennis Cook - dirtyimpound (May 24th, 2013)

"When I heard his stuff on line, I knew his sound and style would be perfect but I had no idea how talented a writer and gifted a voice he really is and has. From the moment he sang his first tune at sound check...I was hooked. "
- John Kelly - Singer-songwriter & Owner of the Hideaway Cafe in St. Pete, FL (Jul 06, 2009)

I had the good fortune to meet Bryan when he entered our Shenandoah Valley Acoustic Roots Songwriting Contest, which by the way, he won. But forget about the contest for a moment. Bryan is a phenomenal young talent. He’s a fine performer, with a wonderful voice, and he can pick a guitar like nobody's business. But it's his songwriting that amazes me. Rarely will you find a man this young, whose lyrics are so rich, thoughtful, and penetrating. Bryan is the real deal. I’ve booked him for the 2010 Shenandoah River Songfest, an invitation-only event. I can’t wait for our crowd to hear him.

(Nov 2009)
- Pops Walker - Singer/Songwriter, and host of: Shenandoah River Songfest & Shenandoah Valley Acoustic

“Still reeling from the incredible performance by Bryan Elijah Smith tonight. It's the type of music that makes you want to drink bourbon, that fills a bar like smoke, that makes you proud to live in Virginia while it paints mountains and freight trains and the faces of lost lovers in your mind.” - The Camel (music venue) - Richmond, VA (Aug 16, 2010)

"Late at night and into the early morning, you could always find Moore holding court on the deck near the Jam Room with his extremely talented songwriting partner Bryan Elijah Smith." - Scott Bernstein - glidemagazine.com (Feb 10, 2011)

"One is quickly struck by what good songs they’re hearing and how well handled...one encounters a lively craftsmanship-minded music that’s contemporary but with sturdy roots dipping into much older traditions, crooning..." - Dennis Cook - dirtyimpound & jambase.com (April 19, 2012)

"xoxo g" - www.myspace.com/bryanelijahsmith (FEB 12, 2009)

"One More Time revealed itself as one of 2011's best releases...Only in his mid 20s, Bryan Elijah Smith appears to be shot out of a creative cannon. This energy has been fully captured on One More Time." - Jim Markel - swampland.com (April 2, 2012)

If you're looking for great songwriting, smooth vocals, and guitar prowess, book him if you're an agent. If you're simply a music fan, go to one of his shows, and buy his CD.
- Pops Walker - Singer/Songwriter, and host of: Shenandoah River Songfest & Shenandoah Valley Acoustic

"Nathan (Moore) has collaborated with some real heavyweights and comers (notably, The Slip and Big Light) but co-producer Bryan Elijah Smith may be the best creative foil he’s ever had. The instrumentation and mix are just right, and no hand is played too hard or obviously, the tunes flowing as gracefully as a creek over stones, breaking on the shore with a sigh and then moving ever-onward.." - Dennis Cook (Feb 14, 2011)

"Bryan Elijah Smith hails from Dayton, Virginia and
has an eclectic range of influences making his sound a very original derivative of mainstream
American folk music."

4.02.2009 - www.Paul-Kelleher.com

"Albuquerque put out two albums and an EP last year, all before the current lineup formed. And those albums aren’t glorified EPs: the most recent “Nuclear” has 22 tracks, all original except a [one] cover..."

"His Prince-like productivity is nothing special.... “It’s just what I do. I milk cows and I write music,” he [Smith] says."

7.13.2006 - RocktownWeekly.com By Martin Cizmar

"He played an hour and a half of his own tunes and few classics form Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan...I think he sold everyone in the room a 17 song CD of his own tunes and even got up for a 5 song encore... Don't miss out on this kid.... he really is something."
- John Kelly , (Jul 06, 2009)