Steve Brockley Band
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2009
Music
Press
When you see the image of moose antlers strapped to the grille of a late model automobile, you get a certain number of images - none of which involve teeth. Such an image couldn't be more left of centre because, as you listen to these 10 feel-good originals, there's no question as to where the beef is. The B.C. born Brockley formed this rootsy trio out of Montreal and LeBoeuf is a delightfully laid back affair combining the talents of acoustic bassist Kevin Bertram and drummer/mandolinist Leon Power, Brockley adding vocals and guitar. Self-billed as "greasy folk music", this second release has much more than this might suggest. The effervescent Brockley could carry these sturdy originals with his singing and guitar playing alone. You can hear this in See You Again, subtly supported by Tyson Naylor on organ. Yet the choice of fleshing out the sound with a simpatico rhythm section, adding certain spices with guests playing anything from fiddle, banjo, pedal steel, and various backup vocals, defines Brockley's sound as something more substantial. The singer/songwriter intro to Captain Joe depicts this difference, as the band enters to transform the composition into its dramatic, near-anthemic, final state. Brockley may tout Classic Car as a choice cut but Letter serves as something extra special to these ears. Sure, it's a tad reminiscent of John Prine's Sam Stone, but that's not a bad thing. The band's Lost in the City is another powerful track that showcases Brockley's calm, gentle voice, the soft effect of the upright bass and solid percussion, and a slight edge to Brockley's electric guitar. The final track suggests back porch Appalachia with its simple melody, banjo and fiddle. Great beer drinking music and a mellow mood maker whenever the night calls for it, LeBoeuf delivers. Whatever it is you want from life, Brockley & CO. are going to give you some. This is a band who'd be great to see perform live.
-By Eric Thom - Penguin Eggs
Brockley's well-crafted songs and gently melodic vocal style are easy on the ear. His sparse 'less is more' ethic is refreshing in these days of frenetic folk-roots sounds - New Canadian Music
His album, crafted in the riff-filled, storytelling tradition of legends like Johnny Cash, is beyond his years.
- Natalie Appleton, Morning Star - Vernon Morning Star
Steve Brockley - Steve Brockley EP
2008, Steve Brockley
Steve Brockley is a folk singer/songwriter with the meanest finger-pick guitar style I've heard in some time. The Montreal, Canada resident has a punk Arlo Guthrie aura about him. He displays a distinct talent for story telling set to music and writes gorgeous backgrounds for his musical poetry. On his self-titled Steve Brockley EP, Brockley offers up 4 outstanding tracks in the form of introduction.
Late Night Nancy would seem to describe the arc of a nonpareil dysfunctional relationship and is a classic story song. Gold seems to play on the same themes as Robert Frost's Nothing Gold Can Stay. The melody is memorable and Brockley's voice brings a homey feel -- you can picture sitting around a kitchen fire in Appalachia with the warmth of fire, grog and friends. Dress Me Up continues in the vein of classic story songs and adds in a blues accent. The EP closes with Nickels and Dimes, which includes a guitar played in a blues style that mimics slide guitar. This is musically the most interesting song on the disc and my personal favorite.
Steve Brockley should be big draw on the folk circuit in the coming years. He's the kind of performer who could take a place like Falcon Ridge by storm. I highly recommend this EP as a classic example of roots music. A must-have!
Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)
- Wildy's World
Folk has a new name and that name is Steve Brockley. Throughout his 4 well constructed tracks, an overall almost perfect mix of blues & folk with a slight touch of pop, Brockley clearly demonstrates he is no amateur and could easily (but modestly) teach a trick or two to many old folksters.
His EP has it all: simple but effective lyrics, and just amount of emotion in his voice and strong guitar playing.
After just one spin, the first notes of Late Night Nancy will dig their way into your brain and for once, there is a song you won't want out of your mind.
I dare to say that Brockley's like a strip-teaser, slowly revealing his musical charms. You know he's hiding something even more exciting but he doesn't show it all at once.
And that makes you want to shove 10$ bills into his guitar case to force him to reveal more! Let's just hope he won't be a tease and will enchant us will a full-length album soon enough.
Josie-Anne Huard
Radio host Univers Folk - CHOQ.Fm
- CHOQ. FM
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
With the 2014 summer festival season wrapped-up, Steve Brockley Band have begun work towards heading back into the studio in the new year. Since the 2013 release of their 2nd album, "LeBoeuf", produced by John Raham (Be Good Tanyas, Frazey Ford), the BC-based trio hit the road for 4 separate Cross-Canada tours, showcased at NXNE in Toronto, Folk Alliance International in Kansas City and played at several summer festivals.
There's been plenty of critical buzz surrounding LeBoeuf with Saskatoon's Planet S Magazine saying, "LeBoeuf sees Brockley and his bandmates displaying a more mature sound that strikes a balance between swagger and narrative." And according to the Vancouver Music Review, "[Steve Brockley Band] reminds me of the charmingly clever lyrics of Jeremy Fisher but with a more Southern drawl. If youre into Canadiana country folk, this is the band for you....." And Penguin Eggs Magazine calling LeBoeuf "a delightfully laid back affair."
The Steve Brockley Band can't easily be defined by one sound or musical genre. Though it is apparent that the band is part of the tradition of folk music, they're able to take the style in new directions without making the audience feel uprooted. The band draws varied comparisons in their music ranging from: J.J. Cale, Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan and The Band. Getting to the heart of a song is their main goal. Not just digging into the notes, but nailing those spaces in between the notes. When youve got a good song, you want to let it breathe. A percussive bass swagger, drum grooves from the gut, and a rolling finger picked guitar bring their brand of folk music to life. Theres no rush to the end of a song, the main thing is not to hurry, so nothing good gets away. And that's what the Steve Brockley Band does best.
Band Members
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