James Brant is a natural, soul inspiring, passionate artist who’s ability to take a person through a spiritual, healing journey through the vessel of music, is timeless. Can we run on any more….absolutely. He’s genuine and his talents are distinctive and dynamic to his personality.
I really love track one and the opening vibrations of the piano and the melody is intoxicating. “ A Tone A Phrase”, is absolutely mesmerizing. The instrumentation is full, rich, and balanced.
I enjoyed the flow and the well-shaped resonance of each song. Each song is strong in it’s individual dynamic but each song flows well with the other melodies and brings the entire collection together with thought-provoking lyrics and timing.
“Knew Myself” is also a memorable original song. The instrumentation is solid and precise. Lyrics are balanced with a strong story to tell.
James Brant is definitely branding his own style and his own mark in the industry. Nothing elaborate to this, just pure expression. His presentation is not something that takes away from the texture of the music or the song. It’s genuine.
This warm and inviting collection was released in May of 2015. It was tracked and mixed by Brant himself at Brant’s own studio, the Sweaty Dog Studio in Chadds Ford, PA. and mastered by Tom Volpicelli in Pottstown, PA at The Mastering House.
Too many times we hear a lot of the synthetic mixing with too much of a computer generated format. Not with this album. It’s true to the artist with real, actual expression by Brant himself. Brant performs vocals, and plays guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo, drums and piano.
I especially enjoyed “Ocean”, it’s upbeat, clean, fresh, and I could actually close my eyes and feel the fresh spray of ocean waves against my face and sand between my toes.
With interests in music from a young age James has assuredly made a mark on the industry with his this collection of such accomplished and creative work. He studied music briefly at the University of New Hampshire, but being primarily self-taught, it is apparent that this young man is all natural.
“Prima” is warm and inviting with folk embers and exceptional acoustic accomplishments. Lyrics speak of life and fate and how we should express ourselves and let it out who we really are. We should never let time pass us by without telling how we feel and what life means to us. Beautiful song.
Brant has always enjoyed the collective fascination of being part of a team, a band, and he has had the pleasure of doing so since 1999 when he joined a group called Casual Freedom. He performed with them until 2001. Then in 2003 he became part of a group called Transient who was one of the best known groups in the Philadelphia area and performed on the main stage at Musikfest in 2005. While begin part of Transient he also has been a member of the group Couple Days from 2011 to present day.
He writes, records and arranges most all of his music in short intermissions during the day while assisting in the love and care of his two sons, James and Ethan. Firmly rooted in family, James Brant expresses that in his music for all the enjoy.
This solo album has been a long time in coming, taking almost 10 years to bring it to fruition. Life kept changing the path pushing his music to the side but he kept moving forward with vigilance. This time when the idea to put the album together popped in to his head, he knew it was right.
“Strange By Design” is authentic, creative, inspiring and over all a joyful collection that listeners are sure to include in a personal music collection.
For more information on James Brant, his public appearances, music and more please stop by the following sites and enjoy.
Websites (Official, bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter)
Official: www.jamesbrant.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamesbrantmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamesbrantmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamesbrantmusic
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