 |
 |
Rick Brantley
http://www.rickbrantley.com
[BIOGRAPHY]
[PHOTOS]
[PRESS]
[TOUR DATES]
[AUDIO]
|
 |
|
BIOGRAPHY
If you've been wondering whether rock n' roll has truly been
put to death by today's fabricated, widget-like pop stars popping
out of the woodwork, rest assured that you will find the phoenix
not only rising out of but bursting forth from Rick Brantley.
Brantley, barely 21, writes, plays, and sings his Southern angst-filled
rock n' roll with the heart, soul and body of a young Bruce
Springsteen or Kris Kristofferson. Brantley's songs address
the same timeless issues that his protégés addressed
in the 60s and 70s: the confusion and longing inherent in lovelorn
youth, political and racial injustice, and a search for meaning
in a world that offers harsh judgments but few solutions. "The
issues are the same today as they were when Lennon, Dylan, and
Robbie Robertson (a few of his influences) were writing about
them," Rick says, "and we are still divided over them."
In keeping with the true rock n' roll concert tradition of his
heroes, a Rick Brantley performance is packed to the max with
action. One moment Rick's fingers are hammering across the keys
as he belts out lyrics with a Bob Seger-like frenzy, and his
full backing band pounds down the house to keep up with him.
Next, Rick is center stage, howling with an electric ax, and
the next moment he's back at the keys, under the spotlight,
crooning out a ballad that will break your heart. His audience
is always riveted. Rick Brantley's music is meaningful and his
performances overflow with passion and integrity. After a long,
long wait, rock n' roll has found the real deal again. |
|
PHOTOS
Click on a thumbnail to download that hi-res JPEG (suitable for publication):
Coming Soon
|
|
TOUR DATES
- 13 Aug 2008 *
Smith’s Olde Bar * Atlanta, Georgia
- 16 Aug 2008 *
8th and Rail * Opelika, Alabama
- 11 Sep 2008 *
The Hummingbird Stage and Tap Room * Macon, Georgia
- 12 Sep 2008 *
Rafter’s Blue and Raw Bar * St. Simons Island, Georgia
- 18 Sep 2008 *
The Vinyl - Atlantis Music Conference * Atlanta, Georgia
- 3 Oct 2008 *
Windjammer with Drivin’ N Cryin’ * Isle of Palm, South Carolina
|
|
PRESS
Rick Brantley
Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer
By Ron Wynn, Nashville
City Paper
Nashville singer/songwriter Rick Brantley doesn't have anything
against love songs or romantic ballads, but he prefers singing
and performing issue-oriented material. Several songs on his
new CD Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer, which will be released
Tuesday, discuss controversial topical and political subjects,
though Brantley describes himself as an independent rather than
either a liberal or a conservative.
"For me, personal freedom is the most important thing - the
will and desire to act and speak freely rather than follow any
particular trend or go along to be popular," Brantley said.
"The people I admire like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen write
and sing about pain, and how that pain affects people's lives.
There's nothing wrong with people writing tunes about boy meets
girl and they fall in love. That's just not what I particularly
want to do."
Brantley's fiery tone, urgent vocals and frequently specific
comments and lyrics are on display on such selections as "Peace
on Earth" and "Living On The Outside." Brantley will be performing
those and other selections from the new disc Tuesday at the
Rutledge (9 p.m., 410 4th Ave. S., $10, 782-6858) along with
Roman Candle and Eric Wilson.
He admits that there are times when he encounters those in the
audience who aren't quite as interested in songs with political
themes.
"I remember once opening for Shooter Jennings and there were
some guys who really didn't want to hear anyone talking about
peace," Brantley laughed. "But the great thing about being on
stage and having the microphone is that you've got the forum
and it's up to you to control it. I would much rather have a
strong reaction, even if it's negative, than someone just sitting
there and acting like nothing is happening."
Brantley remains optimistic that it's possible these days to
sell a lot of records, "even with iTunes and everything else."
"I read the other day about a rapper who's managed to
sell over a million albums even in the current environment.
That's my goal, to make music that becomes that popular, yet
also discusses important issues in a fashion that attracts attention
but doesn't try to lecture anyone," he said.
Rick Brantley
Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer
By Al Kaufman, Atlanta
Music Guide
It's always good to set attainable goals. Rick Brantley realizes
that in his song "Peace On Earth," when he spits out,
"I don't want peace on earth/ I just want to go home."
But rest assured that whatever it is this Georgia native wants,
he's going to let you know about it with all the passion and
intensity of a tasmanian devil that hasn't eaten in weeks. On
his debut CD, Brantley covers the typical rock terrain of anger
and disillusionment with just a glimmer of hope, yet, like a
teenage girl that has developed her first crush, Brantley acts
as if he is the first person in the world to have identified
such emotions. All six cuts on here are anthems; loud, intense
anthems. Imagine a slighly less funky Black Crows. The horns
at the beginning of Living on the Outside" add a nice sleazy
touch, reminiscent of the horns at the beginning of Joe Cocker's
version of Randy Newman's "You Can Leave Your Hat On."
Max Abrams also offers a grooving sax solo on "Blue Bandana,"
but the rest of this is straight ahead rock and roll, led by
Brantley's raspy wails and power chords.
Rick Brantley
Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer
By Brian Tucker,
South East Performer Magazine
There's a fire walking around right now in Nashville,
Tenn. in the body and spirit of Rick Brantley, a 21-year-old
singer who sounds like he's in his mid-30s vocally while
maintaining the pissed-off nature of most good young men.
Brantley belts out lyrics like late '70s Meat Loaf and
is barely careful about it. His vocals are harsh and grainy,
deliberately in your face. Imagine Bob Seger and Train's
Pat Monahan fighting to be heard in a rowdy piano bar. But Brantley's
vocals really recall the overlooked early '90s band The
London Quireboys, singing in a manner that grabs the listener's
ears and shirt collar.
When not spewing passion, Brantley slows it down on Prize Fight
Lover Soul Auctioneer for the soulful and downtrodden "I
Don't Believe in Love." Much of the album's
material is based around songs breaking down musically, pausing
for effect (think Joe Cocker) and social/political themes (think
Springsteen). "I Don't Believe in Love" employs
horns to lend a Delta feel and church harmonies for that backcountry
vibe. "Living on the Outside" aims to tear off the
roof, blending big city horn playing with theatre musicals.
It's a show-stopper only to be challenged by the fist-fight
of "Tookie."
On Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer, Brantley is firmly rooted
in the society of rock 'n' roll, soul and all its
history. He's got the framework down solid, working from
what has come before. Brantley does it well but his next move
should be to refine it into something removed from what we all
know. He should turn it into something he can call his own.
(Carnival Recording Company)
|
|
AUDIO
Click on a clip of an audio track below to download a mp3:
Rick Brantley - Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer [2008]
Prize Fight Lover Soul Auctioneer [mp3] - 1.02 mb
I Don't Believe In Love [mp3] - 1.03 mb
|
|
|
|