SoundClick artist: Brian Sharpe - Acoustc alternative urban folk rock

MPOWERYOUTH.ORG

MPower is a new youth awareness campaign that's harnessing the power of music to change youth attitudes about mental health and fight the stigma facing the 1 in 5 youth with mental health problems. Brian is a supporting artist. To find out more about MPower, please visit mpoweryouth.org.

SYLVIE'S LOUNGE - FEB. 22

Brian's playing at Sylvie's in Chicago on February 22nd. Check out the shows page for more information.

RINGTONES!

Now you can have the sweet sounds of Brian's acoustic guitar intro from 'Last Goodbye' annoy the other passengers on the brown line whenever your friends call you on your cell phone! Purchase and download the ringtone from Brian's page at iSound.com.

NEW CD

Brian's new CD, The Usual Stories & Usual Lies is completed and just about ready for release. It features 14 original tracks and a cover of Elvis Costello's Watching The Detectives. There will be a CD release party in the next month or so in Chicago so stay tuned for that announcement. In the mean time, check out MP3 clips from the whole record on the music page.

NEW WEBSITE

BRIANSHARPE.COM has a brand new design with new music and photos. Also, if you haven't already, check out the myspace page with streaming full length tracks from the new CD, The Usual Stories & Usual Lies.

T-SHIRTS

There's now a cafepress merchandise store with t-shirts and a beer stein. check it out. cheers!

» go to the music page for more

Long Island Sound

Candystore Dropout

Last Goodbye

Just Like You

Secret

Bar On 4th Ave.

"I've seen Brian perform in Los Angeles and all over Chicago. His work has continued to grow and flourish. From the haunting cerebral 'That Would Be A First' to the anthemic 'Long Island Sound' and the sweet and swirling 'Santa Cruz' he continues to develop a personal sound that takes its cue from acoustic greats like Peter Mulvey and Bruce Cockburn with Jeff Buckley, Mark Knopfler ...But then, with wry humor, and a willingness to experiment, he works in other influences - heavy metal hair bands ...country songs you haven't heard and even Broadway musicals ...He'll start singing, and you'll be surprised. Or maybe even amazed."

Chris Wieland - screenwriter and producer of
The Rest of Your Life

Why this name?

It's my name...

Do you play live?

yes, mostly within the city of Chicago, but with the new record, I'm starting to book gigs regionally; Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, etc.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

There are three technological developments in my life that I was fine without for my entire life, but now that they've become part of my life I feel like I couldn't live without them:

Cell Phones
Tivo
The Internet

As a musician, the internet IS my record company. It makes it possible to do everything that was nearly impossible without the support of a label - and I can do it all in my PJ's.

I don't know if it changes or will change the music industry but it certainly enhances it and makes it possible for independent artists to make, release and share new music.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

I think it would depend on the label and the contract.

Band History:

Brian Sharpe was born in Southern California, raised in Germany and grew up in Chicago after moving there to go to college. While studying acting at DePaul University, Brian began being cast in roles that required his skills as a singer, composer and guitarist. This carried over into his professional career and after numerous gigs around the Midwest as actor/composer including writing music for Shakespeare and an award winning indie film, Brian has finally recorded his first full-length album, The Usual Stories & Usual Lies. Brian's sound is a blend of many influences. His tough and throaty voice sounds weathered and wise beyond his twenty-something years. His inventive and expressive guitar playing has a percussive edge to it that sounds bigger and badder then a 6-string acoustic guitar ever looks like it should sound. His songs are at once both muscular and fragile and sound like a wisp of smoke inside a glass of whiskey at 3 am in the dead of winter. Supported by intelligent, witty and sometimes heartbreaking lyrics, Brian's music has drawn comparisons to Peter Mulvey, Jeff Buckley, Shawn Mullins, Bob Schneider and John Mayer.

Brian has performed around the Midwest from coffee houses to clubs and colleges. Chicago venues include Wise Fools Pub, The Red Line Tap, Joe's Sports Bar, DePaul University, The Tin Man Tap, The United Methodist Fall Fest, The Space, Excalibur, Silvie's Lounge, Fizz, Friar Tuck's, Big Horse and The Red Lion.

Your influences?

(in no particular order) jeff buckley, bob schneider, marc cohn, elvis costello, steve earle, robbie fulks, mk gallina, the jazz vipers, billy joel, k's choice, tony lucca, tift merrit, shawn mullins, peter mulvey, OK GO, willy porter, quinn's uncles, slobberbone, elliott smith, bruce springsteen, brian vander ark, lucinda williams, blue man group, michael mcdermott, bob dylan, U2, shawn colvin, ani difranco, tom waits, rickie lee jones, ryan adams, mark knopfler, rhett miller, concrete blonde, the cure and the foo fighters are outasite...

Favorite spot?

The lakefront in Chicago

Equipment used:

I play a Martin D-15 with a Fishman Rare Earth Pickup installed. I sometimes use a Boss Digital Delay pedal, Blues Driver Pedal, a Korg Toneworks multi-effects box (for tremelo and phaser) and I always use a Boss Chromatic tuner.

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