Stars

Somewhere in my father's studio, in an old wooden cabinet filled with audio cassettes, there is a tape of my brother and I singing and making music.  I am maybe five and he is two and half.  We sing about rock and roll in our tiny, tinny childrens' voices, we laugh, we sound like we are having the time of our lives.

Brandon knew early on that being a drummer, a performer, a professional musician was the only thing that was going to make him happy and, to that end, he is living the life he dreamt of when we were kids.  He is not famous, his is not a household name, but the shows he plays with the various groups he's in are always packed, and they are always worth the price of admission.  His press clippings have called him "a show unto himself," and "the best drummer you've never heard of."  When he is on stage, no matter who he's playing with, Brandon is the one you watch.  His passion and energy are electric, and he's the guy you want to know in the room at any party, too.  He's quick with a joke or a great conversation about the influence of ancient African rhythms on the evolving state of contemporary hip hop, but being a drummer is just the beginning of who he is as a musician.

I remember one Christmas, he somehow got a hold of an old trombone and proceeded to play--or attempt to play--that thing all over our house.  He had to have been twenty and he was ridiculous, puffed out cheeks and breathless, but blowing all day trying to get the hang of it.  Eventually he did.  He's not going to join any brass quintets, mind you, but he could add a few notes to a record if he had to, and that was always his intention.  He's taught himself to get by on almost every instrument--bass, guitar, piano, winds, brass, strings--I've heard him play them all, and of course he can sing.

But, and this is the part that I think I am most proud and in awe of, Brandon also writes songs.  Not just hooky pop pablum that any of us could spew out in the car given the right beat and topic, but real thoughtful music that warms the soul and soothes the spirit.  When he sings, you hear his sincerity, his passion, and sheer love of creating something lasting.  This is his latest track, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do--but that might be hard seeing as how I'm a pretty biased big sister.

STARS