Brendan Kelley
Boston - Massachusetts - United States
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@Billboard™ Top 40, @SiriusXM™ Artist, Brendan Kelley's New Single, "Meant To Be" (Available for FREE via soundcloud.com/brendan-kelley) Finished Top 25 in the @visitmusiccity Singer/Songwriter Competition '13. He is currently residing in Music City, collaborating with Grammy Award winning producer's:
Drew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders... "Ramsey and Sanders began writing and working together and ended up creating Sanders' album "Outta' Nowhere." Although the disc was released on the tiny Southern Way Records, it earned good reviews and caught the attention of in-the-know R&B fans. The Arista Records band Next decided to work with Sanders and Ramsey as a result of the disc. More importantly, though, the disc found its way to Atlanta-based R&B vocalist India.Arie, who had just been signed to Universal Records. She brought her mother and the executive who signed her to Universal to Ramsey's house to talk about writing songs together.
Drew and Shannon are co-writers of "Good Man," 2003 Grammy nominated for Best R&B Song and co-producers on the album "Voyage to India," 2003 Grammy winner for Best R&B album. Both the song and album are performed by India.Arie.
They continued to work with many other artist the next couple of years such as: Mark Broussard, Jesse McCartney, and Heather Hadley before hitting it big again with another Grammy winning Best Rock Gospel album with Jonny Lang's Turn Around.
From then they have written and produced many records with many major label artist including: Robert Randolph, Mandisa, David Archuleta, John Legend." - Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_and_Shannon
"In short, I'm a 22 year old, self-taught musician. I have been fortunate enough to travel all around performing for my beloved fans all around the world! Thank you all for the amazing support, I love each and every one of you!" -BK
Links:
www.brendankelleymusic.com
www.youtube.com/brendankband
www.itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brendan-kelley/id345485121
www.twitter.com/brendankband
www.facebook.com/brendankelleyoffical
www.soundcloud.com/brendan-kelley
www.brendankelleymusic.bandcamp.com
www.brendankband.tumblr.com
Performer Magazine Cover Story March 2013:
Reviews:
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"Brendan Kelley may be young (21 years old) but he is already a music veteran.
His musical journey has taken him from Massachusetts, to Austin, Texas. and to Nashville, where he recorded his new album,Quicksand. While he is at heart a singer/songwriter, his music has a little bite to it as it moves toward rock and roll. He is an excellent guitarist for his age and the title track is an example of his slide guitar expertise. The hardest rocker on the album is "Live My Dreams," which is a direction he should explore more often. "Pass Me By" is an acoustic ballad where his fine voice is on display. Quicksand is an excellent release from a young and developing musician." - Seattle Pi http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Music-Reviews-Brendan-Kelley-The-Naked-Stills-4503293.php
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Right from start, the first songs off Brendan Kelley’s new solo record, Quicksand, exhibit two things: intellectual songwriting and extensive guitar ability. Clearly having many Southern, blues and country influences in his music, but coming from Boston, Kelley’s music gives a sense of experience and wisdom, a hard thing to do at only 21. His age does seem to play a factor, however, considering that many of his pieces tend to appeal to modern tones and qualities; electric guitar solos worthy of a place among the best of bluesy riffs and powerful, wide-ranging vocals. His classic ballads draw comparisons to greats such as Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond, with other pieces such as “Build A Bridge,” the eighth track of the album, having sing-along qualities. “Quicksand” is perhaps the song that best epitomizes his sound and portrays his image as a modern rocker deeply involved with his musical roots.
Delving deeper into the album, songs such as the sixth track, “Pass Me By,” and the third, “You Make It Easy,” slow down the tempo and stray from the hard rock, country, and classic Southern sound of “I Love You Not” and “Live My Dreams.” “I Love You Not” boasts extremely catchy riffs while Kelley shows his guitar prowess by sprinkling many solos and fillers in between. His raw vocal talent and range, along with musical creativity, is evident in his differing array of arrangements. His collections of skills verify him as an up-and-coming artist with potential to be something special. Receiving links to such legends is not an easy accomplishment and this Boston boy delivers a captivating, appealing record full of songs that connect with listeners of every genre and render timeless music. - Alec Dotto (Aquarian Magazine) http://www.theaquarian.com/2012/12/28/brendan-kelley-quicksand/
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"Brendan Kelley, a Massachusetts-native, brought his soulful, bluesy music into the WERS studio for a performance for the Coffeehouse, and WERS was thrilled to have him. Although Kelley is only 21, his music is mature beyond his years, boasting a sort of wisdom that you don’t often find in young musicians. Perhaps that has to do with his travelling—Kelly moved to Austin when he was just sixteen to record his first album, Music from the Motion Picture. Following that, he then moved to Nashville for a year to record the most recent album, Quicksand, with two award-winning producers, Shannon Sanders and Drew Ramsey.
That hard work is starting to get Kelley some attention. Kelley was on the cover of the March issue ofPerformer Magazine and his song, “Pass Me By”, which he performed for us in studio, is starting to get a lot of radio play. He also shot his first music video for that song on location in Brooklyn and it’s of an impressive quality for such a young musician.
“Pass Me By” and “You Make It Easy” were two tracks from Quicksand that he performed for the Coffeehouse, although instead of the full-band sound that one finds on the album, Kelley opted for a simple, acoustic guitar performance. The performances were just as catchy in sound as his plugged-in performances, but just in a simpler, less poppy way. It allowed for a more intimate feel, allowing Kelley’s angelic vocals (and really, they are) to shine through. Don’t be fooled, though, because Kelley does have quite a lot of grittiness to his music. His singer-songwriter side was highlighted in the WERS studio, but many of the tracks on Quicksand are more rock and bluesy. Still, it was special to have Kelley be unplugged for us, as it allowed listeners to get a better understanding of the lyrics of his songs. Kelley is a storyteller in his music, and that got to take center stage in the studio.
For those who are looking to get more info about Kelley, he made it clear that he is all about making his social media presence accessible to his fans. On his website, www.brendankelleymusic.com, he offers fans the option to download either “Pass Me By” or “You Make It Easy” for free, as well as access to his music video for “Pass Me By”, along with more exclusive web content. He will also be playing several shows this summer and the tour dates are also available on his website." - Libby Webster (WERS) http://wers.org/2013/06/29/brendan-kelley-on-coffeehouse/
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"Young Boston rocker Brendan Kelley kicks ass on his new Quicksand CD. Kelley’s raspy vocal, pounding rhythm section, and edgy guitar work make this a non-stop party. The crystal clear sonics are polished and let every note ring clean and pure. Kelley and each of his players don’t just play instruments. Each player layers these driving, high-powered tunes with his or her own special input. Players are Brendan Kelley on guitar, Dan Needham on drums, Shannon Sanders on keyboards, Jim Anton on bass, Andrew Ramsey on guitar and bass. Sanders and Ramsey are the production team who bring this sound to three dimensional life.
Kelley jumps right in with the pulse-pounding “Cold Blooded.” He belts this rocker out over a slamming rhythm section, driving lead guitar, and a swash of crackling keyboards. This one cries modern radio hit. The chorus is catchy as hell and the beat is one you wish would never stop. Kelley is certainly qualified to lead the party from his microphone. You can picture him swaggering around the stage, microphone in hand,
Title track “Quicksand” rocks out with slabs of low end notes, emphasis on the bass drum, and sudden, thrilling stabs of guitar and keyboards. Kelley projects his husky rasp over this like there’s no tomorrow. The drum pattern is infectious, tribal, celebratory, letting the listener know that the natives are restless and on a mission. The lead guitar is on fire during the break then springy slide guitar notes and keyboard tweaks ride out with a vintage guitar on someone’s front porch flavoring.
“You Made It Easy” builds its momentum like a power ballad. The rhythm section pushes it forward while the keyboards add a sweet spring in the step. Kelley croons much more smoothly here, turning his timbre into a honey flow drawl. This tune skips along like the singer doesn’t have a care in the world. You can picture someone taking his sweet time walking to work, taking in the scenery, enjoying the sunshine. The breezy melodies from guitar and keyboards coat this dandy with pleasant extras that will likely get it repeat plays.
Kelley and his band mates return to their hard-rocking form on “I Love You Not.” Kelley adds a gripe tone to his timbre as he belts out his reasons for moving on. He’s a tough guy who means business here. So much feisty sound builds out of the band’s take your time pace that it isn’t funny. A driving bass drum beat, slabs of low end, and hot, piercing guitar and keyboards are sharpened and honed into lethal weapons.
“Live My Dreams” dips into a pop rock attitude with its lilting rhythm section. The electric guitar chords are infections, irresistible. Kelley emotes a positive vibe with his less aggressive vocal approach. Yet, he has as much power in this gentler poppy tune. His rasp is in fine form and he still makes his presence felt among an incisive lead guitar phrase.
Things take an even mellower turn on “Pass Me By,” an acoustic guitar flavored, jazzy drum and bass driven pop ditty. Kelley takes a turn for the romantic yearning theme. His plaintive vocal is like a gentle tap on the shoulder. Unobtrusive, his voice pours forth, once again, in his sweet honey flow. The blending of acoustic and electronic instruments underneath creates an alluring pattern and a sense of impending drama. The emotional vulnerability here makes Kelley seem more human than his driving bombastic rockers. The more he pleads with his intended, the more anxious he comes across. Combined with the rhythmic pattern below, this song becomes as hypnotic as The Cars song “Drive.”
Kelley’s purring timbre makes him an appealing belter on “No Good.” He means business when he builds up the drama in this tense rocker. His driving rhythm section moves forward with the menacing potential of an 18 wheeler. There is just no stopping this guy when the bass drum is pounding.
Kelley closes out with a humanitarian plea for world peace. “Build A Bridge” skips along on a faux Ska beat, with quaint, lively guitar chords adding their upbeat sparks. Kelley’s smooth vocal timbre rides this one with an easeful purpose. He’s as positive and lively as Stevie Wonder was on the 1990s release “Conversation Peace.“
Kelley started off strong with his first CD. This sophomore effort could catapult him into the national arena. It would be nice to another local artist get really big." - Bill Copeland http://www.billcopelandmusicnews.com/2012/11/brendan-kelley-could-go-national-on-strength-of-quicksand-cd/
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Brendan Kelley Visits Harmony
"21 year old singer-songwriter-guitarist Brendan Kelley has an unique approach to roots rock, combining the soulful blues strut of Jonny Lang with the pop sensibility of John Mayer. Jonny Lang was so impressed by his talent that he co-wrote the song “Live My Dreams” with Brendan for the newly released Quicksand album. The song has the upbeat feel and groove of an alternative rock anthem, making everyone who listens want to sing along.
On the other side of the spectrum, “Pass Me By” is a soft and beautiful acoustic ballad with starry-eyed lyrics and the subtle sensuality of classic rhythm and blues. Each song on Quicksand is distinctive and different from the next, and Kelley pulls off every single note. Quicksand showcases Kelley’s songwriting and performance abilities, which are way beyond his years. Combining elements of rock and roll, blues, pop and jamband styles, this is a perfectly executed album packed with well-composed and downright catchy music. The second track on the album, “Quicksand” features smooth slide guitar and a clean vocal to match, comparable to John Mayer or Adam Levine of Maroon 5."
Discography
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"Meant to Be" - Single
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