Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I’m a singer-songwriter from Vancouver, BC. I began to pursue a career in the music industry after writing my first song. The feeling and experience felt so magical that it was something I wanted to chase.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I began piano lessons at age 5 and continued through my teens; it was a great introduction to theory and the fundamentals of music. I taught myself guitar as a teen and began to get into blues improvisation when I went to college. Playing the blues was a wonderful experience as it took me off the written page to a world of improvisation and playing in the moment.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Pennan Brae’?
A: My first and strongest musical influences are classic rock and roll. The Rolling Stones are number one for me and I have a love of most British rock from the 1960s through the ‘80s. I really love Keith Richards rhythm guitar playing style. I love all the English greats such as The Beatles, Queen and The Police. I’m also influenced by American blues artists of the 1940s and 50s like Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Howlin’ Wolf. ‘Pennan Brae’ is a small village in Northern Scotland where my grandfather is from. I was quite close with him and he spoke of the area fondly. I got to visit it a couple of times during college and brought home some keepsakes for him in Canada. The name felt kind of unique and so I went with it.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Jettison’. Is there a story behind it?
A: ‘Jettison’ was born off a playful guitar riff and the song unfolded from there. It has a 1980s rock flavour to it. Lyrically the song is about being pushed and pulled in a relationship until you jump ship and bail.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Yes, ‘Jettison’ is the lead single off an upcoming album, ‘Arcade’. It’s a 10-song rock and roll album due Jan 23, 2023. This Fall, I’m releasing a new song per month off the album with the 2 nd single, ‘Arrival Time’, due Sept 20. On Oct 12, the song ‘Rumble is out; on Nov 4, it’s ‘Shrug’. 2 more singles will be released in Dec and then the full album in January.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in yourmusic that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I’d describe my sound as throwback rock androll to the 1970s and 80s. The songs are guitar-hook oriented and it’s a rhythm section of drums, bass, guitar and vocal harmonies. There are some piano ballads with violins as well. I really like writing lyrics and I hope listeners might enjoy the words and story unfolding.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Music is giving me back 100% fulfillment. It’s a fun and healthy way of expressing your emotions, both good and bad.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Usually I sit along in a room and hammer away on guitar until something clicks. I enjoy writing on piano also and the process is much the same. On occasion the lyrics with a melody might arise. But most often I complete the lyrics after which is a very fun process of discovery.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: The economics of the music business can be challenging. How I’d love to press more vinyl.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I recorded and released 2 songs with legendary drummer Steve Ferrone. That was a
great honour. I’d watched Steve perform with Eric Clapton on the classic ’21 Nights’ concert series at The Royal Albert Hall in London. I also loved his work with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. I recorded two songs with Steve; ‘Crashland’ and ‘Walk With Me’. Then we went ahead and recorded 14 more songs which I’m working on releasing at the end of next year. It should be a fun album and I hope people really enjoy the tracks.