Brian Sharpe: Vocals, Guitars, Basses, Keys, Noises, Beats, Computers, Tricks
Craig Harff: Fiddle via NYC
Influences
A.C. Newman, Alice In Chains, Ani DiFranco, Aqualung, Beastie Boys, Belle & Sebastian, Ben Folds, Billy Bragg, Billy Joel, Blink 182, Bob Dylan, Bob Schneider, Brian Vander Ark, Bruce Hornsby, Bruce Springsteen, Cake, Colin Hay, Common, Concrete Blonde, The Cure, Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, Dire Straits, Elliott Smith, Elvis Costello, Eve 6, Explosions In The Sky, Feist, Foo Fighters, The Format, The Frames, Fun, Galactic, George Michael, Guster, Huey Lewis and the News, Jeff Buckley, Jimmy Eat World, Jon Cleary, Journey, Jurassic 5, K's Choice, The Killers, Little Guilt Shrine, Liz Phair, Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, Marc Cohn, Mark Knopfler, Martin Sexton, Michael McDermott, Mike Doughty, Modest Mouse, Morphine, Mos Def, The New Pornographers, OK GO, The Old Ceremony, Pearl Jam, Pete Yorn, Peter Bjorn and John, Peter Gabriel, Peter Mulvey, The Pierces, Pinback, Prince, Radiohead, The Replacements, Rickie Lee Jones, Rilo Kiley, Robbie Fulks, Ryan Adams, Shawn Mullins, Slobberbone, Soul Coughing, Stereophonics, Steve Earle, Superchunk, Tift Merritt, Tom Waits, Tony Lucca, A Tribe Called Quest, U2, The Weepies, Willy Porter
Sounds Like
this is what i've been told...
Lyle Lovett, Tom Waits, Bob Schneider, Pete Yorn, Willy Porter, Adam Pascal, Don Henley, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bruce Cockburn, Peter Mulvey, Shawn Mullins, Steve Earle, Martin Sexton, Jeff Buckley, Jason Mraz ...
what would i like to sound like? well, any and all of those guys will do, but also: see above, under 'influences'
"If John Hiatt, Shawn Mullins, and Jeff Buckley morphed their voices together, it would sound something like Brian Sharpe."
Illinois Entertainer
"Sharpe is a true storyteller. He sings and you’re compelled to listen"
BuddyHollywood.com
"Brian Sharpe is one of those singer-songwriters who given the right time and place in the universe would and could easily be discussed in the same breath as Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Cockburn..."
The Consensus Music Reviews
"Sharpe crafts the kinds of songs that make you stop and listen...Do yourself a favor and let [him] bend your ear for a while, you'll be better for it."
Greg Rolnick - Former music contributor to CNN.com
Brian Sharpe was born in Santa Barbara, California, raised in Germany and grew up in Chicago, Illinois after moving there to go to college. While studying acting at the prestigious Theatre School at DePaul University, Sharpe began being cast in roles that required his skills as a singer, composer and guitarist; skills he had developed while playing his first original songs at open mic nights in coffee houses and bars and in a back yard cover band (that played everything from Billy Joel, Elton John and The Eagles to Van Halen, Madonna and Journey) in the suburbs of Sacramento, California where he attended high school. This carried over into his professional career and after numerous gigs around the Midwest as actor/composer/musical-director including appearing in and writing music for Shakespearean plays and the award-winning indie film, The Rest of Your Life, Sharpe has finally released his first full-length album, The Usual Stories & Usual Lies.
Sharpe's sound is a blend of many influences. His tough and throaty voice feels weathered and wise beyond his twenty-something years and is a result of growing up listening to tapes and CD's by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Marc Cohn, Dire Straits and Steve Earle. 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 and came about in college after he discovered and immersed himself in the techniques of Peter Mulvey, Mark Knopfler, Willy Porter and Bruce Cockburn. His songs are at once both muscular and fragile and feel 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, Sharpe's music has drawn comparisons to Pete Yorn, Jeff Buckley, Bob Schneider, Rhett Miller and John Mayer.
Hey, Brian. It's been a while (your 2006 release concert). I just saw you on Amanda Sena's profile, so I figured I'd check up on you. It's good to see you're still performing. What else do you have in the works?
Thanks for being our Friend! We really appreciate you! Check out our Videos. We will be adding new Videos every month. We will be releasing some new music soon. Keep Rockin! Rock On, JD and The Bad Boys JD and The Bad Boys "Your Good Times Party Band"
Could The Ballad of Captain Sutter be the GREATEST song ever? Rolling Stone says it's Like a Rolling Stone...but I would defer them to your myspace page.....just sayin'
Who's watching the fucking detectives, man? Huh? What chick is driving you crazy, man? I can't wait to hear Captain Sutter, unless you don't play it. Then I'll be upset. But don't worry, doc says I'm making progress, but what does he know, right?
im soo happy for you though those songs are really good i might one of your songs to my page .. i wanted to add you button but i cant find that code also whats that web site for the tee shirts again ???
i hope you had a great time in LA ... that is soooooo cool
Thanks for the add, and for checking out my music! Be sure to stop by my CDBaby page to hear more of the album. You can also find the album on iTunes. I appreciate your ears -- thanks for listening! -- GM
It's Red Ink Theatre Company's first show, iAlone! Come check it out Thursday and Friday nights, April 17th - May 2nd, at 7pm. It's playing at The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway. Only $10!
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