Burr Settles: vocals and guitar mostly, plus mando, banjo, percussion, computer science.
Sarah Wynia: trumpet, keys, flute, sass, physiology.
Brian Smith: cello, bass, guitar, searing wit, chemistry.
Influences
Cash. Elliott. Beck. Bazan. Dandoheads. Schoolhouse Rock. Vigilantes. Salinger. Sayers. Cowboys. Movies. Books. Records. Fireside and fire station jam sessions. Life, love, & loss.
Sounds Like
Some quotes:
"Intelligent folk-pop, Beck-style beat-inflected workouts, and introspective acoustic numbers." -The Onion AV Club
"Cool songs wandering all over the map. Happy guitar player who can actually write, too."
-Hybrid Magazine
"Burr Settles is a gem in the Madison music scene." -Dane101.com
"Great folk music, reminiscent of Bob Dylan (and I don't say that lightly)." -Letters In Bottles
"Settles [gets] attention for his skill at mixing other styles into the folk-rock he plays." -Anchorage Press
"Burr uniquely and creatively takes on each song as a fresh and new project, pleasing the listener with surprising twists to each song." -OpeningBands
"Burr Settles is one of those lucky folkies who, in the spirit of artists like Keller Williams, Jack Johnson or even early Beck, has granted himself the liberty to play whatever style he wants, whenever he wants..." -CoreWeekly (Madison)
"Solo acoustic richness with some full band tendencies." -The Phantom Tollbooth
"Great songs... a gifted writer." -Bill Mallonee (Vigilantes of Love)
"He names inspirations from Beck to They Might Be Giants, but that doesn't begin to explain the depth of the songwriting and the infectiousness of the melodies." -Rick's Cafe
Burr Settles was born in the back of a stalled pickup during a 70s snowstorm in Lexington, Kentucky. Years after his parents (a writer and an ichthyologist/wood truss salesman) named him on a dare, he began cutting his musical teeth at the folk/bluegrass jams in front of a fire station on Woodland Avenue. Since then, he picked up several instruments, moved briefly to Indiana, and is currently situated in Madison, Wisconsin, where he is also pursuing a PhD for some reason. Sketches is his first full-length album. More highlights:
Burr has toured from New York to Alaska, and bits of Europe (England, Scotland, Holland, and Belgium).
Among other things, Burr played the 2007 Steel Bridge Songfest with the likes of Jackson Browne, Jane Wiedlin (Go-Gos) and Pat MacDonald, and the 2006 Musical Family Tree Festival in Indianapolis.
Sketches was nominated for “Best Americana Album” at the 2006 Madison Area Music Awards. He was also nominated for “Best Americana Artist” and the song “Sugar in the Raw” was nominated for “Best Unique Song.”
Burr founded the annual February Album Writing Month (FAWM) challenge, to write 14 songs in 28 days, which in 2007 had over 800 songwriters participate from 25 countries.
Yes, Burr is his real name.
And he has this weird obsession with armadillos. Please don't ask.
Burr Settles & The Pine Box Orchestra's Friend Space (Top 12)
Burr Settles & The Pine Box Orchestra has 1607 friends.
hey friends, what are you up to this coming Sunday, April 6th? I'm playing at Cafe Montmartre with Josh Harty, and we're starting at 8pm, hope you can make it out! take care,
What a pretty song. How's life? I'm procrastinating. Only so many numbers and reports one person can generate in a day. I think I'll go build a snow man.
How you? We just booked a show in Clifton (Cinti), Friday March 21. You have any pals in town you think might like it, please let them know. Justin Lynch, formerly of Cinti Americana rockers Wojo, warms up. Rohs St. Cafe is Mother-Fools-like. -r
Hi Burr! How's it all going? I hope good! I'd like to see you play again sometime soon. Here is some show info from us: We Buffali are excited to announce our first-ever FULL BAND SHOW. High Noon, next Thursday, 11/1 at 9pm - we play first! We're part of a whole fun outer space night involving Star Wars Trivia, Chad Vader, improv comedy and Droids Attack. We're fundraising for FoRCE, a group promoting the arts in Madison. And, new mp3s are up on our website! Heck yes.
Hey there! It was great seeing you on Friday. thanks for coming out to the show! And by the way, my favorite part of the wedding was you and Michael in the dance-off.
Hi Burr. Belatedly starting to get cleaned-up FAWM material online, only on myspace at present. At my current rate I still won't have the whole lot developed until the next February stampede. But it remains the most creative burst I've ever been caught in. (Thanks!)
Thanks! Her name is Odette. She is a princess cat (or so Alessandra says) but she farts a lot and Jon thinks that she is a secret operative for "Al Cata". I know... he really needs to work on his humor.
Hi Burr... Hey, I'm betting I never get any of the FAWM songs better than they were then... I've been trying to re-record them and am totally struggling...
Hope you and your lovely wife are doing the fun things this summer. Madison in summer! BB Clark beach is a must... imho. -Charlie
I appreciate the well-wishes, but I didn't get them until I returned; and consequently managed to get into more than a little trouble and physical damage ...
If you're free, come down to Mickey's Tavern tonight. Hope all is well; talk to you soon.
btw, can you tell me how you changed the background color on your page..? i had looked it up, but only found info on NON-music pages.. much appreciated! -c
![[CD cover]](http://www.burrsettles.com/files/cd-liveindyfolk.jpg)
![[CD cover]](http://www.burrsettles.com/files/cd-sketches.jpg)
