Influenced
by such Americana pioneers as Stephen Stills, Graham Parsons,
Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Bruce has woven his own organic songs from
personal lyrics, hooks, grounded and toe tapping rhythms. Using banjo,
pedal steel guitar and even jaw harp, Bruce has added traditional sounds
to compositions with contemporary lyrics that speak of personal experience,
subtle and real.
Growing up in the 70's, in the suburbs of Omaha Nebraska, Bruce was
exposed to music by his older brothers and sisters. At 13 yrs, he bought
a banjo and joined the local bluegrass and old-time music association.
Monthly jam sessions in the cigarette smoke filled halls somewhere in
Belleview, NE was just the beginning of a long journey of Americana
music for Bruce. He has played in many bands spanning 13 years. "Playing
in an original rock band in college was a great experience. it seemed
I found the perfect situation to exlore lyric writing and lead singing."
Bruce co-formed 'Belleville' (bellevillemusic.com)
in 1998 and wrote and
co-wrote material for their first two albums (see press below). Then,
leaving San Francisco for Santa Cruz, he left Belleville and went to
work on
his solo recording project 'Locust'. In the mean time, he made the turn
back to his roots and formed the bluegrass band Still Searchin'
(www.stillsearchin.com).
Bruce is currently performing with Still Searchin'
and writing material for a second solo project.
The following press was generated by the first
two Belleville albums:
"Nothing but sparse guitar and lonely-on-the-inside
lyrics, the band musters up some crafty-inspired pop without a hint
of manufactured country in sight" - The Alt-Country Pages
"Belleville successfully weave their way through
a variety of Americana
checkpoints thread throughout by terrific songwriting" - Miles
of Music Oct,
2002
"For all the alt.country bands trying to hop
on the classic pop bandwagon,
along comes Belleville out of relative nowhere to show the rest how
to do it properly. I say that in all seriousness and pure awe. The best
record of the year so far" - Freight Train Boogie June, 2003
"This easygoing sophomore set is an occasionally
surprising disc from a band that is now showing more imagination than
most." - No Depression Magazine January 2003
"My Friends Are My Estate' (2nd lp) contains
a dramatic mix of stilted vocal
rhythms, classic Depression Era twangs and a sultry alt-country swagger"
-
Pop Matters April , 2003
"My Friends Are My Estate' is loaded with
tight, clever tunes that show
Belleville to be smarter and more skilled than many of the bands they
are
likely to be classified with" - Rockzilla March 2003
Contact Bruce via email at: the_mapletone@yahoo.com
or phone (831)247-4240 |
