DozenQ – Allman Brown

admin July 3, 2015

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This entry is part 8 of 20 in the series DozenQ 3

Allman Brown is a singer songwriter from North London, his current EP Sons And Daughters will be released on 2nd September digitally through Akira Records . The title single Sons And Daughters features Liz Lawrence on vocals. Allman Brown is well known on the live music circuit, having played top venues in London, New York and Paris.

01 How did you get started in music?

I picked up a guitar when I was 19 and taught myself to play, with the help of some patient friends and guitar tabs, so I could play open mic nights down in Exeter. I moved back to London after university and have been gigging ever since. Although I don’t play Drive by Incubus so much anymore!

02 Where did your direction come from?

I was sonically and musically quite limited because I could only play guitar and was writing simple acoustic songs. So, my direction was all steel strings and vocal.

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03 Who were your major influences and inspirations and who do you despise?

My major influences are Bon Iver, City and Colour, Bruce Springsteen, Fink… the list goes on. As for despising, I like to think I am a live and let live kind of guy. That said, if you trapped me in a room were One Direction was playing my head might just explode.

04 What inspires you to make your current type of songs and sound?

My inspiration for both of these is my desire to write songs that I really care about, rather than songs which sound great for a while, okay for a week and then ultimately vanish completely.

05 What can someone who has never seen you live before expect from your live shows then & possibly even now?

Someone can always expect to have a good time, I like to engage with my audience rather than just get through my set staring at my shoes and looking soulful. Laughing is not against the law. Also, you can expect to see my drummer Mike’s beautiful beard.

06 How do you begin your songs? What types of themes and subjects do you deal with?

Most of them begin with a feeling that I then try to articulate. Often I would have seen something like a film, or had a memory . Thematically they deal with large emotions over impulses and I really like to blend ideas of history and the weight of the past in there.

07 How has your music evolved since you first began playing?

It has become more complicated as my guitar playing has improved and my ambitions have grown. it is still relatively simple but the Production has advanced hugely due to meeting lots of wonderful and talented people who I know have the joy of working with. Whether they are other Artists or Producers they have helped me to capture the songs that I chase around in my head and bring them to life.

08 What has been your biggest challenge? Were you able to overcome this? If so, how?

The biggest challenge is to do with never giving up. It can be harsh out there and difficult to keep your passion alive and to always be inspired to write. It is a daily challenge but so far I’m still standing.