Brandi Shearer
| Brandi Shearer | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 5, 1980 Oregon, United States. |
| Genres | Acoustic, Alternative, Rock |
| Occupations | Musician, Songwriter |
| Years active | 1998-present |
| Labels | Amoeba Records, Vinyl Tiger Music |
| Website | www.brandishearer.com |
Brandi Shearer (born June 5, 1980) is an American singer and songwriter. She was born and raised in Oregon.
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[edit] Early Life
Brandi Shearer was raised on a rural farm in Oregon and was encouraged to sing and play music by her grandmother, which also led to her receiving a guitar as a gift from her father. In her teens, Shearer began to study classical guitar and voice, a combination that ultimately won an opera scholarship to a local college. A student exchange program brought her to Hungary in Europe, where ironically, she became exposed to the music of a variety of legendary American Jazz and Blues artists, including Billie Holiday. Subsequently, she dropped out of school and began performing in clubs and bars in Hungary and France.
[edit] Career
In 1998, Shearer moved to San Francisco, California, and released her debut solo album 'Museum' in 1999, which featured contributions from jazz guitarist Ted Savarese. She also spent time playing rhythm guitar in Savarese's jazz-oriented ensemble 'Drizzoletto', which further developed her knack for writing and performing music. Shearer released two albums within a few months of each other in 2003 and 2004, 'Music of a Saturday Night' and 'Sycamore', both of which helped garner her a strong local following. Among that following was Amoeba Records owner David Prinz, who booked her for a live recording with the gypsy jazz 'Robin Nolan Trio' in 2005. Various tours and performances followed, including an appearance with Nolan at Austin's SXSW festival, all of which led to Shearer releasing Close to Dark, her debut recording for Amoeba Records, in 2007. After the label folded in 2008, Shearer formed Vinyl Tiger Music, and began recording an album. 'Love Don't Make You Juliet' was released in 2009 and was with acclaimed Norah Jones producer Craig Street adding a smoky elegance to the material.
On the heels of 'Love Don't Make You Juliet', she is in the final stages of completing a record with musicians Me'shell N'degeocello, Autolux drummer Carla Azar, and producer Chris Bruce.
On January 3rd 2011 she posted about her new album on her Facebook page "Everyone is going to hate this record. It's easily the best thing I've ever done." Stylistic differences from past recordings means Shearer will release the record under the band name 'Hexer' in late spring 2011.
A standout performance of note is her song 'Sao Miguel', co-written with gypsy jazz guitarist Robin Nolan in 2005. The version captured live with John Jorgenson on mandolin is an instant classic that showcases her vocal talent. This performance can be found on Youtube.
Her music has been used for film and television, including the Showtime television series' Dexter and Weeds, ABC, NBC, BBC 3 and several others across the world.
[edit] Discography
- Studio albums
- Museum (1999)
- Music of A Saturday Night (2003)
- Sycamore (2004)
- Close To Dark (2007)
- Love Don't Make You Juliet (2009)
[edit] Personal Life
She is currently living in San Francisco, California, United States.
[edit] Critical Response
"With a style reminiscent of Norah Jones at times and Fiona Apple at others, the sultry-voiced Shearer has crafted a very good collection of bluesy, heartfelt tales of love and loss, such as the bittersweet ‘Lullabies’." – People Magazine
"The singer you should get to know well is Brandi Shearer. She has a heaven-scent, heart-shuddering vocal style." – LA Weekly
"Brandi Shearer’s fourth album sounds easygoing and seductive. Pristine acoustic guitars, closely recorded with lots of finger squeaks, ride a gentle pulse behind Shearer’s intimate, bluesy alto." - The Philadelphia Inquirer
