Album Notes

PRESS RELEASE for “The Long Winter” – Erik Brandt

Erik Brandt is a Twin Cities-based multi-instrumentalist and singer known for his work with his group The Urban Hillbilly Quartet. Since 1995, Erik and the UHQ have released 10 albums and toured most of the United States, Canada and the UK. For his third solo release, The Long Winter (House of Mercy Recordings, 2012), Brandt enlisted the help of his old musical co-conspirator, Alex Oana (Romantica, Spy Mob, Storyhill) to produce and helm the recording ship. It seems the stars were aligned for this recording project. With the assistance of many generous friends and the understanding of Erik’s family, they cleared out Brandt’s home, set up a professional studio in it, and spent a hot and humid week in July tracking Brandt’s most cohesive and fully realized work to date. The 11 tracks cover a wide swath of music—from indie rock to country to jazz and folk—but share a unifying thematic connection.

Many musicians came together to make this album possible. In particular, the contributions of the UHQ’s Jeremy Szopinski (guitar), Dave Strahan (guitar, banjo) and Noah Riemer (drums) along with Romantica’s Ben Kyle on harmonies, Luke Jacobs (Carrie Rodriguez) on bass and pedal steel, Dan Newton (Café Accordion Orchestra) on accordion and additional harmonies from Chris Larson (House of Mercy Band) and others brought the album together.

Brandt’s many musical influences shine on this solo recording. “Greater Than” merges heartfelt lyrics with evocative electric guitar and driving drums. “Don’t Let It Happen To You” and “Anywhere But Here” create vivid images of troubled protagonists set to amped up Americana rock. A fuzzed out bass and Wurlitzer tell the hauntingly dark story of William Blake’s poem “A Poison Tree” set to music (Brandt is a high school English teacher, after all…). “Wherever You Go” heralds a turning point in the album, with lush acoustic guitars and piano, and steers the remainder of the album into a contemplative, quieter mode, where the songs commemorate losses, address difficult times and touch upon the joys and tribulations of parenting.

With his group the Urban Hillbilly Quartet and on his own, Erik Brandt has performed live at venues from Oakland, CA to NYC, and from pubs in Britain to clubs in Australia. In Minnesota he has appeared at clubs, theaters and premier events. The UHQ has released eight CDs, picking up a Minnesota Music Award (and several nominations) and glowing reviews along the way. Erik’s 2006 first solo CD Green Eyed Alone drew praise from critics and fans. The Pioneer Press called it a “warm and engaging disc” and Pulse of the Twin Cities called it “a great CD accessible to everyone.” Erik’s follow up 2009 solo CD Sometimes, was called “a diamond in the rough, well-crafted, richly romantic, Jayhawks-evoking country-folk recorded with loving clarity…” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.