Album Notes

Only in the mornings is the musical vehicle for Brian Ward. Growing within the dense cornfields and farms of small-town Ohio may seem daunting to some, to Brian, however, it fueled the imagery and sound of the Midwest he aims to convey. Although his high school years were dotted with mostly cover bands, the creativity required in such a place was absolutely captured through music. Columbus provided not only an audience, but many talented musicians. Throughout college, Brian was involved as one half of the band October, blending both popular acoustic covers with a strong mix of acoustic/pop originals.

Eventually finding the talented pianist and co-songwriter, Doug Smith, Brian became one half of the popular Columbus band, Angels Look Down. They merged Doug's pop sensibility and upbringing with Brian's haunting melodic storytelling and melancholy imagery. The result was dark and touching hooks built from the Ohio landscape and those artists most influencing the band like Josh Rouse and Better than Ezra.

Surfacing yet a larger and more diverse audience, the move to Chicago has unearthed Brian's current project: only in the mornings. The solo singer/songwriter is not a strange area. Brian's heart has always been evident through his solo songwriting, and it continues to flourish. Although residing in the city for many years now, the imagery is always to a simple beauty apparent through the quiet of the untouched countryside. A fragile intensity that allows escape. Like those most influencing him (Josh Rouse, Red House Painters, the Innocence Mission...), Brian wishes to touch a handful of individuals and allow them an escape like he has so utilized himself so many times before.