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 explore lyric writing and lead singing."
Bruce co-formed 'Belleville' (www.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
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.stillsearchin.comTrack List:
1. Show Me State
2. Maple Tree
3. Happy
4. Skinny Boy
5. Curb and Gutter
6. Vacation in the Sun
7. Locust
8. 2's Better
9. Shy
10. Fastback
11. Kind
12. The Psg Song
13. Sync. Swimmer
14. Louis
Suggested CDs:
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