Since I am writing blogs about Bay Area Music, I decided to do stories about cool, new indy artists.

BAM was a very important part of bands starting out, hooking up and getting exposure. If I can help new musicians through my blogs here, I am glad to help.

Photo © Pat Johnson

Bray.

Bray has been playing the Bay Area for years and has been moving forward at a fairly fast pace. He was Voted in the Top 100 Unsigned Bands in the Nation by Music Connection Magazine and dubbed a star by The Chronicle's Delfin Vigil. He has songs on over 150 FM stations, MTV's Road Rules, VH1's Old Skool and tours all over the globe. Bray combs the net, packs venues, rivals label acts for time slots and makes a living touring overseas. With this economy and the major labels becoming more and more like corporate shills for Disney and the like, it is refreshing to see artists like Bray using all the modern tools he can.

He has done three studio albums, and is currently working on his fourth, due out early next year. While shooting the shots for the story he played me stuff from the new CD. It has a harder edge and a little more bite.

His live shows are way cool. He keeps that garage band drive, combined with the clever ballads and his Bad-ass personality/stage presence, it works quite well. His vibe on stage adds rock and a theatrical bent that reminds me of the British artists from the early seventies. Unlike many whiney, soulless bands that personify the modern hipster-nerd, Bray is a breath of fresh air in an era that makes auto-tune the additional member of the band.

Photo © Pat Johnson

Here is what others are saying:

If Mike Patton and Elvis Costello met for a Molotov, you might have Bray." - Brooke Aldridge, Pulse

"I wouldn't be surprised at all if he lands a major recording contract." - Aaron Axelson, Live 105 FM (San Francisco)

On Nov 5 at the Rockiit Room in SF Bray is premiering his new video for the song "Clone Me" and will playing new stuff as well as fan favorites. Since it is so close to Halloween it will be a Sci-Fi themed party. Ziggy Stardust where are you?

I'll talk to you in a week.

Pat

Pat Johnson Studios
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