Gary Eisenbraun

So many musicians have tried to answer this. We all KNOW the answer, its articulating it - thats the problem. So many answers to one simple question. Heres one I like: "A musician has soul when he plays music because he is compelled to, rather than chooses to. Music has soul when it reminds listeners that they have one by stirring something within them, touching them somewhere deeper than their head. Music with soul doesnt just entertain - it speaks. And it doesnt just speak. It has something to say. ... There is no wall between the artist and the art; everything he has goes into his music." (Alan Paul, intro to Gregg Allman "One more try: an anthology").

Why am I talking about soul on a rock and roll website? Because my music is deeply steeped in the styles of the Delta blues, Motown and Memphis soul, mixed in with old-fashioned classic rock and roll.

ARTIST NOTE: Todays music scene tends to put musicians in little boxes that are easy to market. I dont care to endorse that sort of limitation on creativity and thats where the indie label moniker comes into being. What is "Indie music"? Artists making music that is outside of the box and hard to label (pun intended). My music isnt pure blues, or just rock and roll or just soul or just...anything but mine. Words that apply to my music? Guitar-driven, blues influenced, soulFULL rock n roll music. Want to know more? Details about the various influences can be found on the MUSIC page, in the "Required Listening" column. The music reviews are original and updated monthly. You can also download .mp3s and listen for yourself :)

INDIE MUSICIAN, ARTIST BIO.

As for me, it all started with a guitar I found in the back of a closet at the age of ten. I honestly cant remember a time when I wasnt playing guitar and writing music. Naturally, Ive played in a number of different bands along the way. But all that songwriting has given me quite a pile of songs (200++). So recently, Ive been concentrating on putting the music together, in indie music releases. Its been a lot of hard work but I think its worth it :) It has been, and always will be, my life goal: to make music as good as what my heroes made without copying them. I want to make music that is timeless, that is always fresh and that is stamped with MY soul. No walls, just pure honest, rocking soul music. All of which is why I usually end up awash in sweat after every performance.

Originally from Rochester (NY) my current residence is Tampa Bay (FL). Why did I move? Theres a feel to the South that comes through the music. Whether its the rough groove of The Black Crowes, the Allman brothers honesty, the North Mississippi All Stars funkiness, the soul FULLness of Al Green, Otis Redding and Tyrone Davis or the honest guitar artistry of Ian Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Chris Whitley...it ALL has that honest, southern, soulful tradition. And thats why Im here. And right now, youre here too in spirit at least.

"All the musicians who came before left a map...and its there for you to use, ignore or add to, but just blatently copying it isnt enough. " -- Bruce Springsteen

Official Website: Gary Eisenbraun Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.