Fans: 21
Bryan Master is an alternative-rock singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California.
A long-time drummer-turned-frontman, Bryan uses a blend of acoustic and multi-layered rock, together with his powerful vocals and lyrics, to produce an utterly-eclectic, often indefinable brand of sound. Bryan’s songwriting is evidence that he enjoys crossing musical boundaries and eschewing rigid labels. Ballad or heavy rock, acoustic or full band, Bryan defies classification. His haunting ballads might be likened to David Gray, Elliott Smith or Ryan Adams, but his upbeat rock numbers are reminiscent of Tom Petty, Pete Yorn and even Foo Fighters.
Bryan has played at some of New York’s premiere venues, including The Cutting Room, Joe’s Pub and Mercury Lounge, as well as Hollywood giants including the Troubadour, Key Club and Viper Room. His songs have been featured by major-market radio stations, including Mix 94.7 in Austin, WXPN in Philadelphia and Star 98.7 in Los Angeles. He has also worked with and supported Grammy-nominated artists and recorded with world-renowned musicians and producers.
While living in New York City, he independently released his debut album, Lost At Sea, in 2003 and his sophomore effort, Incommunicado, in the fall of 2004, both of which featured Bryan on nearly every instrument - both are available on iTunes. Lost at Sea featured friend and legendary bassist Phil Chen (the Doors, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Jackson Browne) while Incommunicado’s folk ballad, "Find the Words" made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious International Songwriting Competition out of nearly 15,000 entries. 2004 was also highlighted with a month-long residency at the now-defunct New York staple Fez and a sold-out night at Philadelphia’s World Cafe Live (as one of the venue’s very first performers).
After moving to Los Angeles in 2005, Bryan collaborated with fellow singer-songwriter Mike McCarthy (as Master McCarthy) on an unreleased album, produced by legendary Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Fiona Apple, My Morning Jacket) and additional production by Steve Perry of Journey. Through the guidance and help of their manager, the duo had the opportunity to work with such legendary session musicians as guitarist Waddy Wachtel, were represented by heavy-weight entertainment attorney Ken Hertz and were even in talks with major labels such as ATO Records (founded by Dave Matthews). Despite mild successes and a promising future, the two musicians amicably parted ways before the release of the album.
Bryan returned to his solo act in mid 2007 and assembled an amazing band of Los Angeles-based musicians. In late 2007 he went on a minor U.S.-tour along the West and East Coasts, kicked off by his debut at the Troubadour and a sold-out show at Hollywood’s legendary Viper Room.
2008 was jumpstarted with Bryan as the year’s first featured artist on Billboard.com’s Billboard Underground series, an online video showcase of an unsigned, on-the-rise artist, where he performed his new “Moments Like This Don’t Come Along for People Like Us".
That song most recently earned him the title of ’Fan Favorite’ in LA’s Star 98.7fm ‘Rock Star’ contest, competing for a recording contract - and a second brush - with ATO Records. One of more than 1,000 initial entries, Bryan advanced to the Top 5, performing on Jan. 26, 2008 at Hollywood’s Key Club.
Bryan is beginning to dive into the world of song licensing and TV/Film soundtracks, with his haunting ’Count to Ten’ (Incommunicado) featured in Season 2 of MySpaceTV’s original series ’Roommates’. He spends most of his time traveling back and forth between New York City and Los Angeles writing, recording and performing at some of the top clubs on both coasts – as a solo, acoustic act, and with his full backing band. Bryan is currently recording his third studio album in Los Angeles under the production team of Marc ’Doc’ Dauer (Pete Yorn, Minnie Driver, Jukebox Junkies) and Evan Frankfort (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, Rancid, the Wallflowers) and is slated for a 2008 release.
Artists Worked with/Supported:
the Violent Femmes, De La Soul, Fastball, David Garza, Craig Wedren (of Shudder to Think), Don McCloskey, Chuck Fay (State Radio), Brian Connell, Buffalo Tom, Versus (+/-), Johnathan Rice, The Pierces, Sex Slaves, Jim Bianco, Peter Salett, Matt Nathanson, Chris Stills, Ron Sexsmith, Back Door Slam, Eric Robinson, Dan Nash, Erich Gobel, Jenny Yates, Niko Bolas, Greg Ladanyi, Phil Chen, Bob Glaub, Jeff Babko, Charley Drayton, the legendary Waddy Wachtel, Ken Hertz , Evan Frankfort, Marc ’Doc’ Dauer and a sweetheart of a man known to some as Vladimir Johnson
Venues Played:
Los Angeles - The Troubadour, Hotel Cafe, The Whisky, The Mint, Room 5 Lounge, Viper Room, Key Club, Cat Club, The Shore and THE SYNC at Nettwerk Records
NYC - Joe's Pub, Mercury Lounge, Fez, The Cutting Room, Sin-e, The Knitting Factory, Pianos, Luna Lounge and The Living Room
Philadelphia - WXPN's World Cafe Live, The Point, Pontiac Grille, Tin Angel, Grape St. Philadelphia, The Trocadero
Austin - Lucky Lounge, MIX 94.7FM
Las Vegas - Thomas & Mack Center, House of Blues
Burlington - Club Metronome/Nectar's
Albany - Valentines
Washington DC - Velvet Lounge
Santa Barbara - Rocks