Mississippi singer-songwriter Cory Brananis currently in the country playing shows after a sold out Poison City Weekender performance. This natural-born storyteller will bring his story song lyrics to his Australian fans for the first time, teaming up with a host of local talent including Lincoln Le Fevre & Jen Buxton some very intimate performances.
Hey Cory, thanks for having a chat with us. How has the recent touring been treating you?
The road’s been kind this year. Just got off a long run with my buddy Tim Barry in the states and Canada. I mean that one was in an aircondionerless van during a heat wave, but the shows were great. Felt like the grimy old days.
Could you describe what the music scene is like over in your hometown of Mississippi?
Not a lot going on in the small town I’m from in MS but we tend to say Memphis is the capital of North Mississippi, and there’s definitely a glut of awesome stuff there. I haven’t lived in either place in a piece. I’ve been in Nashville for a couple of years.
Last year you released your third album, Mutt, which was your first full-length record in six years. Did you feel like you changed much as an artist in that long space of time?
Definitely a lot of changes, but they may not have all made their way on to this record. Some of the newer material did, but with so much time between releases the songs tend to stack so I had a hundred or so to cherry-pick. (Not all cherries mind you)
What made you take such a long break from releasing new music, and did it take long to get back into the swing of things?
The terrible state of the music industry is the main reason for the time between records. I’ve never been into releasing music just to have it out there. I like to work on a project and record the album as well as possible – which takes dough. And time. And dough.
Luckily I’ve heard you say you’re aiming to release an album every 18 months from now on. Has the progress already started on the next one? How’s it going?
It’s great to be on a label (Bloodshot) that is interested in the long haul and the hustle. I would have finished the new one and released it this winter, but I’ve got a youngin on the way so we’re looking at spring. The record is almost finished though. Pretty stoked.
A key aspect of your music has always been your songwriting. What inspires your lyrics?
All kinds of things really. Sometimes it’s just monkeying with a line or a single word that gets strung out into a verse. Sometimes it’s simple play and I’m like kid making up a song about mashed potatoes or dog slobber. Sometimes it’s an emergency, or the only thing that keeps me from walking down the street and knocking things out of people’s hands.
Interestingly, you didn’t start writing songs until you were 26. What first inspired you to add ‘songwriter’ onto your list of musical talents?
That one’s easy. It was the first time I heard John Prine’s music. I’d never heard such droll and deceptively simple songwriting. A lot of dark and mysterious things going on underneath such conversational folk music.
I’ve heard you cite Prince as one of your musical influences, so naturally I’m interested in hearing some of others.
Growing up in Mississippi you get things kinda piecemeal. You’re obviously exposed to all the roots of American music- from blues to gospel and country, but I was also a little hoodrat latching on to whatever I could find. So it was Eazy-E the same time as minor threat and iron maiden. Couple that with being a child of MTV during the Prince, Van Halen, Michael Jackson rule of 1984 and things get a bit blended (American).
You’re coming over to our shores in September for your first ever Australian tour. What are you looking forward to – have you got any expectations about Australia?
I have little to no idea what to expect. The only thing I know is every one of my buds winds up holding a koala. Pics of Chuck Ragan, Lucero, Austin Lucas- all koalas. Half expected to be presented with one exiting the plane; Hawaiian lei style.
Because we’ve never been able to see you live over here before, what should we expect from your shows?
Kind of up to the crowd really – I never make set lists so if anyone knows the stuff holler what ya wanna hear. I’m, quite literally, here for you.
And lastly, what are your plans for the rest of the year?
I head home and finish the next record in October- with a Gaslight Anthem split likely coming out soon, and I’ll hit the states and Canada with Drag the River in November. Then baby late January. Followed by a musical baby come Spring. Hopefully good days ahead.
Cory Branan – Stunts & Guitars Australian Tour
Wednesday Sept 11 – Crow Bar, Brisbane QLD
Thu Sept 12 – The Loft, Gold Coast QLD
Friday Sept 13 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle NSW
Saturday Sept 14 – Crate Record Bar, Sydney NSW
Sun Sep 15 –Smith’s Alternative Bookshop, Canberra ACT
Wed Sep 18 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Thu Sep 19 – Beavs Bar, Geelong VIC
Fri Sep 20 – The Reverence Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Sat Sep 21 – Baby Black Espresso Bar, Bacchus Marsh VIC
