Texas singer/songwriter/rock artist Reagan Browne has drawn comparisons vocally to some of the best rock/pop vocalists of the last 20 years, and in addition to a booming voice that fans always come away noticing, Browne has also developed into a fine songwriter and guitarist.
Each of those skills are front and center on Browne’s most recent album, Daydreams in Stereo
(released February 23, 2010), the follow-up to his 2007 debut, Comin’ Home.
So far, he’s drawing rave reviews as well as industry attention. iTunes recently featured Browne
as a “rock on the rise” artist, and he is being tabbed by Clear Channel’s I Heart Radio as part of
their “artist to watch, recommended” feature (the song, “Goodbye L.A., reached #1 for this
promotion).
For Daydreams in Stereo, Browne set out to add layers, literally and figuratively, to his songs to
give them more depth, and he also played all of the guitar parts on the album. “There’s a lot
going on in each song, from multiple guitar parts, to multi vocal harmonies like Queen,” says
Browne. “But my vocals were a top priority, because that seems to be what fans notice the
most.” (For the record, Browne’s range is five octaves.)
In addition to having a contemporary yet classic vocal style, Browne’s music remains cohesive
and meaningful, in particular on the melodic and ultra-catchy first single, “Goodbye L.A.”
“If I ever wanted to pretend to be other people on stage, I guess I would be Paul McCartney the
songwriter, Chris Cornell the singer, and Edward Van Halen the guitar player,” he says.
Browne says this because these were the artists that had the biggest impact on him growing up.
And while that might all sound like a lot to wrap your mind and ears around, if you listen to
Browne’s music, and hear the way his hooks channel his emotive lyrics, that’s when you get it.
You can’t help but get it.
Upon moving from Vermont to Los Angeles about a decade ago, most of Browne’s friends and
colleagues were aspiring musicians. That combined with the way he absorbed so many different
types of music growing up, fueled his own passion to make music.
“I think I got really lucky though because I had a huge vintage record collection that my neighbors
threw away when I was around eight or nine,” he said. “So I had this incredible collection of
everything from Led Zeppelin to James Taylor. I was instantly drawn to the Beatles though, and
they were my first influence.”
Upon the release of Daydreams In Stereo, Browne is working it effectively to radio so that he can
in turn do some more touring and build up his already-growing following. “I really just want to be
able to get myself and my music in front of as many people as I can,” he said. “I think I have
great new album, and feel when the rest of the world hears it they’ll think the same.”