Schurr mixes industrial soundscapes, modern classical, and bittersweet lyrics on new record.
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Benjamin Schurr of Br’er as photographed by Darian Scatton.
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“You Go, We’ll Stay Here” is the first single from the upcoming Br’er album City of Ice.
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Philadelphia-based songwriter Benjamin Schurr (recording under the name Br’er) kicks off a month-long tour today in support of City of Ice, the follow-up to Br’er’s 2007 album Of Shemales and Kissaboos. The album will be released via the Edible Onion label on November 22nd. The first single from the album “You Go, We’ll Stay Here” is now available for free download. On City of Ice, bleak industrial soundscapes, bittersweet pop songwriting, and modern classical music are combined with the refined hand of a young, but experienced songwriter.
Like a dark, electronic version of The Smiths or Bright Eyes produced by Trent Reznor, the songs on City of Ice are also similar to those artists by satisfying the listener’s need for intensely personal songs containing universal truths and accessible melodies. Focusing on topics that tend to be marginalized such as abuse, displacement, and mental illness (love and joy make appearances too), Br’er manages to still wrap it in a way that commands repeat listening.
“Since Br’er is a personal coping mechanism for me, I really want the music to reflect the lyrics appropriately and to get the right sounds by any means necessary,” says Schurr. This meant either learning an instrument simply to satisfy the need for a specific part or as Schurr states, to arrange for “musical one night stands” by recruiting players he’d meet at parties. Schurr would record them and typically never see them again. City of Ice will be released on November 22nd, 2011 by Edible Onion Records. Benjamin Schurr is available for interviews. Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.
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Br’er On Tour
10/26 Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA (531 North 12th St.) w/ David Liebe Hart
10/27 Brooklyn, NY @ 10 Forward (13 Thames [#3])
10/28 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY @ Bard College w/ Eskimeaux & Bellows
10/29 Saugerties, NY @ Inquiring Minds (65 Partition Street)
10/30 Lowell, MA @ The Dirty Douglas (Broadway St.)
11/01 Easthampton, MA @ The Flywheel (43 Main St.) w/ Jordan Knecht
11/02 Burlington, VT @ The Monkey House (30 Main St.)
11/03 Montreal, PQ @ Touski (2361 Ontario E.)
11/05 Jamestown, NY @ Labyrinth Press Company (12 E. 4th St.) w/ Jerry Fels & The Jerry Fels
11/07 Cincinnati, OH @ Northside Zen (1569 Chase Ave.)
11/08 Peoria, IL @ Copper River Coffee & Tea (2535 W. War Memorial Dr.)
11/10 Beloit, WI @ Music House (716 Emerson St.)
11/12 Minneapolis, MN @ The Hexagon (2600 27th Ave. So.)
11/14 Lincoln, NE @ The Powerhouse (1122 D St.)
11/15 Omaha, NE @ Side Door Lounge (3530 Leavenworth)
11/18 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves (411 E. Sycamore) w/ Baruch The Scribe
11/19 Little Rock, AR @ House Show For Info: darian@edibleonion.com
11/20 Memphis, TN @ The Lamplighter (702 Madison Ave.)
11/22 St. Louis, MO @ LEMP (3301 Lemp Ave.)
11/25 Murfreesboro, TN @ House Show (914 Ewing Blvd.) For Info: darian@edibleonion.com
11/26 Athens, GA @ The Plush Palace (260 N. Chase St.)
11/27 Macon, GA @ No Space (481 MLK)
11/28 Charleston, SC @ Communications Museum (58 George St.)
11/29 Greensboro, NC @ The Science House
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Br’er
City of Ice
(Edible Onion – Nov. 22nd, 2011)
Track Listing:
01. I’ve Forgotten Nothing
02. Milk of Kindness
04. Hope
05. Sea of Doubt
06. The Butcher
07. City of Ice
08. The Kissing Glove
09. Coersion
10. Safe Word
11. Oestrus
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Br’er Links
EPK : WEBSITE : FACEBOOK : VIDEOS : EDIBLE ONION
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Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic Promotion
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