Pennan Brae has become a firm favourite here. His first album of 2021 ‘Lit’ was a Stones influenced rock and roll guitar-based set of short sharp songs. Album two, ‘Cinema’ was a different proposition. Strings and vocals dominating rather than guitars. Stand out single ‘Weed and Whisky Women (Distilled Mix)’ was a departure from his previous material, with touches of dub. And now we have a third album in ‘Planted’. This is the first half a double album project. ‘Picked’ will appear in 2022. We are back to the lean Power Pop of ‘Lit’, kicking off with ‘Space Surf Navigate’. A classic side one track one. It boots the album into life with a simple riff straight from the book of Brae’s idol Keith Richards. I spoke to Pennan about the album, and it’s recording and Space Surf Navigate was my first question:
There are some really strong songs on the album, many of which would make great singles. How do you pick which would be the lead songs for an album (Space Surf Navigate would have been another strong single for instance)
Thanks very much. I do like ‘Space Surf Navigate’ and it felt a natural choice to kick off the album. I think in terms of vinyl and how Side A feels unfolding and then Side B; and also how the album bookends with the 1st and 10th songs. Hence, ‘Long Bomb Deep Calm’ is a bit of a rock lullaby and it felt a good way to end the ‘Planted’ album. I released ‘Mona’ first which is a bit of a country-rock track and an odd duck. It just felt like a nice way to introduce ‘Planted’. I then released ‘Night Crawling’ which draws upon 1970s rock and roll influences. I got Halloween vibes from it so it felt like a reasonable pick for the 2nd single. I then released ‘Incognito’ as the 3rd track which is ‘90s-rock influenced and at 2:45, is a short single. I’ve always like short rock and roll songs when they unfold that way.
One difference between ‘Planted’ and ‘Lit’ is more solo guitar. Another of Brae’s influences are the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and John Frusciante’s soloing style is the starting point for the solos here. As he says above his albums feel like albums used to with a journey from start to finish. Of the singles ‘Night Crawling’, which would be the start of side B I guess, is my favourite this week, but the songs are so strong that preferences shift with every play.
With three albums out and another in the can I asked how he keeps up the quality of song writing.
I went through a period of 3-4 years where I was writing a lot. It was a good stretch to get ideas down on paper. I then went into the music studio and began recording these tracks. So a lot of music had been put down on tape. During the pandemic we’ve focused on producing and mixing this music. And so now it’s time to get these songs out there and set them free.
That could be what makes his recent work so positive and uplifting. There is no Pandemic angst that seems to be dominating song writing, understandably at the moment. I asked him next about his key musical relationship.
Kaj Falch-Nielsen has become a regular collaborator on your albums, what does he bring to your music?
I met Kaj close to 10 years ago. He had just opened his music studio (Blue Light Studio) at its original location (it’s since moved). I was struck by how pleasant a fellow he was and also how musically adept. Kaj has good sonic judgment and plays a wide range of instruments. I was fortunate; I found a good guy to work with and it’s been a fulfilling time of learning and exploration in the music studio. I hope we can continue collaborating on more projects in the future.
The longest song on the album is ‘Hi Def Stereo’ and allowing the music to stretch out a bit with some almost country style guitar, shows that Brae is not just a quick single and out artist. He describes the final song ‘Long Bomb Deep calm’ as “a bit of a rock lullaby” and it has a flavour more of the songs on ‘Cinema’. It feels like a proper album closer, and that is the biggest plus to Pennan Brae’s work this year. He has produced albums, not just collections of songs. They flow and take you on a trip from A to B. What will appear on ‘Picked’? How will it continue the journey? Personally, I’m intrigued already.
Another area of Brae’s work is in film so I couldn’t let him go without picking up a thread from a conversation we had when ‘Lit came out:
When we spoke earlier in the year you mentioned that you were back to screen writing, does that mean there is another film in the works, and what does 2022 hold for you?
I have 4 screenplays in the can and ready to film; having the finances to bring them to screen is what’s holding me back at the moment. I collaborated with an English screenwriter, Adam Luff on one particular screenplay. It’s a feature-length piece set in early 1990s England. I’d love to film that at some point. Screenwriting is a fun and healthy exercise and can be good therapy for what one’s going through. I have a short screenplay I’d like to film in 2022. I sure hope so!
Thanks to Pennan for another great album and for taking the time to answer my questions. If you want a slice of real rock and roll to warm the winter, then ‘Planted’ is where to go. While you’re at Bandcamp, which is of course where you will go to buy, pick up ‘Lit as well, you know it makes sense.
My earlier interview with Pennan Brae about Lit and guitars is here.
Pennan Brae is on Bandcamp. And don’t forget that the 3rd of December is the final Bandcamp Friday so show him some love and put your hand in your pocket before it all goes on Mince Pies.
