Bryan Master

"Master is an exceptional live performer who reaches his audience
with great music and human touchâ€¦comparable to
Elliott Smith and Michael Stipe."
- Music Connection Magazine
STAR 98.7fm/ATO RECORDS 'ROCKSTAR' CONTEST
Bryan kicked off 2008 involved in Los Angeles-based radio station Star 98.7's 'Rock Star' competition with a shot at a record deal with ATO Records (founded by Dave Matthews). Out of nearly 1,000 submissions, Bryan made it 'all the way to the top' as a Top 5 Finalist and was named 'Fan Favorite', with most online fan votes.
The Top 5 performed in a 'Battle of the Bands'-style night at Hollywood's renowned Key Club. Despite having a great set and great turnout of support, the label decided to go w/ another act.
Thank you to EVERYONE who voted, who spread the word and who came out to the Key Club to support Bryan and the band - your support is greatly appreciated!
Below is video of Bryan's full, uncut performance - 'Paddle Out' solo/acoustic and 'Moments Like This Don't Come Along for People Like Us' with the full band (Shaun Hague, Dylan Halacy, Brian Kukan and special guest Eric Sanchez of Sex Slaves).
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. Bryanâ€™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, Joeâ€™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). This period also introduced radio listeners to Bryan's music when 'Now or Never' (Lost at Sea) received plays on Philadelphia's WXPN and he was invited to do an in-studio performance/interview on Top 40 station Mix 94.7fm in Austin.
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 â€œMoments Like This Donâ€™t Come Along for People Like Us".
That song most recently earned him the title of 'Fan Favorite' in LAâ€™s Star 98.7fm â€˜Rock Starâ€™ 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 Hollywoodâ€™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 â€“ 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 Spring '08 release.
Bryan has played at, and can generally be found in, these fine establishments losing his mind and his sobriety:
Los Angeles - The Troubadour , Hotel Cafe , The Whisky , The Mint , Room 5 Lounge , House of Blues , Viper Room , The Key Club and The SYNC at Nettwerk
NYC- Joe's Pub , Mercury Lounge , Fez (RIP) , 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 and The Trocadero
Austin - Lucky Lounge
Burlington - Club Metronome/Nectar's
Albany - Valentine's
Washington DC (dchc) - Velvet Lounge
San Diego - Cane's
Santa Barbara - Rocks
Through his career, he has had the distinct privilege & honor of recording with, working with or supporting the following people...and he sincerely thanks them:
the Violent Femmes , De La Soul , Fastball , David Garza , Craig Wedren (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 , Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters) , Jonny Polonsky and a sweetheart of a man known to some as Vladimir Johnson
Among others, bryan's music can also be heard on the following airwaves:
Philadelphia's WXPN and Austin's Mix 94.7 FM's JB & Sandy Show .
To request songs on a frequency near you, please click HERE !
6/2/08 hollywood, ca hotel cafe
4/9/08 hermosa beach, ca the shore
3/27/08 ny,ny the mercury lounge
1/26/08 hollywood the key club
12/28/07 ny,ny the living room
12/27/07 ny,ny cutting room
12/21/07 philly the tin angel
12/12/07 hermosa beach, ca the shore
12/4/07 hollywood hotel cafe
11/21/07 philly grape st.
11/19/07 ny, ny billboard underground
11/17/07 ny, ny the living room
11/8/07 hollywood hotel cafe
9/29/07 w. hollywood viper room
9/13/07 santa barbara rocks
9/8/07 new york the living room
8/28/07 philadelphia the fire
7/21/07 los angeles room 5 lounge
6/20/07 ny, ny the living room
6/19/07 ny, ny the cutting room
6/8/07 los angeles the troubador
6/6/07 san diego canes bar & grill
3/31/07 hollywood hotel cafÃ©
1/17/07 hollywood sync la (nettwerk)
1/14/07 hollywood the viper room
12/20/06 wash., d.c. velvet lounge
12/15/06 philadelphia grape st.
12/14/06 ny, ny the cutting room
12/11/06 albany, ny valentines
12/09/06 burlington, vt club metronome
11/30/06 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
11/05/05 los angeles ps arts benefit show
11/04/05 los angeles the mint
10/07/06 burlington, vt club metronome
10/06/06 philadelphia the tin angel
10/05/06 ny, ny the cutting room
9/23/05 los angeles the mint
9/02/06 hollywood genghis cohen
8/28/06 hermosa, ca the shore
8/21/06 hermosa, ca the shore
8/17/06 hollywood genghis cohen
8/14/06 hermosa the shore
8/07/06 hermosa the shore
8/05/06 venice, ca good hurt
8/03/06 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
6/29/06 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
6/11/06 las vegas house of blues
5/25/06 ny, ny mercury lounge
5/13/06 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
4/8/05 los angeles room 5 lounge
3/23/06 ny, ny the living room
2/18/06 los angeles room 5 lounge
1/26/06 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
12/30/05 ny, ny mercury lounge
12/29/05 philadephia the trocadero
12/10/05 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
11/23/05 philadephia grape st.
11/10/05 ny, ny the cutting room
11/05/05 los angeles the mint
10/15/05 hollywood the key club
10/08/05 los angeles room 5 lounge
9/01/05 los angeles molly malone's
8/13/05 hollywood the viper room
7/31/05 hollywood the joint
7/18/05 hollywood the cat club
7/16/05 ny, ny the cutting room
6/28/05 hollywood lava lounge
6/24//05 philadelphia world cafe live
6/12/05 las vegas cox pavilion
6/11/05 las vegas fremont st.
6/04/05 los angeles room 5 lounge
5/21/05 venice, ca the good hurt
5/15/05 hollywood vine st. lounge
4/16/05 los angeles molly malone's
4/09/05 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
3/26/05 philadephia grape st.
3/20/05 los angeles the whisky
3/12/05 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
2/10/05 austin, tx lucky lounge
2/10/05 austin, tx jb & sandy show
1/29/05 ny, ny piano's
1/22/05 bryn mawr villanova university
1/07/05 ny, ny luna lounge
12/11/04 philadelphia world cafe live
12/09/04 brooklyn the kettle black
12/04/04 ny, ny the cutting room
11/24/04 philadephia grape st.
11/02/04 ny, ny sin-e
10/09/04 philadephia world cafe live
10/03/04 ny, ny piano's
9/25/04 philadephia grape st.
9/18/04 bryn mawr villanova university
8/26/04 bryn mawr the point
8/07/04 ny, ny mercury lounge
7/29/04 brooklyn trash
5/26/04 ny, ny the knitting factory
5/22/04 ny, ny the cutting room
4/28/04 ny, ny mercury lounge
3/20/04 ny, ny luna lounge
2/24/04 ny, ny fez
2/20/04 ny, ny the cutting room
2/17/04 ny, ny fez
2/15/04 los angeles hotel cafÃ©
2/10/04 ny, ny fez
2/03/04 ny, ny fez
1/30/04 bryn mawr the point
1/29/04 ny, ny luna lounge
1/24/04 ny, ny fez
12/11/03 ny, ny luna lounge
11/26/03 philadelphia grape st.
11/14/03 los angeles genghis cohen
10/16/03 ny, ny sidewalk cafe
10/04/03 ny, ny luna lounge
9/27/03 manayunk grape st.
9/13/03 ny, ny the cutting room
8/14/03 ny, ny luna lounge
8/07/03 ny, ny baggott inn
7/18/03 ny, ny le bar bat
6/27/03 ny, ny luna lounge
5/30/03 ny, ny mercury lounge
5/24/03 philadelphia pontiac grille
5/10/03 ny, ny luna lounge
4/19/03 manayunk grape st.
4/05/03 ny, ny luna lounge
3/15/03 ny, ny the cutting room
2/27/03 ny, ny fordham university
2/13/03 ny, ny the cutting room
1/24/03 ny, ny luna lounge
12/21/02 ny, ny luna lounge
12/07/02 ny, ny the cutting room
11/27/02 manayunk grape st.
11/09/02 ny, ny luna lounge
9/28/02 ny, ny the cutting room
9/14/02 philadelphia pontiac grille
8/03/02 los angeles the gig
8/08/02 los angeles the mint
8/24/02 ny, ny luna lounge
6/15/02 ny, ny luna lounge
5/1//02 ny, ny the cutting room
4/25/02 ny, ny the triad
4/13/02 ny, ny the triad
4/11/02 ny, ny luna lounge
3/27/02 brooklyn luxx
3/23/02 ny, ny the triad
2/01/02 ny, ny bar b
1/20/02 ny, ny luna lounge
1/06/02 ny, ny mercury lounge
12/19/01 ny, ny indigo bar
12/18/01 ny, ny sin sin
12/05/01 ny, ny the cutting room
1/17/01 ny, ny the cutting room
12/12/00 ny, ny the triad
11/18/00 ny, ny the cutting room
6/27/00 ny, ny the triad
LIVE/ALBUM REVIEWS:
LAist.com - Hotel Cafe Show Review
Music Connection Magazine - Viper Room Show Review
Songwriter Universe - Song Contest Winner
NY Rock - Lost at Sea Album Review
The Daily Vault - Lost at Sea Album Review
The Daily Vault - Incommunicado Album Review
Shakefire - Lost at Sea Album Review
Tastes Like Chicken - Incommunicado Album Review
Left Off The Dial - Incommunicado Album Review
Jersey Beat - Cutting Room Show & Incommunicado Album Review
INTERVIEWS:
JB & Sandy Morning Show - Mix 94.7FM Austin, TX - Phone Interview
JB & Sandy Morning Show - Mix 94.7FM Austin, TX - In-studio Interview/Performance
PODCASTS:
Musician's Cast - Master McCarthy interview with hosts Peter Bowman and legendary engineer Shelly Yakus
The Merry Andrews Show
QUOTES:
"Bryan Master has been one of the most consistently successful acts the club has seen in past years - he is one of the only musicians who can consistently pack this room and is one of the most promising acts we showcase."
- Steve Walter, Manager - The Cutting Room, NYC
"Bryan Master brings back the focus on a strong singer songwriter with an excellent group. His catchy pop hooks and clever tongue-in-cheek lyrics are filled with integrity and passion."
-Rob Sacher, Owner - Luna Lounge, NYC
"...professional, personable, and songs that leave you humming. Bryan Master combines introspective lyrics with memorable melodies during his captivating performances. Bryan also has the most unique guitar technique I have ever witnessed. Did I mention the man can pack a room?â€
- Andrew Geigert, Booking Agent - Grape St. Philadelphia
"I was fortunate enough to see him live when I was up there in October. Unbelievable show! As you all know, I am a big Toad the Wet Sprocket fan and he and his band sound just like them."
-DJ Digitz, Mix 94.7FM - Austin, TX
Booking & other inquiries: [email protected]
Mailing List: Click here for updates
Street Team: Click here to help
EPK: SonicBids
About the Author, By the Author:
hi, I'm bryan. i love music - i play a bunch of instruments and write songs. i live in venice, california. i moved to LA from new york city (by way of beautiful south Jersey/Philly) where I toughed it out for 10 whole years.
i grew up playing piano and drums and then one day, in a post-graduate haze, I woke up in front of a microphone with a guitar in my hand. although i can still play a mean beat, i now spend my time playing frontman around la, nyc and philly - and everywhere in btwn. I'm right-handed, but play guitar left-handed and upside down - it's weird and I blame the Muppets (seriously - I was a huge fan as a child and every Jim Henson character holding a guitar is a 'Southpaw' for some reason).
all my life, i've primarily listened to loud, hard, aggressive music. nowadays, I write music that my parents seem to like - they're either just being really supportive, or i've gone soft somewhere along the way...go figure. my music takes many different directions...so hopefully you'll like one (or all) of them.
i've released two independent albums and am currently in Los Angeles writing new material, playing with a full backing band and preparing to record my next album. I am looking to begin publishing my work and to begin placing songs in TV/Film soundtracks...so please feel free to contact me about such opportunities. thanks for stopping by.
Musical Raves:
i grew up listening to punk rock, hard rock, classic rock, alternative rock and folk rock - that's a lot of rocks, i know...so the music I write is pretty eclectic as a result and my influences vary. for instance, my favorite band - the Beatles (of course...but GnR's up there too); my favorite lyricists - Elvis Costello , Elliott Smith and Alanis Morissette ; my favorite guitarists - Slash and Waddy Wachtel (most under-rated - probably Lindsey Buckingham ); favorite drummer - Grohl , period...but Charley Drayton's a bad-ass guy to know, too ; my favorite album - some days it's 'Nevermind' and other days it's 'Automatic for the People' ...and then, on some of my favorite days, it's 'Pony Express Record' by Shudder to Think; favorite song - now that's a tough one...probably 'Perfect Day' by Lou Reed or 'Cathedrals' by Jump, Little Children ...I want that one played at my funeral (Honorable mention: 'It's the Life' by Grant Lee Buffalo ); my favorite live bands - Sex Slaves & Don McCloskey ...go see them, you'll understand why. so, these are just some examples of where the hell my music comes from (and/or gratuitous name-dropping...).
Please get involved in helping these organizations help others in need - make them your friends: