braam profile picture

braam

..."You can't stop a freight train"......

About Me


Led by the brothers Braam, vocalist Tom, bassist Mike, and guitarist Scott, the band that bears their name is an under-heralded treasure on the Chicago music scene, crafting smart and melodic alternative folk/guitar rock.
The brothers hail originally from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where they recorded their first record as The Swingset Police, releasing a pure power-pop album on the Black Vinyl label in 1996.
By the end of the 90's the brothers and longtime drummer Peter Drefs decided to change the name simply to Braam and relocated to Chicago to make friends, build their own studio, and record.
After releasing a live recording from a House Of Blues show called LIVE IN CHICAGO (1999), they released GRAVITY & THE RIGHT TO FLY (2003) - a record that quickly defined the scope of Braam and was well received by local rock critic's Jim DeRogatis / Chicago Sun-Times and Richard Milne / 93.1 WXRT.
With the promise of this reception, Braam set about recording a worthy follow-up, their sophomore effort, MADELAINE (2005) with the addition the band's former booking agent Dave Ashdown on rhythm guitar. Drenched with melodies, guitar hooks, and lyrical imagery, the record received 'Best Of 2005' honors from The Illinois Entertainer and 93.1 WXRT.
BRAAM have just finished KINGS I & II, a 17-song, double recording collection of songs that re-affirms the bands prolific ability to create evocative music. Produced and recorded again by the band in their home studio, KINGS I & II is a rock’n’roll tapestry that draws the listener closer toward the semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical world of “the kings”. During the early recording sessions for the album, original drummer Drefs left the band and Ashdown moved to the drums.
.. CDBABY LINK for BRAAM: Kings --

.. CDBABY LINK for BRAAM: Madelaine --

.. CDBABY LINK for BRAAM: Gravity and the right to fly --
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/28/2005
Band Website: web.mac.com/dzari/iWeb/Braam
Band Members: Tom Braam - Vocals , Guitar
Mike Braam - Bass ,Background Vocals
Scott Braam - Lead Guitar, Background Vocals
David Ashdown - Drums
Braam in the studio

Add to My Profile | More Videosbraam in our studio

Add to My Profile | More Videos
Influences: Bob Dylan, Beatles, Beachboys, The Who, Neil Young, the bryds, Big Star, Badfinger, Tom Petty, Plimsouls, Nirvana, REM, The Clash, The Replacements, Queen, Supertramp, Jellyfish, ELO, Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac ..
Sounds Like: Neil Young, The Bryds, Wilco, The Decemberists, Teenage fanclub, REM, Tom Petty, The Shins, Midlake, Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, Cheap Trick, The Replacements, Fleetwood Mac
Record Label: Sauna Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

NEW SONGS

Hello Folks,We just added 2 "fresh" new songs up to our page!!!!! Go listen and please tell us what you think. We are in the process now of recording literally thousands of songs for our next record.....
Posted by braam on Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:46:00 PST

New song up!!!!

..> NEW SONG!!!!!!!! Hey folks...Happy Friday to ya.....and Go cubbies!!! (ouch)....oh well maybe next year? Hey when you have waited this long for a winner..what is a one or two or 25 more years!...
Posted by braam on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:55:00 PST

Check out this video: Braam in our studio

Check out this video: Braam in our studio Add to My Profile | More VideosThis is some video of our studio control room speaker as Tom is adding some vocals to a new song........
Posted by braam on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:01:00 PST

Welcome to the world!!!!

Hey Folks,I am proud to make this important announcement..About an hour or so ago Tom's wife Angela gave birth to there very first child,a little baby girl.Welcome to the world...Eveline Rose BraamNow...
Posted by braam on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:38:00 PST

GARAGEBAND UPDATE

GOOD NEWS FROM GARAGEBAND Another hit!!!! The Clean and the Clear, off of our latest release "Kings I and Kings II" (this track is on Kings II) has scooped up a few more awards for this week, in the "...
Posted by braam on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:08:00 PST

Show TIXS for Friday night

Ok here is the deal................ We have posted a copy of the ticket you can use to pay only $5 at the door Friday night..without a ticket it will cost you $9!!!!  SO......Go to our photo page...
Posted by braam on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:43:00 PST

New Garageband awards

We have entered the Garageband community with our music and so for..the results have been phenomenal.In the Short time that we have been up on the sight, we have won a "Track of the day" spot last Sun...
Posted by braam on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:05:00 PST

OUR NEW GEAR

..> OUR NEW GEAR Well for those of you who plan on coming out to the Abbey Pub on Aug 8th, when we open for "Devil in a woodpile"...you will be the FIRST to witness us and ALL our new gear. Take a ...
Posted by braam on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 08:00:00 PST

New songs Lyrics!!!!!

4th of July........................................................ Music by Braam..words by Tom London .....I could go to London.... get a flat and send for the band and busker in piccadilly.  Ca...
Posted by braam on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:19:00 PST

As heard on WXRT(Chicago) radio tonight!!!!!!!!

Just heard WXRT's Richard Milne play a track from our new record.(Availibe NOW @ cdbaby.com)He said after many plays this week in his car and at his home...the song that stuck out for him was from Kin...
Posted by braam on Mon, 14 May 2007 10:04:00 PST