Sometimes with a rhythm section or other accompaniment, sometimes without. Depends on the gig.
Influences
Broken-hearted drunks and love-struck troubadors: Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Big Bill Broonzy, Janis Joplin, Furry Lewis, Dave Van Ronk, American culture, Lonnie Johnson, Charley Patton, Bonnie Raitt, Woody Guthrie, Chet Baker, Paul Pena, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Robert Johnson, Mississppi John Hurt, Kurt Cobain, Jack Daniel's, Neil Young, Lead Belly, Kid Bailey, Gram Parsons, et al.
'What's the Difference'. A cynic's lament. Picked on a National Style O.
'Walking Blues'. Slide guitar blues, a la Muddy Waters. I love my old Stella guitar.
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**AVAILABLE FOR HOUSE CONCERTS, PRIVATE FUNCTIONS, AND PARTIES.**
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BIO
Brendan Hogan was born out of the deep muck of the River Charles’ banks - literally - in the old wing of Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts circa 1980. He’s fourth generation, somehow, in a city where transience is all but a given; coming from a long line of police officers and butchers, undertakers and nurses.
As a teenager Brendan was an outsider and introvert, preferring the sound and mystery of music to bubble gum and gossip. Being from the Northeast and coming up in a family of type-A personalities, the blues did not come to Brendan so much as he frantically sought it out. In high school, Robert Johnson’s 1930s Columbia recordings were on steady rotation in his bedroom stereo as he slept. Brendan thought it would become a part of him through osmosis, and it did. As most kids discovered Blind Melon, Brendan found Blind Lemon Jefferson. In his tastes, Lead Belly has always precluded Led Zeppelin.
As a teenager Brendan was an outsider and introvert, preferring the sound and mystery of music to bubble gum and gossip. Raised in the Northeast and coming up in a family of type-A personalities, the blues did not come to Brendan so much as he frantically sought it out. In high school, Robert Johnson’s 1930s Columbia recordings were on steady rotation in his bedroom stereo as he slept. Brendan thought it would become a part of him through osmosis, and it did. As most kids discovered Blind Melon, Brendan found Blind Lemon Jefferson. In his tastes, Lead Belly has always precluded Led Zeppelin.
Brendan has indeed made a name for himself as solo artist and as a regular member of the traveling caravan of young Cambridge and Somerville-based singer/songwriters. His initial foray into the blues, combined with good musicianship, has resulted in Brendan becoming just a damn fine songwriter. As with the finest examples of Lucinda Williams, he manages to let the blues influence good songs instead of always being the focus.
It’s been said that there are innovators and there are curators. Brendan Hogan manages to be both. Not long after he was old enough to have a beer at a bar, he began hosting and producing 'Blues on WGBH', imparting a wealth of knowledge to radio listeners, introducing them to old blues classics and forgotten tunes as well as new artists from the Boston area and beyond.
"Brendan Hogan is a Zen warrior for the blues — a talented country style picker, singer, songwriter and performer...." – Ted Drozdowski, The Boston Phoenix.
With residencies at renowned Boston area venues and tour dates on the horizon, Brendan is rapidly making a name for himself as a performer locally and beyond.
MDR is offering 8 hours of free studio time to an up and coming New England artist via Sonicbids. I wanted to give you a heads up and send you over to our posting. If you're interested, you can submit your EPK for review.
Brendan Hogan glowed the night solo to begin the Fri show at Plough & Stars where "embers float down one by one". Near the end "Brenden Hogan" and "Kaitlin Dibble's Delusions of Grandeur"were feeling "wayward ways" singing of the "City of Refuge". Guitar strings bending the night into place. Love to you Brendan Hogan standing alone and with Delusions of Grandeur.
Thanks for the add, and for all you do to keep the music alive!
Jack Radcliffe and “the gang” at Wepecket Island Records Rolling Roots Revue: 20 cities in 25 days, March 9 – April 4, 2009! In Taunton, MA, at Steve's Backstage Pass on March 27. Come on down and jam with us!
HI thnx for the friendship and it’s nice to know you! Think it’s nice to be connected with musicians all over the world. In music we are all alike and speak the same language!!! I think you have very nice music, I enjoyed listening to it…… really sounds GREAT …. !! I respect your work. Greets from “D E E Z E L” (Belgium) and lots of luck in every thing you do!! If you can find the time check out my music too please and tell me what you think, “Love junky” ‘is gonna be our first single release this year ?? (thnx)
Hi Brendan! Thanks for adding me. I'm just discovering the Boston folk scene via MySpace. Your music is amazing, so gentle and honest. Hope to hear you live sometime.
I hate missing out on good shows. I am trapped in Indiana, and it's just wrong. But no no, you New Englanders go on frolic about that's great you folks get Brendan Hogan and good drinks. I got Indiana and ... corn woohoo. Pass the Thunderbird I got 48hrs. Galavant! Frolic the livelong day! All of you. See you soon.
I can't wait to see you at Amazing Things on thursday night. Heads up, the center is now in down town Framingham at the firehouse. It's all on our website.
Brendan, It was nice meeting you at the Acoustic Coffee House the other night. I hate that you did not get to play the Down Home. Maybe on your next trip. Love and Happiness.....Elizabeth
