Chris Bruni: Lead vocals, Acoustic Guitar Dave Manners: Lead guitar, vocals Steve Wallace: Bass Rob DiRocco: Drums please! Darryl Joyner: Percussion, keys, vocals Conga Steve aka "The Boy on the Box": Percussion
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Watch Me Burn, the debut studio album from Philadelphia native, Chris Bruni, captures the soul of this emerging singer-songwriter with distinctive vocal styling, profound lyrics, and melodies that stay with the listener long after the music has ended. It takes adult contemporary rock to a whole new level. Bruni has successfully created a musical experience filled with intensity and sarcasm, complemented with an every-man’s sensibility on life, love, money, and loss. The underlying theme maintains a positive outlook, despite hard times endured and hard lessons learned. The debut album as a whole stirs emotions, evoking a tension between the storyteller and the rock musician.
93.7 WSTW | Hometown Heroes
Chris Bruni wins Best Male Solo Artist 2007!
Chris Bruni has won the award for Best Male Solo Artist in 93.7 WSTW's first annual Hometown Heroes Homey Awards. Chris also received 5 nominations. Featured on WSTW's Hometown Heroes segment in 2007, this is Chris's first Homey Award. Thank you to everyone who voted and be sure to check out the full list of winners on the Hometown Heroes section of WSTW's website.
RadioVolta.org
"Watch Me Burn:" Best Song of 2007!
"Watch Me Burn" has been chosen as the number one song for 2007 by Radio Volta. Radio Volta's program, Kinetic Cuts has selected Chris Bruni's single "Watch Me Burn" as the best song of 2007. Radio Volta is an independent internet radio station based in Philadelphia. Visit RadioVolta.org for more info.
Spark Magazine
Chris Bruni Chosen for Spark's Summer Music Series
Chris has been chosen, along with 14 other acts from the area, to be part of a summer-long competition. The winner, based on YOUR votes, will receive an INCREDIBLE prize pack. Chris will be performing with the full band on AUGUST 17TH at SPENCE CAFE in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Make sure you come out and show your support!
Watch Me Burn Reviw: First Coast News, Jacksonville, FL
"Bruni almost lapses into a Dylan-esque rasp that hints at possibilities he should explore. "Convicted No Proof," for example is a tear jerker that will stop you in your tracks. The strings and raspy vocal here is stirring to say the least. It's not dad rock and that's why it’s good." Paul Zimmerman
First Coast News
OnlineRock.com
One must wonder if somehow, somewhere, Tracey Chapman was involved in a cloning experiment that brought us 26-year-old Chris Bruni. With a distinctive voice that's somewhere on the spectrum between Dave Matthews and David Grey, Bruni deserves as wide an audience... With all that going for it, it would be a sin of the worst sort to condemn Bruni's debut album, Watch Me Burn, to a life in rotation on some random "Adult Contemporary" station somewhere. This is an album that deserves to be heard by everyone... Click here to read the full review
Greenville Community News: Eye on the Arts
Chris Bruni Named an Artist in the Spotlight! Click here to read the full article Adobe PDF (Page 12)
PuckNation.com Review "Watch Me Burn" scores 9/10
...The songs are quite catchy (“Broken Window” has definite hit single potential) and well-performed to the extent that even listeners who don’t like this kind of music will have to appreciate Bruni. Bruni’s vocals on Watch Me Burn are well performed in a soulful singer-songwriter way. The tone of Bruni’s voice is just unique enough to be interesting, without being so unique as to alienate... Read the full review
Graham Bailey, PuckNation.com
Radio Volta Review
I can't say enough about Chris Bruni and his debut CD, Watch Me Burn. I can't stop listening to it. Every song on this CD is different, from the electric guitar on Gargoyle Juice to the drum solo on Songbird. Chris has a tremendous songwriting talent. But, what's better is seeing Chris perform live, truly dynamic! Comparisons pale to this original artist. Folks will be covering these songs one day.
Cindy Wuollet, DJ/General Mgr, Radio Volta
Another Sold-Out Performance at Tin Angel!
Chris Bruni and the band sold out Tin Angel for a second time, playing to a packed house and changing up some of the tracks on Watch Me Burn to really blow the doors off the place. In addition, some new songs made their Philly debut including While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Beatles), Listen, Hey, and Revolution (Tracy Chapman).
The 30-Second Write-In Campaign for Chris Bruni
Chris needs your help! Out and About Magazine is having their first annual Readers' Choice contest and Chris isn't on the ballot! No problem though, because you can write him in for the following categories:
Best Live Act
Best Male Songwriter
Best Vocalist
Dave Manners (Chris Bruni) for Best Guitarist
Chris Bruni (Watch Me Burn) for Best Recording UPDATE: Voting is closed and results will be posted in June. Thanks to everyone who voted!
XM Satellite Radio: RADAR Report Featured Artist
Thursday, March 8th, Chris was a featured artist on XM radio on a program called RADAR Report, which spotlights national unsigned and independent artists. The show airs on: XMU, XM RADIO Channel 43, XM RADIO Online, Direct TV Channel 831 and on AOL, XMU, XM 43, is located on XM SATELLITE RADIO in the United States and Canada.
Philadelphia Magazine
Watch Me Burn, Grade: A-
This debut album from West Chester's Chris Bruni is like the first cup of coffee on a cold morning: warm, soothing, and gratifying. Bruni's primary instrument is his voice, a cross between Dave Mathews and John Mayer, and that's the power behind this record. His lyrics which touch on life's humbling lessons-namely, love and loss-are clear and sincere. The recording captures his clean, simplistic, coffeehouse sound (he was discovered at an open-mike in Wilmington) The title track is sweetly infectious, as is Bruni's cover of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"
Greg Shutack, Philadelphia Magazine
93.7 WSTW Album Review
Chris Bruni's debut CD "Watch Me Burn" is one of those albums that I fully enjoyed on my first listen. A great collection of acoustic-flavored songs--some mellower in the singer/songwriter mode, some with more of a rock edge--and several that resounded with me immediately. Chris has a great, memorable voice that compliments his music and songwriting. An excellent album on his first time out; and I suspect that it only hints at how he will grow as a musician. It's an album that I highly recommend.
Mark Rogers, WSTW 93.7 Wilmington
Chris & Co. jamming at World Cafe Live
Chris Bruni Performs, "One for the Money" at World Cafe Live
If you're interested in volunteering to help spread Chris Bruni's music, please send a message! More to come! Keep checking back!
Born into a family already immersed in the world of the arts, Bruni’s creativity was nourished from the beginning. Having an artist grandfather, an aunt who has worked with painter Andrew Wyeth for over 30 years, and a father who was the director of The Delaware Art Museum for 20 years led Chris to view the world in a unique way.
At 26, Bruni has had his share of musical endeavors fronting various bands in the Mid-Atlantic, but it was an impromptu solo trip to Europe that changed the artist’s life. At 19, with only his guitar and a small backpack of clothes, Bruni boarded a plane to Rome with an open mind and a blank journal. Hopping from train to train, hostel to hostel, and bar to bar, he used his guitar and voice to break the ice in each new city. As people crowded around to listen, someone in the crowd would inevitably help him find his way. This experience gave the songwriter the time to observe the people and world around him and write the songs that would eventually land him a recording deal.
Upon returning home, Bruni performed with area bands while continuing to write and grow as a performer. In 2006, Bruni returned to solo performances and began making the rounds of open mic nights throughout the Delaware Valley, hoping that his music would be heard. During one such performance in Wilmington, Delaware, Bruni was spotted and signed by a representative for emerging indie label, Realize Records.
After intense pre-production sessions led by producer Darryl Joyner (A Thrilled Voice/Marquis Records/ Trading Horror Stories/Realize Records), Chris went into the studio and emerged with a multifaceted collection of songs emulate the depth of Tracy Chapman, the heartfelt emotional turmoil of James Blunt and the energy of Dave Matthews. On his time in the studio, Bruni says, “Recording the album in the time we did really was a result of the chemistry that I believe was felt by everyone involved. From the musicians to the producer to the engineers, everyone came in with the same vision of how these songs should sound, and I believe we really hit the nail on the head.”
Through his musicianship and songwriting, Chris Bruni has captured life experiences that belie his young age. Bruni notes, “My goal is to reach a level of connection with the people who listen to my music. I would hope that, to some degree, the work I create touches people the way that I am touched by the music and artists I appreciate most. I’m a pretty down-to-earth guy and I don’t believe that an outlandish style or personality is necessary as the long as the music is honest and from the heart.”
Thanks for the add awhile back-I've been super busy so I haven't gotten a chance to comment.
I recognized ur name through Laura [she's been a great friend & mentor to me as I'm a budding Philly musician myself.] Would love to meet you sometime at either you're own show or if you are playing @/can make it to one of Laura's shows [I plan on her 7/31 @ Burlap & Bean w/ Kyle Swartzwelder]
Chris, Thanks so much for the add and the comment on my tunes! You material sounds wonderful. I really look forward to catching one of your shows soon, especially if you play with Laura again!
I had to say I was shocked to read a headline tonight saying "Nude Bruni Pic Auctioned." But I thought maybe there was finally a great local musician scandal brewing that I could exploit TMZ-style on Hometown Heroes. No such luck--it turns out Carla Bruni is France's first lady. Oh well. I guess I'll have to keep focusing on music.
Come join us Friday May 15th @ 9:00 PM @ Club Risque! All Out Friday Night featuring Dive, Even The Res, and Spy The Thinker - $10 gets you into the show upstairs and the gentleman's club downstairs. For updates check www.myspace.com/risquelive.
Thank you for the add! ツ Your music sounds great! Be sure to check out my page & if you're ever in the area & need some pictures... Keep me in mind!! :)
Please help Cinder Road on their quest to become "The Next American Star" - click on the link below vote! (You can place five votes per day for Cinder Road).
Heh, funny stuff. Nah, no idiocy. And I can relate. I'm just a simple caveman...I'm frightened by your computers and MySpaces...
I look forward to hearing MORE new Chris Bruni music. I thought 4th of July sounded great on the air on Sunday.
Yo man, I had a great time! Definately would love to do it again. You sounded awesome, great to hear your band as well finally. As long as I don't have to work on friday, I'll be there. Peace, -GB
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