It seems contemporary folk artists across the nation can’t escape the tag of “the next Dylan” in order to create their own musical identities. However, a revival of singer-songwriters, toting their intricate stories and moaning guitars, are recovering that long-lost storytelling tradition on their own. Out of Grand Forks, N.D., comes possibly one of the most intriguing, independent and dynamic artists of this new generation: Tom Brosseau.
Brosseau’s story is reminiscent of so many of the romantic tales of up-and-coming musicians that only a Nashvillian can truly appreciate. With a most distinctive voice accompanying his vibrant tales of devastating floods and Steinbeckian farmhands, Brosseau landed his first record contract, featuring a clause in which Loveless Records agreed to pay for the mechanic work done to his GMC Jimmy.
It is Brosseau’s prosaic songwriting that immediately stands out to the listener. When asked why his hometown inspires him, Brosseau responded, “The people are as nice as can be, and North Dakota is a friendly state. I’m very proud of its culture and land and its people. I think that basically growing up in a city or state like that you are forced to be outside and enjoy nature. You take note. That’s something I was probably born with, seeing the beauty in things, and so I have come to see that there is beauty all around.”
Brosseau’s eloquence clearly arises from this incredibly rare ability to see the elegance in surroundings many would find mundane. Crooning on the abandonment and melancholy that befalls so many country towns, Brosseau sings, “And I have forgiven the vagrant river, for doing what she’s done to all the valley, to all the buildings, in the ‘97 flood.”
Brosseau’s success may be limited at this point in his career, but his discography is not yet expansive, and his fame and fan base grow every day. The Chicago Tribune listed him as one of the “shafted” artists for not receiving a nomination for best contemporary folk album in 2005 for his first major LP, and NPR has featured him in one of their segments.
One way in which a solo artist from North Dakota has been able to gain fame and a diversified fan base is through the increasing importance of the Internet in selling music. While major artists may complain of a decrease in sales as a result of online music files, artists such as Brosseau, whose music is now featured on eMusic, iTunes and podcasts, have found that the Internet can be very beneficial to them.
“It gives people an opportunity to sample an individual as far as their music is concerned.” Brosseau continued, “It is also good because people who are in remote places are able to download online, and they can do it instantaneously. People become fans overnight because of it. I’ve been to some pretty interesting places this past year and a half, and I would see a lot of people who have downloaded the music from services or Web sites. It’s a positive thing.”
With an upcoming sophomore album slated for release in January featuring contributions from the former lead singer of X, John Doe, Brosseau seems primed to burst onto the scene and become a fixture at a relatively young age. A concert at the Springwater tomorrow presents a chance for Vanderbilt students to witness this unique musician up close and to sample his music.
Read John Parker’s interview with Tom Brosseau.
