Bonnaroo Band of the Day: Brett Dennen

Bonnaroo Artist | Brett Dennen
Bonnaroo History | 2005 & 2009
Stage & Time | TBA

As we’ve been doing for the past several years now, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with as many bands as we can from Bonnaroo‘s impressive 2016 lineup. We’ll start from the bottom and work our way up, paying special attention to the smaller and lesser known acts on this year’s bill. Keep reading for your Bonnaroo Band of the Day…

LEARN

Growing up near the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Brett Dennen was encouraged from a very young age to pursue music. Home schooled, his creativity was nurtured by his free spirited family, and after becoming accomplished on guitar, he began to write songs as well. In 2004 he released his self-titled debut, and by 2008’s Hope for the Hopeless, he’d started to perfect his pop folk sound, which highlights his instantly recognizable voice. That record was also his first collaboration with a big time producer, John Alagia (Dave Mathews Band, John Mayer), which propelled his mostly acoustic ditties to brave new heights.

After a slight departure with 2011’s Loverboy, which featured more danceable numbers, Brett took some extended time off. He bought a place near where he grew up, returning to his roots, got back into painting watercolors, and pursued some other artistic endeavors. Of course he never stopped writing, and soon enough he was releasing Smoke and Mirrors (2013). Never afraid to try new things, Dennen came to Music City to record his latest offering, Por Favor, which drops on May 20. Seeming to have his fingers in infinite pies, local super producer Dave Cobb hosted Brett for two weeks at his home studio, and together they hammered out the ten track LP. Head below to hear “What’s the Secret?” from the upcoming LP, and revisit older cut “Comeback Kid.”

LISTEN | “What’s the Secret?”