This 24-year-old is learning and evolving quickly.

A14

Jim Lavoie

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Like other New Brunswickers, Fredericton's Andy Brown has been under the heavy onslaught of weather. Except in his case it's been raining opportunity all over this multi-dimensional, talented singer/songwriter.

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It's been a rocking past few months for Brown as he hit Calgary for a string of shows winning over scores of new followers who have been clamouring for his return. Then it was off to North Bay, Ontario for the North Rocks the Bay Festival. He was the opening act for the likes of David Wilcox, and Colin James. He was also one of the four finalists for the Harvest Galaxie Rising Stars Showcase.

Over the next month, however, he may experience the ultimate in charting his musical destiny, which at this point seems unlimited.

"It starts on August 30 when I'll have the privilege of being part of a large array of talented musicians and artists performing and on display at the Capital," said the 24-year-old Brown. "The occasion is the official launch of Feelsgood.ca which good friends of mine created. It has the right feel of an online networking site for musicians and artists." The Woodstock native and UNB graduate has high praise for the bar that continually hosts live music.

"I'll feel right at home at the Capital as I'm a regular headliner and I want to praise them for their great venue and their treatment of musicians." But it doesn't stop there for Brown.

"On September 13, Saturday, at 7 p.m., and this is so right on, I'll be doing an hour-long set as part of The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival," said an excited Brown. "I'll be on the PQA Electric Tannery Stage. I'll be able to perform cuts from my new CD False Alarm (to be released this fall) along with Drummer Scotty Sampson and Andy Cotter on bass." Also Forward Media Design is building a new website for Andy and will be up and operating in short order. For now though, check out his sites at www.myspace.com/andybrownmusic, www.sonicbids.com/andybrownsound, or www.andybrown.ca.

The rise of Andy's star is even more significant because just seven years ago he'd never even played an instrument, nothing, nada. But inspired by an in-person live Dave Matthews show one night, he decided he'd found his calling. The one small problem though, was that he was guitar-less.

So he explained his desire to make music his profession to his parents and good friends. They didn't try to dissuade him, but instead they believed in him. Two weeks later, with not a single lesson, not only was he playing the guitar - he'd written his first song.

"I play by ear, I feel it, I hear it, it's like an extension of me," says Brown. "It's beyond me why."

Then came the keyboard. Once again his supporters believed in him. "These people and especially my mother and father are unconditional in their support and it's for the grace of them I've achieved what I've done to date and will do in the future," says a grateful Brown. Like the guitar, the keyboard was easily mastered by Brown and his writing skills were greatly enhanced.

In September 2006, after taking his writing ability to a new level, Brown released his debut album Quicksand Confusion and it was met with great reviews. His album of six original tracks was snapped up by his followers. Brown says much of his sales were via ipod downloads. He sees the Internet and downloads as the lifeline for indie artists to stay afloat. Random Angel and Tangerine (used in a CBC production) stood out in particular.

"I think Andy has a fantastic sound," says local blues guitarist Keith Hallett. "His songwriting/performing skills take you in. Andy's been working on a style of his own and is accomplishing that through heartfelt ballads straight through to funky tunes done with a band behind him. I wish all the best for Andy's success. I think he deserves it and he's a hell of a guy to boot."

The sound that renowned guitarist Keith Hallett is referring to is one that Brown has worked very hard to establish and yet, outside of musical influences like David Gray, Dave Matthews and others like Coldplay, remain unique/original. It's something he's accomplished because although he does fantastic covers it's when he does his originals that his audiences react the most.

He knows what works, adds something to the mix and is off in another direction while keeping the song together. It's why his songs are longer than the average tune. He lets each song find its natural finish and isn't bound to a clock. This is something he's acutely aware of in terms of commercial play and he will, if reluctantly, address that in the future... He's also cognizant that a steady stream of ballads, despite their strength, is folly and therefore he sets the cadence of his shows to just the right mix.

Brown's fall release of False Alarm is a coming of age musical milestone for him. It promises to be sharper, edgier, more rock, in a more expressive and mature delivery.

"It's a mix of 30 per cent rock and dark, 30 per cent calm and slow with 40 per cent somewhere in between laughs," Brown. "This one is 100 per cent of me. It's what my supporters deserve."