Bryan Master Music - Bio
Master is an exceptional live performer who reaches his audience with great music and human touch... comparable to Elliott Smith and Michael Stipe.
- Music Connection Magazine
Bryan Master is an alternative-rock singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California.
Bryan is currently recording his third studio album, For People Like Us, in Los Angeles with producers Evan Frankfort (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, Rancid, the Wallflowers) and Marc 'Doc'' Dauer (Pete Yorn, Minnie Driver, Jukebox Junkies). The album will feature a collection of amazing guest musicians including renowned organist Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters), Shaun Hague (Amos Lee, Hodges), Luke Adams (Pete Yorn, the Sheers), Jonny Polonsky, Nick Amoroso (Matt Nathanson), Joe Ayoub (Nikka Costa, the Population Game) and Evan Frankfort. The album will be propelled by tracks like 'Moments Like This' and 'The Breakdown' - written by Evan Frankfort and featuring one of Bryan's musical heroes, Pete Yorn, on vocals. The album is slated for a Fall 2008 release.
A long-time drummer-turned-frontman, Bryan uses a blend of acoustic and multi-layered rock, together with his powerful vocals and lyrics, to produce an utterly-eclectic, often indefinable brand of sound. Bryan's songwriting is evidence that he enjoys crossing musical boundaries and eschewing rigid labels. Ballad or heavy rock, acoustic or full band, Bryan defies classification. His haunting ballads might be likened to David Gray, Elliott Smith or Ryan Adams, but his upbeat rock numbers are reminiscent of Tom Petty, Pete Yorn and even Foo Fighters.
Bryan has played at some of New York's premiere venues, including The Cutting Room, Joe's Pub and Mercury Lounge, as well as Hollywood giants including the Troubadour, Key Club and Viper Room. His songs have been featured by major-market radio stations, including Mix 94.7 in Austin, WXPN in Philadelphia and Star 98.7 in Los Angeles. He has also worked with and supported Grammy-nominated artists and recorded with world-renowned musicians and producers.
While living in New York City, he independently released his debut album, Lost At Sea, in 2003 and his sophomore effort, Incommunicado, in the fall of 2004, both of which featured Bryan on nearly every instrument - both are available on iTunes. Lost at Sea featured friend and legendary bassist Phil Chen (the Doors, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Jackson Browne) while Incommunicado's folk ballad, "Find the Words" made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious International Songwriting Competition out of nearly 15,000 entries. 2004 was also highlighted with a month-long residency at the now-defunct New York staple Fez and a sold-out night at Philadelphia's World Cafe Live (as one of the venue's very first performers). This period also introduced radio listeners to Bryan's music when "Now or Never" (Lost at Sea) received plays on Philadelphia's WXPN and he was invited to do an in-studio performance/interview on Top 40 station Mix 94.7fm in Austin.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2005, Bryan collaborated with fellow singer-songwriter Mike McCarthy (as Master McCarthy) on an unreleased album, produced by legendary Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Fiona Apple, My Morning Jacket) and additional production by Steve Perry of Journey. Through the guidance and help of their manager, the duo had the opportunity to work with such legendary session musicians as guitarist Waddy Wachtel, were represented by heavy-weight entertainment attorney Ken Hertz and were even in talks with major labels such as ATO Records (founded by Dave Matthews). Despite mild successes and a promising future, the two musicians amicably parted ways before the release of the album.
Bryan returned to his solo act in mid 2007 and assembled an amazing band of Los Angeles-based musicians. In late 2007 he went on a minor U.S.-tour along the West and East Coasts, kicked off by his debut at the Troubadour and a sold-out show at Hollywood's legendary Viper Room.
2008 was jumpstarted with Bryan as the year's first featured artist on Billboard.com's Billboard Underground series, an online video showcase of an unsigned, on-the-rise artist, where he performed his new "Moments Like This Don't Come Along for People Like Us".
That song most recently earned him the title of 'Fan Favorite' in LA's Star 98.7fm ‘Rock Star' contest, competing for a recording contract - and a second brush - with ATO Records. One of more than 1,000 initial entries, Bryan advanced to the Top 5, performing on Jan. 26, 2008 at Hollywood's Key Club.
Bryan is beginning to dive into the world of song licensing and TV/Film soundtracks, with his haunting "Count to Ten" (Incommunicado) featured in Season 2 of MySpaceTV's original series 'Roommates'. He spends most of his time traveling back and forth between New York City and Los Angeles writing, recording and performing at some of the top clubs on both coasts – as a solo, acoustic act, and with his full backing band.