#Soniclunch Episode one: Brett Dennen kicks off the month long festivities
Dennen is telling us to get out and see the world at a time when we need it more than ever. Flame-haired, six-foot-five, and with a singular gift for meditating on life's most meaningful subjects with equal parts innocence and razor sharp wit, you know Dennen from his decade-plus career as a singer/songwriter. With a successful string of albums and four Top Ten AAA singles like "Make You Crazy," "Wild Child," and 2018's "Already Gone," which achieved his highest chart position yet, Dennen has cemented himself as a fixture in American folk music. What you may not know about Brett is that he did not set out to be a professional musician. It is a surprising revelation for someone who embodies the best of songwriting: singular storytelling, singability, and the unique capacity to hold up a mirror to our lives, our society, and the greater world.
In recent years, Brett Dennen has started to let the world in on his secrets. In 2017, he created the "Lift Series" and "Vacationer Series," two annual tours wherein he combines shows in ski and beach towns with conservation initiatives and education in each locale. An avid skier and surfer as well as a conservationist, Dennen works with local organizations to spearhead beach clean-ups and educate young people to become climate stewards, driving awareness through his music and marrying just a few of his many sides in one effort to help drive positive change. He has also begun to sell some of the hundreds of paintings that accumulate in his California home; he has even let us all in on his artistic process through an Instagram video series called Paint and Play. He recently launched Dennen Goods Co., a lifestyle brand that aims to inspire.
Somewhere in all of that, there is still very much the music. Dennen's next release, See The World, is out now on Mick Music. Like the man, himself, the new album is potpourri of experiences and sometimes seeming contradictions. In the album opener and title track, Dennen sings of "diamond beaches" and "prism streams," and reminds us that "You don't have to be rich to get around / There are mansions growing out of the ground." In the refrain, he urges "Days go by / Get out and see the world with your own eyes."
Brett Dennen doesn't take his time on his beloved earth for granted. He is intent on exploring the world and exploring himself in the process. Hence, See The World. The album also happens to come at what we hope will be a turning point for all of us -- where we all hope to be doing just what Brett wants for us -- seeing the world. Quite tangible in the title track and the album as a whole is Dennen's newest and greatest pursuit -- that of father to his young son, Van, for whom this song was written. But it is also easy to imagine him writing it for all of us, gently encouraging us to pick up the paintbrush, jump in the ocean, and climb whatever mountain lies in front of us. Peppered in equal parts with shrewd quips and vulnerable admissions, the album is ultimately an exploration of life's deepest meaning. And that is certainly emblematic of Brett Dennen, who spans wide as both an artist and a human being -- sometimes biting and somehow always generous of spirit -- his arms out to meet you where you are. See The World is, in short, reflective of a life well-explored, a life well-pursued, and, we can hope, a life well-lived.
Chicago native, Althea Grace brought a warm ray of sunshine to the city of Ann Arbor. Once a contestant on season 19 of American Idol, Althea made sure to keep us captivated with her voice. This was the kick-off of a week-long performance string away from her two-year-old daughter, which was the inspiration of her song Saturday Morning.
Want to know what’s next? Click the button to see!
SONIC LUNCH
Started in 2008, Bank of Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch is a free summer outdoor concert series at the corner of Liberty and Division in downtown Ann Arbor Thursdays from 11:30am to 1:30pm, August 5 to September 2. Sonic Lunch features a live band from an impressive array of talent in the region, as well as national and international acts. Each week, lunch will be available on-site for purchase from a local vendor. Sonic Lunch concerts are free and suitable for all ages. Seating is available but lawn chairs are welcome. Join the crowds for an energizing mid-day break or just relax and enjoy the sounds.
Sonic Lunch is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Bank of Ann Arbor. ann arbor’s 107one and Morning Host, Martin Bandyke, provide promotional support and host each event. Perich + Partners provides colorful art As a result, Bank of Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch has become one of the coolest summer events in Ann Arbor. www.soniclunch.com
ABOUT BANK OF ANN ARBOR
Bank of Ann Arbor is a locally owned and operated bank with total assets and assets under management of over $3.4 billion, serving people and businesses in Southeast Michigan with offices at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Ann Arbor, in the Traver Village Shopping Center, at the corner of Stadium and Liberty Streets, on West Ellsworth Road in Pittsfield Township, on West Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti, in Plymouth on Ann Arbor Road, on East Michigan Avenue in downtown Saline, and on Woodward Avenue just north of 14 Mile Road in Birmingham, Michigan. UniFi Equipment Finance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the bank and headquartered in Ann Arbor, is a well-established company with a national presence in the small ticket vendor space. UniFi has funded more than 85,000 transactions, totaling over $1 billion. www.boaa.com / www.unifiedge.com. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
