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"Turn Your Radio On"!
Brennen and her brother, Seth, arrived in Austin in the summer of 2002 wielding a swinging honky tonk sound - and an eclectic mix of songs ranging from traditional fiddle tunes to Hank’s classics. Brennen & Seth list their influences as everyone from Bob Wills to Gram Parsons to Gillian Welch. "But mostly Hank," Brennen proudly maintains. Brennen calls this record, "the most rock-a-billy thing we have ever done,” referring to the addition of slap bass, pedal steel and drums. All of which are occasional and welcome components of this versatile band. They’re often asked how they, at such a young age, became so well acquainted with "roots music" while growing up in Minnesota? Brennen's frank response to this question is always, "The fact that we got sick of listening to mainstream radio helped. But the big reason my brother and I are into this kind of thing is because it's GREAT music. I would take Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys over some of this new junk any day." The group's repertoire consists of a slew of traditional country, mountain and swing tunes. Their self-penned originals criss-cross categories as well (on “Lonesome, Wild & Blue” their 1st CD). And since Gospel music is a tap-root for these American music genres they naturally dipped into that well too. Brennen Leigh and the band are thrilled to be a part of the Gospel According to Austin. A nod is given to these songs' acknowledgement of the great beyond, their reminder that nothing on Earth is as important as what lies ahead, "when God comes and gathers his jewels." While the songs selected for "Turn Your Radio On” are clearly traditional country-bluegrass Gospel music, the musical arrangements are not “purest”, but rather a confluence of the band’s making. We believe they wound up creating a fresh sound that’ll “move ya”. A nod is given to these songs' acknowledgement of the great beyond, their reminder that nothing on Earth is as important as what lies ahead, "when God comes and gathers his jewels." -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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