Athens' fresh 'acoustic boy' proves talented
By Courtney Baldasare, Staff Writer
April 10, 2008 | 3 p.m.
In a brilliant combination of John Mayer and Jack Johnson with a bit of a Jason Mraz twist, musician Brian-Marcel Edmond has rightfully caught the ears and captured the hearts of many local music lovers.
Edmond played an acoustic set at Ohio University’s Front Room Thursday, April 3 as a part of the weekly Coffeehouse Concert series. He performed without his usual band members at his side, but the music filled the room nonetheless. The coffee shop was abuzz with people enjoying the hearty sound of the guitar and Edmond’s thick, rich voice.
Edmond and his band are clearly talented, though they are still budding musicians and have just recently begun to attract a buzz, especially in the Ohio area. This show was only Edmond's second time playing at OU.
“I can even remember as far back as my first 10 shows that were all hardcore, punk, metal shows," Edmond said. "I remember walking onstage with my little acoustic guitar. [The audiences] appreciated it and respected me for doing it. Now it’s like I’m getting more and more shows.”
Campus gig-goers likely remember Edmond from the Matt Wertz show. Edmond's entire band played as one of the two opening performers for the highly successful Baker Center concert in early February. “Matt Wertz is one of my favorite musicians,” said self-proclaimed “acoustic boy” Edmond. “I was so giddy and excited to play.”
His Front Room set was certainly a small-scale performance, but Edmond has performed at much larger events. The band has already played a stage at the ever-popular Warped Tour. Edmond will also soon be playing with Jason Reeves in Cleveland. Reeves co-wrote several of Colbie Caillat’s songs and performs with her on a regular basis.
“I have to say that I like bigger shows better," Edmond said. "I don’t have to rely on my fan base to come out. I can sort of gain some new listening ears.” The band is undoubtedly gaining steam, and the exposure and opportunities that it has received are admirable at the very least.
Although Edmond’s sound is highly reminiscent of current already-established artists, it is the catchy harmonies and invigorating voice of the band that makes it one to stand out. “Everything’s pretty much been done. Now it’s all about trying to do or play what hasn’t been played that much or trying to put your own spin on things,” Edmond said. “Hopefully I can catch people’s ears and eyes before I even play.”
Much to the pleasure of those who have already been caught, the band will soon be releasing its latest album, “At Some Point in Time,” April 22. Interestingly enough, one of Edmond’s favorite songs on the album was written the night after his first OU stage appearance with Matt Wertz.
“I was here just hanging out. I met this one girl. We got to talking, and I wrote the song," Edmond said. "It’s catchier and lyrically a song that describes the situation. You can see what’s going on. Everyone goes through that.”
The album consists of seven songs, but the band has another album to be released, which will have an additional four songs. “Just the words and how I sing it and everything… It just gets you," Edmond said of the upcoming album's style.
"I try not to do things too slow or too fast. I try to keep a medium, sort of. What I try to do in music is incorporate. Everything is simple, but together it’s complex,” he said.
Edmond is certainly not a musician with a great deal of stage fright. In fact, he seems quite the contrary.
“I’m actually a thousand times better live than I am on CD. For some reason, I just can’t get the same feeling and emotion into recording as I can live,” Edmond admitted. The love of the stage that this musician has is apparent when he performs. As a budding performer who is trying to gain admirers, it is a useful quality to possess.
Among the members of the crowd-alluring band is Edmond’s twin brother, Brandon-Marshall. They have been nearly inseparable for all 22 years of their lives, which sometimes causes minor tiffs and disagreements. Regardless, they cooperate smoothly in terms of music when all is said and done.
“Literally, you won’t find two people like my brother and I who can do what we do,” Edmond said.
The band’s sweet melodies could easily win the admiration of any listener, regardless of taste. If the pleasant guitar chords do not captivate, then Edmond’s voice certainly will. He and his brother work in unison to complement each other beautifully and to create a very enjoyable sound.
From his John Mayer and Matt Wertz covers right down to his raw, original songs, it is easy to see that he has talent, wit and heart. There is a great deal of intrigue in this new, acoustic musical act, and Brian-Marcel Edmond is every bit promising.
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