Brian Granse

Portland, Oregon- With his latest album, The Longwall, Brian Granse pushes further into Americana with a songwriter’s focus and ability to capture authentic moments and characters. Granse paints with classic Americana instruments, gluing together rich arrangements with “poetic lyrics and enchanting melodies that will ignite your soul,” writes Happy Mag music journalist Amy Davidson. The Longwall, itself a reference to longwall coal mining, weaves together blue-collar themes that highlight the beauty, grit, and desolation that is rural America.

With appearances by Portland musicians like Kyleen King, who arranges strings for Brandi Carlile’s band, and pedal steel guru Paul Brainard (who often accompanies Granse on stage and graces the albums of Blitzen Trapper, M. Ward, and the Decemberists), it’s clear that the Portland music community believes in what he’s doing. Terry Currier, the owner and curator of recordings at Portland’s world renowned Music Millennium record store, introduced Granse to fans at an in-store performance for The Longwall’s album release day, encouraging music lovers to experience its magic. Granse reflects on the experience, stating that “it was truly inspiring to have Terry, the guy in all the pictures with heroes like John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, and Lucinda Williams, praising these songs and giving his blessing.”

Glide Magazine describes The Longwall as “a lush and lonesome portrait of hardship… set against a backdrop of desolate flatlands of the midwest,” adding that “Melancholic chords and rich strings fill out the stories that come to life with Granse’s heartfelt voice and acoustic guitar.”

Glide Magazine perfectly sums up Granse’s ability to pull listeners into his songs, stating that “While the music feels deeply emotional, the presence of something larger than Granse himself looms beneath the surface.” In another glowing review, Happy Mag writer Amy Davidson calls The Longwall a “captivating and impactful six-track collection,” giving the album high praise in the Sydney, Australia publication’s September 2022 issue.

As a performer, Brian Granse breathes immediacy and emotion into every line, taking inspiration from the classic Rock vocals of Springsteen and the soulful heart of Otis Redding, but presenting with more recent textures like Ray LaMontagne and James Bay. At his core, Granse gracefully creates Americana gems that fold beautifully into playlists alongside modern songwriters like Jason Isbell, John Moreland, Gregory Alan Isakov, Leif Vollebekk, and Brandi Carlile.

Brian Granse leaves audiences feeling inspired, carrying forward the torch that is Americana and Folk music in a way that honors both the legacy and the future of the genre. The landscape is looking bright for the Portland-based artist, who continues to captivate audiences in the Pacific Northwest with songs and performances that are both gripping and intimate.