Brandon Beebe

Music – Madison

Madison, Wisconsin’s Brandon Beebe has waited a long time for his debut album, “In This Place”, to come to fruition. Luckily, the wait was worth it. The self-produced, self-financed collection is meticulously crafted, and the blood, sweat and tears that went into its creation can be both heard and felt. Lyrically, it is often raw and direct, while at other times it is allusive and poetic. Beebe’s rich vocals are delivered with both confidence and vulnerability, reminiscent of Cat Stevens, Elliot Smith, Ben Harper, and Ray Lamontagne, but at once all his own. Sonically, its textures range broadly: from acoustic guitars surrounded by cello and violins, to swelling tones from electric guitars and keyboards, to haunting, layered harmonies to afro-funk beats with Brazilian percussion. Songs like “Ghost” provide the perfect soundtrack for a cold winter’s evening, while “She’s the Moon” recalls summer’s sweat and excitement. The album’s diverse stylistic range and depth make it apparent that “In This Place” is no ordinary singer-songwriter album, and Beebe is no ordinary performer.