Meet Alex Brannon

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alex Brannon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alex below.

Alex, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
It is a hardship, for sure. For a period of time, I couldn’t write even if my band depended on it. As weird as it is to say, there was just so much going on around in 2022, I couldn’t stay focused to write a new tune, even if I had a gun to my head. I wanted to, truly.. but did NOT know where to even start. That’s when I started writing in my notepad whenever I had a thought. Gathering my thoughts, collectively. Fast forward two years, I have never been happier when it comes to songwriting. It doesn’t feel like a task, it feels like I’m sculpting something special. Even if it’s just for me. I hope newcomers and fans will appreciate this “new” songwriting strategy from Elijah and myself. These tunes make us happy and we aren’t beating ourselves up for not writing the next big hit, these songs are for us and anyone who chooses to listen!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Alex Brannon of The Reedy Weeps, I sing 50% of the tunes. Elijah Timothy Sings the other 50%.

We are a band that was formed by my Neighbor, Elijah, and myself. He had an acoustic, and so did I. We formed in 2018 by some bike trails singing our songs, and covers that we liked. Elijah was 18 and I was 16. We eventually started looking into the punk sound that we both appreciated, then after listening to Let it Be, By the Replacements (of course) it set us on the right path to pick up the electric, and bass guitar. We typically do a “musical chairs” type of situation on stage, we can’t play some of these bass notes and sing at the same time or we’d just pick our instrument. We have fun with it. Jack Lutz plays most of the lead guitar and has truly been a wonderful musician AND friend to work with! Mason Martin picked up the sticks for us and helped us record our first album: Folk Lore. With help of Glen Siggers for recording our vocals & guitars in a week’s time. Gavin Hanners eventually joined the group on Drums and we played so many shows together, we all played on the live album, and a few singles together after folk lore. We are currently in the process of recording and demoing a brand new record (or two 😉 )

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, we should have played less shows and focused more on creativity and song writing. It held us back from a lot.

I’m still learning about the music industry and how it works, but one thing I know for a fact: a little bit of help can go a long way. I’m very grateful that the GCAC (Greater Columbus Arts Council) has helped support us two times, and it has all gone to getting new recordings and helping Columbus artists, like our friend, Ax Stinnett (who’s in charge of our shirt/merch)

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My dad plugging in this Electric Guitar and turning his amp on, and it turning it up very loud. That changed me. I knew when I saw him do that, I wanted to do it to. He got me my first Electric that Christmas. It took me some serious motivation, and dedication. But eventually I just never put it down.

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Image Credits
Chandler Moyer

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