Brendan Forrest - Daydreaming Music Fiend (self-released)

All music is the result of some musical journey or creative evolution on the part of its maker. As such, you can often recognise unique strands of sonic DNA that might not otherwise be present in other artists’ work, even if, on the surface, they seem like kindred musical spirits. It is such wayward and wonderful inclusions that make music an artist’s music truly their own.

Such is the case with Daydreaming Music Fiend, which might be Brendan Forrest’s first journey into bluegrass but is far from his first musical adventure. The result of those previous ones—as a Chicago blues man and a Parisian busker, teaching in underserved rural schools, and a widening of understanding playing with African players— all flavour the music, subtly and supplely.

But, this is Forrest as a bluegrass player, and the album is full of suitably riotous and rootys sounds, deft acoustica and delicate creativity. From opener “Rice’s Bag” and its incendiary folk finesse to “Olee Dae’s” layered instrumental textures and earthy tones. From “Song for John Prine” and its suitably celebratory sound to the waltzing, old-time country cool of “When Summer is Gone,” this album walks that perfect line between tradition and forward-thinking, between the familiar and the fresh.

As I said at the start, all music is autobiographical, and an album such as Daydreaming Music Fiend tells you everything you need to know about Forrest’s path through music to date. You just have to know how to read it. I suggest you put the album on repeat and really get to know the artist.

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