Bucky
This is a modern-day masterpiece. Daniel Rice has a natural vocal tone that seamlessly carries itself across all of his varied stylistic projects. I'd argue Brim is every bit as impressive as the main act Westing. The upbeat cosmic energy combined with the steel guitar interludes, vocal gold, and driving rhythm section is hard not to be completely awe struck with. Perhaps this is really his "main act" and those hard rock albums are just a side project?
Singer-songwriter Daniel Rice and bandmate Hayden Doyel originally formed Brim as a rootsy side project to their main gig in psychedelic hard-rock band Slow Season, now known as Westing. Shortly thereafter, Daniel’s wife ReNelle Rice joined the fold, playing keys and fleshing out their three part harmonies.
Written and recorded in their hometown of Visalia, CA, the band's debut album "California Gold" is a paen to the dirt road back streets and down-to-earth humanity of rural California's small towns and agricultural valleys. Local friend and engineer Marc Dwelle recorded most of the album over the course of three summer days in 2019, and David Glasebrook mixed the album at his studio in Oakland, CA. The album recalls the lonesome pedal steel of Bakersfield country, Gram Parson's stories of sin & salvation, and Neil Young's loose and dusty years on the beach.
The first few songs written for the album were inspired by Daniel’s experiences with the growing pains of sobriety and the dwindling dreams of a rock n’ roll band. However, the next batch of songs sprung forth from a meditation on greater and more lasting things on which to pin one's hope and dreams—family, friends, and faith.
Inspired by the humble humanity of the farm towns in California’s San Joaquin Valley that the band calls home, Daniel returned to his roots and wrote about the overlooked nooks and crannies of California flyover territories as a sort of metaphor for finding beauty in the simple things of everyday life. Not the postcard views of Malibu sunsets and sandy beaches, but the California landscape of walnut orchards, rolling hills, and tule fog. No surprise he calls it California Gold.
Royal Oakie Records will release the album on May 20th 2022. Meanwhile, Brim is set to hit the road in the Summer and Fall 2022, and they're dead-set on playing the small towns.
credits
released May 20, 2022
All songs by Daniel Rice and Hayden Doyel
Lyrics by Daniel Rice
Copyright 2021 Daniel Rice (ASCAP) and Hayden Doyel (ASCAP)
Brim is Daniel Rice, ReNelle Rice, Hayden Doyel, Brian Bakalian, and Micah Rice.
We make twangly mom-and-dad rock out of California's southern San Joaquin Valley.
supported by 7 fans who also own “California Gold”
A very clever songwriter and an album that bears many, many repeat listens. Worth the price for the Little Feat reference (in Tehachapi) alone, but it's her way with an image that sticks longest. "You left the building in a flurry / Had your boots on in the house." Caoimhín
Tom Heyman documents life in San Francisco circa 2023, refusing to succumb to easy characterization & instead capturing the city’s nuance. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 22, 2023
Rundgren-esque rock with big hooks and a hint of the baroque, recommended for fans of Jon Brion and post-Kill Rock Stars Elliott Smith. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 20, 2024