As a senior in high school, singer-songwriter Briston Maroney has already made quite the impression on the Knoxville music scene. After jumpstarting his own band, Subtle Clutch, and doing a stint on American Idol, both while still in high school, Maroney has had more of a musical career in his short lifetime than many could dream of. Since then, he has launched his own solo project, won The Open Chord’s summer Battle of the Bands competition, and is now releasing his new album, “Reason To Shake”.
There are the upbeat, quick-tempo tunes like “Hearts on Fire,” and there are the more solemn, laid-back tracks like “Grace” and “Stay”. Then there are tracks like “Run” that start slow and build up. He combines a number of genres, such as pop, rock, and Americana, to make his music palatable to a wide audience. Maroney has found his niche, yet he’s still able to produce tracks that could easily see tons of radio play.
While this is an incredibly well-produced album, it is still a very intimate listening venture because of its Americana nature. The intimate atmosphere is amplified even further with the use of strings in many of the tracks. Maroney has supplied listeners with seven impressive songs here, none of which happen to be filler.
The album title comes from a line in “The In Between”. He sings, “So come to me now, with your questions and your doubts. There is no reason to shake when I’m here.” The track provides a prime example of his songwriting skills. Maroney imparts wisdom far beyond his years within his lyrics. And he conveys an equal talent for song composition and instrumentation within these tracks.
There’s a lot more going on here than you would expect from an album released by someone who is still a teenager. There’s banjo, piano, harmonies, strings, and more. Not only has Maroney poured his heart and soul into the making of this album, but all of the musicians behind him on this release have as well.
If there are only a handful of local albums you listen to over the next few months, this one should be at the top of your list. Maroney packs so much energy and life into his tracks that it’s hard not to take notice. That energy comes off twice as strong in his live performances. If you haven’t gotten a chance to see Maroney live, you should do so. His album release show is set for Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Bridgemore Clubhouse. Tickets for this 6:30 P.M. show can be purchased for $10 via www.eventbrite.com.
