Let's Stay Together

Don't Even

Why Oh Why

Breakin' Up

A Little Bit Closer

From Brent & Co's 2012 EP "Not How We Dream"

Home

My New Life

Second Line

This song is about the incredible skaters you can find on any Saturday during the summer at the National Park Service's Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion and, more broadly, about spending a lovely day in Anacostia Park. A true gem of Washington, DC.

To Learn More;
Anacostia Watershed Society - anacostiaws.org
National Park Service - nps.gov/anac
Year of the Anacostia - yearoftheanacostia.com

Map Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
Design Credit: Jacob Robinson

Circle 8s

Maybe the first ever ode to a sewer tunnel - in particular DC Water's Clean Rivers Tunnel Project that will remove millions of gallons of untreated sewage from entering the Anacostia River. Also a reflection on/a call to our better nature to care of our environment. I figure we needed one song to really beat people over the head with a message.

To Learn More;
Anacostia Watershed Society - anacostiaws.org
National Park Service - nps.gov/anac
Year of the Anacostia - yearoftheanacostia.com

Map Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
Design Credit: Jacob Robinson

Clean Rivers

In 1742, during the late colonial period, Bladensburg, MD was founded and named in honor of Maryland governor Thomas Bladen. During this period the Anacostia River could accommodate ocean going vessels along it's entire length and Bladensburg's 40 ft. deep harbor (in addition to it's location on the "highways" of Annapolis Road & Georgetown Pike)* made it a natural in-land seaport. In 1747 the Port of Bladensburg became a tobacco inspection station where "hogheads" (1000 lb barrels) stuffed with tobacco were inspected and graded.

At one point Bladensburg was one of the largest ports on the East Coast (second only to Yorktown, VA)*. However the increase in tobacco production and population in the Anacostia watershed brought along human waste, deforestation and poor topsoil management. These factors led to the Port of Bladensburg quickly fill with silt and eventual become unusable. This song is set around the year 1762 once the port's fortunes started to decline.

*Wennersten, John R. Anacostia: The Death & Life of an American River. Baltimore, MD: The Chesapeake Book Company, 2008

To Learn More;
Anacostia Watershed Society - anacostiaws.org
National Park Service - nps.gov/anac
Year of the Anacostia - yearoftheanacostia.com

Map Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
Design Credit: Jacob Robinson

Bladensburg Way

As you travel south down the river from the Port of Bladensburg towards the MD / DC border the river bends gently to the right. Into this bend flows the Dueling Creek tributary - named for the infamous Bladensburg dueling grounds situated at its headwaters. From 1808-1868 approximately 50 duels took place here to settle "affairs of honor" between gentlemen, military officers and politicians.** Some duels of note include one in 1820 between naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron and one in 1836 between Daniel Key (son of Francis Scott Key) with a fellow Naval Academy midshipman John Sherbourne over a question regarding steamboat speed.**

This song was lyrically inspired by an article from 1858 in Harpers Magazine article about a duel between second-cousins Gen. Armistead T. Mason & Col. John. M. McClarty. It's a tragic tale, well worth the read, presented here as a dialog between them as they work toward the bloody conclusion of their feud.


Suggested Reading:
 **Bladensburg Dueling Grounds" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bladensburg_Dueling_Grounds

Harpers Magazine 
https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ8wAAAAMAAJ&dq=Bladensburg+Dueling+Grounds+Harpers&pg=PA471&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

To Learn More;
Anacostia Watershed Society - anacostiaws.org
National Park Service - nps.gov/anac
Year of the Anacostia - yearoftheanacostia.com

Map Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
Design Credit: Jacob Robinson

Dueling Creek

Set in modern day, it's about the songwriter's favorite stretch of the Anacostia River from Dueling Creek (in MD) to the National Arboretum (in DC). This section of the river presents a visitor with the juxtaposition between the throbbing Rt. 50 highway/Amtrak bridges that delineate the border between DC & MD and the quiet, raw beauty of a river that *appears* almost untouched by man.

To Learn More;
Anacostia Watershed Society - anacostiaws.org
National Park Service - nps.gov/anac
Year of the Anacostia - yearoftheanacostia.com

Map Credit: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
Design Credit: Jacob Robinson

Float Away

Acoustic cover of 'Mr. Brightside" by the Killers

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Cover of 'Aint No Woman Like The One I've Got" by the Four Tops

Aint No Woman (Like The One I've Got) - The Four Tops

Acoustic cover of "Just To See You Smile" by Tim McGraw

Just To See You Smile - Tim McGraw

Acoustic cover of "#Beautiful" by Mariah Carey

#Beautiful - Mariah Carey (ft. Miguel)

Acoustic cover of "Aint Nobody" by Chaka Khan

Ain't Nobody

Acoustic cover of "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse

Valerie - Amy Winehouse

Why Oh Why - Brent & Co [Acoustic]

Wait In Vain - Bob Marley [Acoustic Cover]

Valerie - Amy Winehouse [Acoustic Cover]

Two Step - Dave Matthews Band [Acoustic Cover]

Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins [Acoustic Cover]

Time In A Bottle - Jim Crocce [Acoustic Cover]

Im On Fire - Bruce Springsteen [Acoustic Cover]

Idea Of You - Dave Matthews [Acoustic Cover]

I Want You - Bob Dylan [Acoustic Cover]

Everlong - Foo Fighters [Acoustic Cover]

Friend Of The Devil - Grateful Dead[Acoustic Cover]

A Little Bit Closer [Original] - Acoustic Duo Version

Keeping it simple and soulful, Brent & Co. combines rock, country, reggae and pop with improvisation to create memorable and refreshing music with heart and soul. Performing over 250 shows a year, this is a sound crafted on the road and in front of music lovers nationwide.  After touring and releasing on 2012’s Not How We Dream EP, Brent & Co. are eager to unleash their new music on the world and continue bringing their live show to fans far and wide.

The self-titled new release starts off with A Little Bit Closer, an acoustic rock reflection on the complexities of modern love.  Showcasing Brent & Co.’s signature pop-rock sound, this is the perfect opening track, with a killer saxophone solo to set the mood.  The next track, Breakin Up is a dedication to the three-chord reggae soul of the legendary Gregory Isaacs.  Moving into sweet rock steady and reggae territory is natural for the band and provides an injection of uplifting soul to the mix.  Brent & Co. has a foundation of Americana, country and folk music and these influences can be heard on Why Oh Why.  The third track is about the frustration of mixed signals among lovers, a theme familiar to many listeners and has already been a big hi in the live show.  Many of the songs are inspired by the trials and tribulations of love, and Don’t Even is a contemplative string driven ballad about the frustration found in relationships.  A more upbeat song about love is Collected, with a danceable beat, strong horns and urgent lyrics throughout.  Brent & Co. is no stranger to funk, and this track really embraces a horn driven groove to great effect. Closing out the release is Let’s Stay Together, a loving tribute to Al Green and one of the best songs ever written.  This version really showcases the band’s organic live sound and strength as a quartet, and it works really well to close out the EP on a sweet note.

The Brent & Co. EP has a little something for everybody; deep and meaningful love songs, tributes to some of their favorite musicians and fine musicianship throughout.  Ranging from acoustic rock and folksy Americana to skanking rock steady reggae and horn heavy funk: with a passion for life and music tying it all together.   This EP has a broad appeal to new and old fans alike and listeners of all ages and backgrounds.

Brent & Co.

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