No tricks, just soulful indie pop from Brisom
Listen to Brisom's EP “Perspectives” on Spotify.
Brian Sombero is tense.
Normally an affable bear of a man, he barely cracks a smile moments before his band’s EP launch in Craft. He has many friends and well-wishers this night (including solo artist Rizza Cabrera and Kjwan who will open and close the night respectively) but his expression seems more apt for a poker table (which he plays competitively, in fact).
Where is the guy who will either crack a joke or show you, despite your protests, his latest magic trick?
Where he’s from
Sombero is hardly a newcomer.
He led an indie-rock band called Menaya which released a couple of albums driven by his pop-approved melodies; he is also gifted with a clear friendly tenor voice and is a tasteful guitarist.
Menaya broke up in 2011; in 2012, he became one of the 60 campers in the 7107 Music Nation Elements Singer/Songwriter camp and formed his new band called, well, Brisom.
Where he’s now
Their EP “Perspectives” is a departure from Menaya’s more straightforward approach: the band describes itself as “soulful electro/indie rock.”
The EP opener “Muted In Color” features 80s synthesizer, synth bass and drum machine sounds that initially sound too close to the cheesiest bits of 80s cliches until a harmonized guitar line and live drums kick in, and culminate in a catchy soaring chorus sung with enough winsomeness to give you a pained smile borne of a heartbreak.
“Will I” is filled with haunting The XX-approved ambient guitars.
And if Temper Trap went full-pop, you get “Waking Lives.”
Technical problems
The band performs the songs from the EP and a couple of, well, Temper Trap covers.
Sombero seems slightly happier after the performance but the poker player, not the overbearing magician, still occupies his mien.
He later confesses to not getting over technical problems during soundcheck.
Covers not needed
The Temper Trap covers, while played very well indeed and fit the style of the band, seemed unnecessary as if the band did not have enough confidence with its own material.
He need not have worried too much though.
He and co-guitarist Terence Teves (formerly of Orphanlily and a gifted songwriter as well) interwove atmospheric guitar textures that truly brought the EP’s songs to life; they are probably one of the most interesting guitar partnerships in local indie music.
Individual strengths
Timothy Abbott’s choice of synth patches blended so well with the guitars, you wonder if you’re actually hearing one instrument, and not three.
Bassist Jason Rondero sweetens the vocal harmonies.
Jeffrey Castro enhanced his kit with triggered samples; Sombero also proved to be a master of using voice processors tastefully, never succumbing to blatant gimmickry.
An evening of different perspectives
The overall result is a band that clearly knows the style it is shooting for, knows the tools well, and most importantly, has enough pop cred to make one want to punch the radio and scream: why aren’t these songs in there?
Kjwan takes the stage and delivers the sex and the thunder of the night.
It is an evening of, well, different perspectives.
Heart on sleeve
Sombero begins to relax.
He wears his heart on his sleeve and in Brisom’s material… and there is magic there too.
Even when he is poker-faced.
Listen to Brisom's EP “Perspectives” on Spotify.
For more of Brisom, visit their website, Facebook, SoundCloud and follow them on Twitter.
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