Local Singer-Songwriter Sean Bruce Announces New Album

Singer-songwriter Sean Bruce, a Lafayette native, has announced plans to release his new album on November 18, 2014.

"Staring At Maps, Pt.1" is the name of the album, and I had the chance to ask some questions about his songwriting.

Sean told me that the inspiration for the album title came from the songs he had written.  "I noticed many of the songs had to do with place, either emotionally or geographically" he said, "I think place makes most of our decisions in life. So ya, it's about place."  When he realized that most of the songs had the same theme, the song titled "Staring at Maps" just seemed to fit as an album title (though that particular song won't be released until the "Pt. 2" portion of the album drops).

Singer-songwriters often have an eclectic list of influences, and Sean's list is no different.  Some of his lyrical influences range from Gregory Alan Isakov, Josh Ritter (it was at a Josh Ritter show when I first met Sean), and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy.   Sean says that traditional folk music like Cajun, Celtic, and blue grass has been an influence as well. "It's funny how no matter what part of the world you're living in, whether it be Ireland or Africa or even America, folk music seems to have same theme surrounded by instruments with strings and skins."

I asked Sean this question:  What kind of relationship do you have with your music?  Is Is your music closest to being: a) your child; b) your best friend; c) your drug; or d) your vacation.  His answer:  "Music is closest to being my child. I hope to be proud of it later one day when the songs are old. I could see all the bad and good happening in these songs but I have a strange understanding and care for them."

I attended a house concert that Sean hosted last year, and it gave me a chance to see him play his songs.  I didn't know what to expect, but I surely didn't expect the songs to move me the way they did.  If you love singer-songwriters, you'll love this singer-songwriter.

Here's Sean Bruce's "Let's Be Friends Again" from his "Daytime Hopes" CD:

Today's announcement, to me, is just a tease: now I can hardly wait for November 18, when "Staring at Maps, Pt. 1" arrives.  Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll advance a copy to me (hint, hint Sean!).

Sean Bruce's "Staring at Maps, Pt.1" Cd release party will be held at Feed-N-Seed on the corner of Jefferson and Grant, November 21.

(Youtube, Facebook, Amazon)