Decker Winter Tour Kick-Off Show with the Jake Payne Band and Keith Kavisic at Studio Live on Dec 4, 2009

In mid December, Decker will embark on a seven week tour from San Diego to Seattle as a two-piece consisting of songwriter Brandon Decker (lead vocals, guitars, and harmonica) and Nanci McDonald (cello and vocals) in winter of '09 and '10 in support of the CD release of "Long Days," Decker’s debut album.  This evening Decker will not only be joined by cellist McDonald but also Jason Vargo on vocals and guitar as well as Sam Cavanaugh on percussion, trumpet, and vocals.

"Long Days" is a musical narrative of redemption structured around an autobiographical framework rife with poignant lyrics and rich musical layers. The tracks are mainly acoustic-driven but there are synthesizers and many layered harmonies to bring a greater depth to the music.

With a degree in Philosophy, Decker often incorporates existential exploration into his songs. The 11 songs delve into his romantic and personal relationships and coming to terms with his sometimes checkered past. Influences from Tom Waits to Portishead, from Neil Young to PJ Harvey can be heard on the album and in live performance. The music is gritty, soulful, acoustic rock. It has been dubbed "grunge folk."

Decker's echo-laden harmonies are the staple of the sound along with the naked honesty in grappling with each song's subject matter. Sincerity drives Decker's lyrics; they are an exploration of existential crisis and coping with the way things are and the way things could be. While gritty and sometimes on the darker side, the music is still hook-laden and accessible.

“My songs are my catharsis of everything I’ve been through, coupled with my empathy experienced from the different profound relationships I’ve had.” Decker said. “In every song, I’m taking a moment and trying to work through it honestly.”

Shortly after completing the recording of Long Days, Decker met Nanci McDonald and an instant musical bond was formed. In live performance, the duo offers a unique melancholy sound as the acoustic guitar and cello play off one another. Much like the lyrics, sincerity drives their live performance.

Decker will also welcome Jake Payne and Keith Kavisic to share this special night with him.  Payne will be performing with his newly formed band which includes Kyle Beloin on bass guitar, Ryan Schaut on rhythm guitar and Brandon Menard on drums.  Payne stated, “I am honored to be a part of this tour kick off show with Decker.  I not only admire Brandon’s music and songwriting but also his ability to produce his own album and then book his own tour in support of it.  It is musicians like him that give me faith that I can create my own career in music as well.” 

Payne is hoping to join Decker in early January and share a few of his tour dates along the California coast.  “Going on tour is a great experience for a musician.  It is so inspiring to roll in to a brand new city, every day, not knowing where you are going to sleep or where your next meal is going to come from.  It is an awesome adventure and I really hope to share this with Brandon and Nanci for a week or two,” Payne stated.

Keith Kavisic will round out the night’s entertainment.  Kavisic is a Renaissance Gypsy of the Modern Era recently jumping back into music from the business world for the past five years focused on community and cultural development and sustainable infrastructure.  His amazing music strikes the heart chords for all, with subject matter touching on the realms of belief systems, change and cultural revolution.  His bardic storytelling and captivating vocals draw you in to the heartfelt soul of gratitude and appreciation for all life and experiences as lessons on the journey.  Keith has drawn his influences from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Fela Kuti, Dead Can Dance, Michael Franti and the Marley Family, to name only a few.  His simple progressions matched with his ability to capture the heart will be accompanied by Gabriel Browne on Bass Guitar and Andre Fearonce on percussion.  For further information and booking please contact Keith at sacred808@aol.com.