Style Profile: Brett Dennen
Loverboy Brett Dennen is what romantic dreams are made of. With a quirky & natural style, he just exudes a magnetic aura. He calls University of California at Santa Cruz (home of the banana slugs) his alma mater — and has since grown as a musician, poet, dreamer, and that guy with the ability to make you get groovy.
Name/Age/Hometown: Brett Dennen//31//Oakdale, CA
University/Major: University of California at Santa Cruz//Community Studies/Social Change
Did you dabble in music at all in college? Was it difficult juggling everything during your college years? I played in a band in college. We were a bluegrass jam band and I played mandolin and guitar. I didn’t take music too seriously, so I didn’t have a problem juggling it with my studies. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be a musician yet. I really wanted to work in the community at a non profit.
How did you get your start in music? I played in a few bands for a while. Eventually I started writing songs that didn’t fit in with the band’s repertoire so I started dreaming of myself being a folk singer. At the time I was working at a non profit organization and I was also writing and recording a musical curriculum for the program. The more music I played, the more I realized that it was what I wanted to do. So I started gigging and traveling around California playing restaurants and bars.
How would you define your music? In a genre/style? Kung Fu and Western.
Who are your musical influences? Van Morrison, Paul Simon, The Grateful Dead, the Beegees, and Graham Nash
What influences your music? Friends, family, relationships, stories, books, current events, art, film, Judge Judy, Maury Povich and nature. Life.
Your latest album, Loverboy, was literally just released. How exciting – how is this album different from your last three? Its more upbeat. More of a dance party. More of a poolside grind album.
Which is your favorite song off of your latest album, Loverboy, and why? Track 14. It’s subtle.
Who has been your favorite artist to work with and why? Brad Conrad. He’s a brilliant engineer. Straight genius.
What does the future hold for you? Guacamole, raw vegan zucchini Alfredo and the Golden Girls
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians? Practice for 10,000 hours. You’re set after that. Hire Hon Solo.
How would you describe your personal style? I don’t wear underwear, but I do wear track jackets. Early Bruce Willis meets Joe Montana circa ’88.
What shoe best describes you? Gold and silver McEnroe Nike clay court shoes.
If you could have a meal with anyone – a musician, politician, anyone – who would it be and why? William and Kate. Feel like I have a lot to learn from them. I plan on being royalty someday.
Check out Brett Dennen on…
GET SCHOOLED.
Photos courtesy of Ben Moon and Reid Rolls.
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