Started back in 2010, the Brass-A-Holics have gained fame around the world for their blend of New Orleans brass and Washington D.C.’s go-go funk. By adding a full drum kit, percussion, keyboard, bass, and electric guitar to the core elements of New Orleans brass bands (trumpet, trombone, and saxophone), the group stumbled upon unexplored sonic territory and became a true musical pioneer. While the Brass-A-Holics are known for their captivating and geographically diverse sound, the group truly shines during their energized live performances, offering electric, one-of-a-kind shows that truly epitomize the term “crowd pleaser” with the band’s high-octane originals, fiery covers, and tight improvisations.
Almost exactly four years ago, the Brass-A-Holics dropped their debut album, I Am A Brass-A-Holic. Showing how far they’ve come in such a short period of time, at the end of the month on October 28th, the band is dropping a new album, Word On The Street, marking their first full-length since their debut album back in 2013. Because Word On The Street seeks to capture the energy the Brass-A-Holics bring to the stage, the album is being released both as standalone audio as well as a music video album and will feature both staples of their live shows and several unreleased tracks.
As saxophonist and vocalist Robin Clabby noted about Word On The Street, “This album is kind of a bridge for us. It’s a chance to leak a little of our new material ahead of our next studio album, and also a chance to revisit some songs that have really evolved in the couple years since we initially recorded them. We had always talked about trying to find a way to re-release them in a way that really reflects the growth of the band and the energy of arrangements that have been honed by a couple years of touring. When the idea of pairing them with live video came up we saw the perfect chance”.
Today, Live For Live Music is proud to premiere the first single off the Brass-A-Holics’ sophomore release, Word On The Street, with the debut of the first single from the album, “A Good Night.” The song is a perfect example of how the band has evolved since 2013’s I Am A Brass-A-Holic, as “A Good Night” also appeared on their first album, eventually becoming a staple of the band’s live set. The new video and single also serves as a perfect introduction to those unfamiliar with the internationally renowned brass band, as it showcases the Brass-A-Holics’ live show at its finest, perfectly capturing the playful, fun energy and tight improvisations the band’s become known for.
As trumpeter and vocalist Tannon Williams explained about the group’s unparalleled live performances, “The live show is untouchable. We have fans from around the world who will come up to us after a show here at home (New Orleans) and tell us about how they still remember us from a few years back in Ohio or Brazil or New York or whatever. Mostly they’re talking about the fun and the energy and interaction both within the band and with the crowd. Audio alone can’t give you that experience. A really good concert video though will get you about as close as you can get without actually being at the show.”
You can enjoy the premiere of the first single off the Brass-A-Holics’ upcoming video album, Word On The Street, “A Good Night”, below. To see the band in action, you can catch them during their Thursday residency at Jazz Playhouse in the French Quarter or check out their website here for upcoming tour dates.