Photo: Mariah Brink
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Brian Just is a singer-songwriter and the leader of a Minneapolis 5-piece folk and psych-influenced pop group. Creating a sunny and elaborate sound, artfully incorporating '60s pop reminiscent of Nilsson and Donovan. Just's daydreamy, lazy-afternoon orchestrations are highlighted by his signature harmonies.
Brian teaches Guitar and Songwriting virtually and in person at THE MUSIC LAB. He is interested in working with students on their personal goals in songwriting, performing and developing the basics of guitar theory. SIGN UP TODAY! |
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Reviews
"Twin Cities’ craftiest purveyors of ’60s-flavored paisley pop" Chris Riemenschneider: Star Tribune "He has a good Beatlesy sense in the way he plays" Comedian Andy Kindler "...the refreshing slice of pop rock magic belonged to Brian Just. His new single is "Staring Into The Sun". To leap out of the Current's playlist confounding me to ask, "Is this new? A Kinks outtake? Who is this?" I love it. That doesn't happen as often as I would like, so when it does, I pay attention and want to hear the rest of the tunes on their new record like yesterday." Mary Lucia: 89.3 The Current "The Brian Just Band played to every corner of the room, cycling through chamber folk-pop songs a la Belle and Sebastian and more heady, psych-influenced '60s pop. With players specifically dedicated to instruments like the flute, trumpet, and tambourine, it fleshed out the band's sound and added pretty counter-melodies and nuances -- when the entire seven-piece group chimed in with bursts of vocal harmonies, it was positively divine." Andrea Swensson: 89.3 The Current Local Show “A sunny and elaborate affair, artfully incorporating 60’s Folk sounds reminiscent of the Kinks Village Green Preservation Society. By turns low-key and boot-stompin', their versatile blend of acoustic folk and bluegrass highlights their signature harmonies.” David Campbell: 89.3 The Current "Just has a keen ear for crafting melody and what really brings Changing Traffic Lights together is the infectious nature of each tune." Jon Behm: Reviler “A perfect summer soundtrack, The Minneapolis sextets 1960s-esque If You Like To Be Alone Or If You Need To Be With Someone. Their single "Electric," a melodic stomper from the new record, has been in heavy rotation on The Current, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a sunnier driving tune.” Tom Pilcher: City Pages “Brian Just seems comfortable with his particular set of musical skills. At no point on his new disc "Open Air" does he try to be anything he isn't. Nothing is forced, nothing is overdone, and everything sounds like it happened organically. The result is a cohesive project that makes for a pleasant listen. There is a hushed quality to Just's vocal delivery that simply draws you in and says "we're home, work is done, relax and put your feet up." He melds words together in a smoothly phrased style…” John Ziegler : The Duluth News Tribune "With a soulful and believable voice, Brian Just has some ace songs up his sleeve with traces of Nick Drake's reflection and introspection, but minus the dark shadows and impending doom" Ian Fields: Americana-Uk.com "Imagine yourself in 1938, at the corner of 26th St. and 27th Ave. in South Minneapolis. A light is snow falling outside. Inside, a tall thin man dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt grabs an over sized dreadnought guitar, leans towards the crowd and moans, in a comfortable voice, stories of life…” www.howwastheshow.com - Bob Longmore |
