19 October 2006 -

EXCLUSIVE Interview: Cory Branan
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com

He’s been compared to Ryan Adams and Conor Oberst by Rolling Stone. His newest album has drawn rave reviews from Playboy and Blender. His influences range from Cole Porter to Mark Twain to Henry Miller to Strong Bad. And Lucero sang about him.

It’s easy to like a guy like that.

Coming from Southaven, MS (it’s outside of Memphis), Branan cut his teeth on Death Metal before finding is musical feet after listening to John Prine.

While he is an accomplished guitar player, Branan also received a nomination for Songwriter of the Year and won Newcomer of the Year by The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). All of which occurred before his first album, The Hell You Say, was released.

In March 2006, Branan released 12 songs, his first new album in four years. He will begin a North American tour on November 1 in Nashville with Thrift Store Cowboys. Notable shows include a November 5 show at the Earl in Atlanta and November 17 show at the Mint in Los Angeles.

For more information on Cory Branan, visit his Web site at www.corybranan.com or his MySpace.com page at www.myspace.com/corybranan.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Cory Branan.

What got you started writing and playing music?

CB: Playing: I heard (Guns and Roses) Appetite for Destruction in 1988. Writing: I heard John Prine in 1999. Those are the direct hits, there was also the gospel and country I grew up hearing in church and on my fathers side of the family.

What lead you down the singer-songwriter road?

CB: Is that what road this is? Shit, is there an off ramp?

After finding you sound and style, who have been the biggest influences on your career?

CB: Probably the hands-on craftsmen like Guy Clark, Leonard Cohen, Harlan Howard, etc.

It was four years between the releases of your albums - why the long delay?

CB: I'd take as long to answer, and I'd probably start crying like a box of puppies. 666 words - business.

Now that it has been out for four months, how's the response been to 12 songs ?

CB: Good so far. Playboy liked it and I think my dad secretly liked that Playboy liked it (which is cooler).

Are you working on a new album?

CB: Not recording yet - hopefully winter - but I've got the next two records written. Who knows, really? Next one is a kind of loser's chin-up song cycle tentively titled Midtown.

You've had the opportunity to perform with a who's who of musicians. Was there anyone that you were in awe of before meeting them?

CB: Yes, Freedy Johnston. Big influence. Nice guy.

In August, you opened for Frank Black and played with Steve Earle, Lucero and Todd Snider – all within one week. How excited were you to play with those guys? 

CB: Had a great time at those shows. I've met and really respect Todd, but I'm not really much of a “shake hands and try to hang out” kinda guy. More of a “gawk and run-off like a schoolgirl" kind of guy. 

What's you favorite part of performing live?

CB: Give and take banter. Heckling. Catching the golden rabbit. Uncertainty.

A lot people first found out about you from the Lucero song, "Tears Don't Matter Much". How did you meet the guys from Lucero?

CB: We all started playing around the same time in the same town. I'd be a huge fan anyways, it just worked out that I've had the pleasure of watching those fuckers half-kill themselves touring for you guys. 

Since you are on the road so much - what's your favorite part about going home?

CB: Different homes, different things: Memphis, friends; Mississippi, family; The Ozarks, my beautiful girlfriend and our quiet, run-down apartment. 

Cory Branan