Artist description solo music from the bassist/guitarist of Lactose Quervo!

Music Style alternative, rock, pop, folk, alt country, dramatic rock

Musical Influences The Beatles, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Elliott Smith, Alex Chilton(Big Star), Neil Young

Similar Artists David Bowie, Elliott Smith, Alex Chilton, Todd Rundgren

Artist History i have been writing & recording my own songs for the last eight years..because i have to...i have no choice...it's in my blood!

Group Members Brian Oaksford

Instruments electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keys & drums

Albums Stopping Short, Wounded Me + 2 CD single

Press Reviews Brian Oaksford: Singer, Songwriter, Dreamer posted November 29, 2000 Born and bred in a small town in New York, Brian Oaksford was very unhappy with the way things were going and was in need of a change. He weighed his options and immediately decided to leave town. Brian caught a ride to Raleigh in 1985 from a friend who had just moved in the area and the rest is history. Brian says that his mother told him that his first words were "yeah yeah yeah". He imagines that he picked that up from hearing "She Loves You" or from watching the Beatles cartoons as a child. Brian comes from a musical family. He says, "My sisters always played piano at home when I was young, and my brother was in a band called the Realms of Possibility in the late sixties. I used to sit on the side of the stage when they played and grooved to the music." Brian began to play guitar when he was 16 years old. He was always drawn to guitars and musical instruments in general. He even played the flute and trombone in elementary school although he never took playing musical instruments seriously until more recently. Brian remembers writing his first song at 16 and some lyrics a few years after that. He says laughing, "But no keepers! I've been writing songs, music and lyrics, on a regular basis now for about 6 years . I was pretty much just playing by myself and sharing demonstration tapes with some close friends". And sharing he does. Brian to recorded some local bands in surrounding venues (Cat's Cradle, The Brewery, Local 506...) "I loved that. That is when I started Oaky Dok Records, it started out as sort of a bootleg label, now I release my stuff on it. I kind of consider it a cartoon Indy label (laughing). My father used to call what I was doing charity work because I spent money and didn't make any! I always would give the bands a copy of the show and I never tried to sell the tapes or anything". Oaksford says, "Music has always been kind of an escape for me. It offered me sanctuary when I needed it most. We have a very spiritual relationship." His main influences are Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, David Bowie, Alex Chilton and Elliott Smith. He says, "I have to mention Neil Young as well. I have a lot of worn out Neil albums in my collection. He's a great song writer. There are so many other artists, too numerous to mention, who have shaped certain nuances of my performances as well. I might be the only one to notice that though (laughing)". That's just like Brian to be so modest about his music. He says that he used to have terrible stage fright when he started going to open mics a couple years ago. I never noticed. The first time I saw Brian perform was at an open mic at a local Raleigh bar about 2 years ago. I was very impressed with his song writing ability, but mostly with the passion in his voice that made me want to listen. So what is Brian doing today? "Mostly I have been playing at as many open mics as I can so that my songs can be heard and also to improve my playing and singing", say Oaksford. "A friend of mine tells me I'm doing the open mic tour! I guess that is sort of fitting." Early this year, Brian Oaksford released his first full length CD called "Stopping Short," a collection of recordings from 1995 to the present. He is now writing new songs for the next release. "I was thinking of doing an EP, but if I continue writing songs that I like, I may do another full length. I really enjoy trying out the new songs at the open mics to see what kind of reaction the songs get." Brian says that he gets a lot more intimate with singing a song in shorter time frame when he plays the songs at open mics in front of a crowd. "Another thing that I really like about going to the open mics is that everyone is so supportive. Especially if you are performing original songs. It makes all the difference having a support group". Brian would like to make a living making records or write a hit for someone else who's already "in the belly of the beast!" as he puts it. "That has always been a dream of mine. My main goal is to continue to write songs, improve as a performer, and keep the momentum flowing which would include starting to do my own shows and not just open mics." The way he's going these days, I don't doubt that Brian will be doing his own shows in no time. He's also working on his web site where his songs can be downloaded and to also include his artwork and poetry. You can buy Brian Oaksford's CDs at Crooked Beat on Glenwood Ave, Schoolkids Records in Cary and Raleigh, and The Record Exchange on Hillsborough St. You can also purchase his music at modernrock.com by clicking on artists and mp3's, or email Brian at voxx@intrex.net. This story contributed by Victoria

Additional Info email me for CD info: voxx@intrex.net other website:www.mp3.com search:moneek and brodaddy

Location Raleigh, NC - USA

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