Con Brio (band)

Con Brio is an American soul and rock and roll band formed in San Francisco, California in 2013. The band currently consists of lead singer Ziek McCarter, guitarist Benjamin Andrews, bassist Jonathan Kirchner, keyboardist Patrick Monaco Glynn, drummer Andrew Laubacher, and horn players Marcus Stephens and Brendan Liu.[1]

Con Brio
Con Brio performing at Montreal Jazz Festival in 2016
Background information
OriginSan Francisco, California, United States
Genres
Years active2013 (2013)–present
Members
  • Ziek McCarter
  • Jonathan Kirchner
  • Andrew Laubacher
  • Benjamin Andrews
  • Patrick Monaco Glynn
  • Marcus Stephens
  • Brendan Liu
Past membersMicah Dubreuil

Named after the musical direction that means "with spirit", Con Brio is known for their high-energy funk, R&B sound.[2] They recorded and released an EP in 2015 called Kiss the Sun and their first full-length album, Paradise, in 2016.

History

Formation and early years (2013-14)

McCarter grew up in Houston with dreams of becoming a performer, inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye. He moved to San Francisco after high school and got into the local music scene, where he met Andrews, Kirchner, Laubacher, Stephens, Liu, and keyboardist Micah Dubreuil.[2] In 2013, Con Brio was formed, with McCarter saying the band's name "indicates to play that section of that song like you mean it. It became a philosophy. Do it like you mean it or don’t do it at all."[2]

Kiss the Sun EP (2015)

Con Brio released their first EP, Kiss the Sun, on February 3, 2015.[3] They toured the West Coast playing their six-song set, and eventually toured the rest of the U.S. and Europe.[4] Their most notable showing yet was at the 2015 Austin City Limits Music Festival where they earned rave reviews from music bloggers. Consequence of Sound said McCarter had "a unique blend of cheery funk and soulful R&B, saved from the whimsical confines of nostalgia by a jaw dropping, awe-inspiring physical performance that would give Nigel Lythgoe a hernia."[5] PopMatters declared the group "the best new live band in America" upon seeing the set.[6] As a Houston native, McCarter recognized the importance of Austin City Limits for a band like Con Brio, stating, "To be here, and to be on stage, is just unbelievable. Today was my first backflip. I told myself I had to save it for Austin."[6]

Paradise (2016–present)

After completing their tour of the U.S. and Europe, the band replaced Dubreuil with Patrick Monaco Glynn and began work on their first full-length album, titled Paradise.[1][2] The 12-track album, produced by Mario Caldato Jr., features McCarter and company addressing life in modern society, including the struggles of inequality ("Hard Times"), capitalism ("Money"), and the Black Lives Matter movement ("Free & Brave").[4][7] "Free & Brave" includes references to Martin Luther King Jr. and Trayvon Martin.[2] The band toured throughout the country and the world, stopping at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.[1]

Band members

Full members
  • Ziek McCarter – vocals
  • Benjamin Andrews – guitar
  • Jonathan Kirchner – bass
  • Andrew Laubacher – drums
  • Patrick Monaco Glynn – keyboard
  • Marcus Stephens – saxophone, woodwinds
  • Brendan Liu – trumpet

Discography

Extended plays
  • Kiss the Sun (2015)

Albums
  • Paradise (2016)
  • Explorer (2018)

References
  1. Oakes, Wendy. "Ziek McCarter of Con Brio on 'Paradise'". AXS.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  2. Greenberg, Rudi. "Con Brio frontman Ziek McCarter wants to feed your soul with funk". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  3. "Album Premiere: Con Brio Kiss The Sun". Relix.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  4. "About". TheBandConBrio.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  5. Roffman, Michael. "Austin City Limits 2015 Festival Review: From Worst to Best". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. Mannon, Mike. "The Best New Live Band in America?". PopMatters. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  7. Kahn, Andy. "Con Brio Announces Debut Album 'Paradise'". Jambase.com. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
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