The Breton Sound
| The Breton Sound | |
|---|---|
 The Breton Sound, 2018 (photo: Zack Smith) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Website |
www |
| Members |
Jonathan Pretus Stephen Turner John Bourgeois Joe Bourgeois |
| Past members |
Brian Pretus Wes Kennison Jason Navo |
The Breton Sound is a rock band based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Founded in 2011, the Breton Sound began as a collaboration of longtime friends Jonathan Pretus and Stephen Turner. Together they produced the EP, Eudaemonia, which combined their varied musical influences and was produced by Tom Drummond (musician) of Better than Ezra. Within the year, Pretus's brother Brian (Pears) was brought in for bass and backing vocals. 2013 brought their new EP, Maps, and a new drummer, John Bourgeois (Fatter Than Albert, Dead Legends), followed by his brother, bassist Joe Bourgeois (MyNameIsJohnMichael).
In 2015, the band released the EP Don't Be Afraid of Rock and Roll, Vol. 1, with Tom Drummond remaining at the helm as producer. The EP was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Southern Ground Studios in Atlanta, and The Music Shed in New Orleans. The project was designed to take the band to various historical studios around the South in an effort to capture the vibe and history of the rooms.
In October 2015 the band won the Louisiana Music Prize.
The Breton Sound EP, released in July of 2018, was recorded in New Orleans at 1920’s church-turned-recording facility, Esplanade Studios (Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Mary J. Blige, The Roots) by the well-known and highly-regarded Producer and Mixer, Jeff Glixman (Black Sabbath, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Kansas). Prior to recording, the band and Glixman were approached by PreSonus Audio Electronics and offered the chance to test-drive their new studio recording software, StudioOne4. Working with the Baton Rouge-based company seemed a natural fit (Pretus and Turner met while students at Louisiana State University). PreSonus was looking to put their Studio One platform in direct competition with the likes of industry-standard ProTools, and The Breton Sound was looking to make a record that put them on the same playing field as the rock acts that populate today's radio dials and streaming playlists. This EP is brimming with sounds showing that both were successful.
Explosive rock anthem Why Are You Still Here kicks off the 4-song EP. Focusing in on lingering exes, the lead single is a classic break up song. Romances come and go, but some relationships are just inescapable. As Pretus describes it, "there’s always some kind of trigger reminding you of that person; a song, a movie, a place…some kind of memory. ‘Why Are You Still Here?’ is about the frustration you’re met with when desperately trying to shake off that ghost."
Powerful fan-favorite Illuminate follows WAYSH and puts The Breton Sound’s larger-than-life, arena-ready sound on display. Gritty, windows down/volume up rockers Save Your Prayers and Better Off Alone round out the 4 song EP.
More songs from the Esplanade/Glixman sessions were recorded and will likely be released in late 2018/early 2019.
The Breton Sound have their sights set on proving that rock is alive and well. Swagger, energy, volume, connection, passion, sweat, and noise. That’s what The Breton Sound is all about. They’ll leave the skinny jeans and handclaps to someone else.
Discography
- Eudaemonia (2011)
- Maps (2013)
- Don't Be Afraid of Rock and Roll, Vol. 1 (2015)
- The Breton Sound (2018)
References
http://www.louisianatravel.com/la-musicians/breton-sound
http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2015/01/channeling_weezer_comes_easy_t.html
http://fqfi.org/frenchquarter/artists/detail/707/The-Breton-Sound
http://www.offbeat.com/articles/the-breton-sound-sounding-it-out/
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/entertainment/arts/2015/10/21/breton-sound-looking-dominate/74334898/
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/entertainment/2015/10/02/winner-louisiana-music-prize/73147974/