Brasstronaut

Brasstronaut is not the same jazz that your grandparents listen to. Formed in 2005, the band from Vancouver is a mix of jazz, rock, and pop and uses typical jazz instruments, like trumpet and double bass, to add flair to their otherwise contemporary pop-rock sound.

What began as a duo with Bryan Davies on trumpet and Edo Van Breeman on piano and vocals quickly turned into a quartet with the addition of Brennan Saul on drums and John Walsh on double bass. Now with the release of their debut EP, Old World Lies, on Unfamiliar Records, the band is taking a whirlwind two-month tour across North America.

Brasstronaut’s sound is a mix of acoustic pop-rock (a la Ben Folds) and brassy instrumentals (drawing comparisons to Beirut). Their keyboard-heavy power ballad, “Requiem for a Scene,” is already dishearteningly beautiful with Breeman’s raspy vocals, but the ornamental trumpet runs definitely add a touch of excitement and sensual flavor to the song. Another single, “Old World Lies,” is also a testament to Brasstronaut’s ability to elevate simple but great songwriting with the added touch of a wailing trumpet solo.

Brasstronaut will be zig-zagging their way between Canada and the U.S., as they head west to a final show in their hometown. For a complete list of tour dates, check out the band’s MySpace page .