Tulsa World: Local Music: Flying solo

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Local Music: Flying solo

By JASON COLLINGTON World Staff Writer
Published: 5/25/2001
Last Modified: 12/20/2008 1:27 AM

Nathan Brant, right, made his first full-length album. "At the Depot," on a zero budget. T.J. McCloud and his band, Stephen Speaks, found their name on those signs that churches use to remind parents of Vacation Bible School.

Nathan Brant's debut CD is all Brant, all the time

Nathan Brant first picked up drumsticks when he was 7. But then he got sick of not being able to create a melody, a song, a career.

So he started on piano. Then went to guitar. Then he grabbed the neck of a bass and didn't let go until he dropped it to learn the accordion.

Brant's album, "At the Depot," is a lot of firsts for him. It's the first full-length album for the 20-year-old. It's his first made on a zero budget and the first time he's been credited with doing "vocals, background vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, organ, accordion, programming, tambourine, claps and other miscellaneous noises."

Brant did it all on the album. What he didn't do, family and friends did.

But let's talk about the music, Brant said during an early morning interview. His trip from banging a ride cymbal when the New Kids on the Block were on the radio to taking the stage Saturday night has been interesting. Brant began the journey when his father took one of his own. A business trip, to be exact.

"Right before he left, he bought some new sequencing software and left the computer on," Brant said of his musically inclined father, Mike. "When he got back, I had recorded a five-song LP.

"It was just instrumental, but he dug it."

Soon after, the longtime poet became a songwriter. In his CD, Brant wraps all kinds of music around his lyrics. There's piano, computer sounds -- well, everything.

He's folksy.

He's heavy on guitar.

He's whipping out his voice over the sounds of electronica.

But there is a difference between Brant and others who try to diversify their albums. Brant has a talent for each job he undertakes, and he knows how to prove it.

"But really, it's rock 'n' roll. I play it as it comes to me," explained Brant of the 11 tracks on his CD. "I see it sort of like an adventure."

For his live shows, Brant has plucked a motley crew from the local scene.

His decision to concentrate on music was difficult for Brant. Although his father has been a musician for a long time, he also has two college degrees. So does Brant's mother. Brant's sister is a smart one as well.

"I'm the one taking the road less traveled," said Brant, who didn't survive in school long. "But I've been on long roads before." Bread of Life launches concert series Nathan Brant is one of three local acts for Saturday's show at Tulsa City Limits, which is now home to the Bread of Life Church.

Stephen Speaks, Admiral Twin and Instant Loser will kick off what is hoped to be the beginning of regular shows at the venue.

Members of Stephen Speaks found their name on those signs that churches use to remind parents of Vacation Bible School.

For a long time T.J. McCloud and his band were called Doubting Thomas. Thomas is McCloud's first name, and he had a tendency to doubt.

"He's the first martyr of the Christian church," McCloud said of Stephen, who can be found in the Book of Acts. "We are like him in a way, standing up for what we believe in."

In the background for Stephen Speaks is the acoustic pop the band produces. In the forefront are messages of joy that McCloud and his bandmates have found in the Christian life.

"We live in a society that accepts everything," he said. "We believe in an absolute truth, and we stand up for that."

Nathan Brant, Stephen Speaks, Admiral Twin and Instant Loser

When: Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tulsa City Limits, 2117 S. Garnett Road.
Tickets: $5 at the door
For more on Nathan Brant and Stephen Speaks, add www. to the beginning of their names and .com at the end.

By JASON COLLINGTON World Staff Writer

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