Marc Broussard Keeps Fans Coming Back

by Linda Spielman

No stranger to the music scene, Broussard is set to drop his latest release via his new home, Atlantic Records on September 16th. Keep Coming Back harnesses all that truly encompasses a classic record. What makes this record different from Momentary Setback & Carencro is that Broussard along with his band and studio musicians have given the fans what they've wanted for so long; a record that truly brings Broussard's live show and all its energy into a neat little package everyone can have all the time. This isn't Broussard's first forte into simplifying music, 2007's S.O.S: Save Our Soul, showcased the singer and his band covering classics from Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Stevie Wonder and countless other music legends. It's now Broussard's turn to take that "old school" way of recording and apply it to his own lyrics, style of writing and performing. Keep Coming Back showcases Broussard's gift for channeling the multiple spirits of classic R&B and soul into contemporary terms.

Broussard and the band were determined to make Keep Coming Back their way, and Atlantic Records couldn't have been more accommodating. "When signing with any label there are always concerns about the people you will be working with and if they're going to be around for the long haul. "I do feel really good about the team we have working with us at Atlantic," Broussard notes. To also maintain a level of consistency and the caliber of quality work Broussard is known for, he also made it part of the contract itself insisting on using his own producers on all projects. As a whole, the dedication, effort, A&R team and everyone involved at Atlantic has made it a very comfortable, creatively open and a confident environment for Broussard to showcase his talent.

Recording is not so much going in with your touring band and a few session musicians to lay down tracks. For Broussard it's more like going in as a band of brothers to jam for an extended period of time. Not only are your producers, Calvin Turner and Justin Tocket respected for their craft, but they are also your friends. That type of trust in professional & personal relationships helps break down barriers that some artists have during the creative process. "It's easy when you and the artist have the same vision & goal. I trust Marc to deliver the songs. We can have differences of opinions along the way, but we always have the same goal. I trust Justin with the sound, just as I do Marc with the songs. I can produce and say whatever I want to say all day. But four years from now that cover is still going to say Marc Broussard. We're lucky that we trust each other enough to have our own opinions of this project, yet never lose sight of the main vision for it," Turner notes.

Creating a record in 11 days is somewhat unfathomable by industry standards. However, as Chad Gilmore (Broussard's drummer) elaborates, "The way we record and capture the sound, no exaggeration it doesn't take as much time as one might think. When you hear about those projects taking months to finish it's because they are sitting there piecing and analyzing every little aspect of every track." Broussard echoes Gilmore's take on the project noting contrary to what a lot of people we think, it is actually harder to go into the studio to create a record that is not conducive of a live show. "You go in and do what you do as musicians, and then the producers come in and start copying, pasting and chipping away at every little note. And truthfully it takes the humanity out of the project."

For this record it was straight out of the gate running for Broussard, the band and his producers. The majority of the 12 tracks the band had never played before recording the CD. Broussard first made demos of the tracks, and then brought them into the studio for the band to hear. At that point everyone wrote their chords & charts, copied their parts and the 11 day recording process began. Broussard and the band turned off all the computers and recorded strictly on analog tape. Thus, it gave the recordings the feel, texture, contrasts and movement of a live vibe. "Naturally there is something old school about our vibe, it's not forced in the process of the five of us, plus the two other musicians that played with us," Turner emphasizes. 

There was obvious confidence & ownership of this project for Broussard & the band to record in this fashion as he elaborates. "When you walked into the room you saw all the computers screens were black. It gave everyone that sense of awareness. There was no going back and overdubbing tracks. Everyone knew this is the way it was going to be throughout the recording. I really thought it was special that we were doing it this way." Turner and Gilmore both agreed that as musicians the way they recorded makes one mentally more cognizant of getting the entire take rather than the one note, and having the capacity as musician and artist to capture that moment in time while recording. 

The result of all the effort and thought is a cohesive project that captures the simplicity of music and lets its character shine through. Guest appearances by Sara Bareilles on "Why Should She Wait" and the reunion of Broussard and LeAnn Rimes on "When It's Good" add just a touch of femininity to really balance out the storylines of both tracks. It's truly hard to nail down Keep Coming Back's general vibe. Its heart pulse is pure soul, but there are glimmers of country, blues, streetwise rock, heartfelt love songs right there along with all the live enthusiasm you find at Broussard's shows. "Hard Knocks" is rough around the edges and street smart. "Keep Coming Back" makes you want to dance. The track that I have found I continually gravitate to is "Evil Things". It is truly one of the most honest songs I have heard in a very long time. Everyone can relate to storyline of mistakes made in their lives, and how the love of that one special person can erase all the bad and allows all the good of a person to resonate through. It transcends the evolution of love and maturity of human spirit. 

For the listener, Keep Coming Back has body & substance. It has a solid foundation minus the sterility present in most modern day records. It has taken the party vibe of Broussard's shows and translated them in a way to not only be a great listen, but also to set the standard for other artists to get back to the roots of recording. The music doesn't have to be perfect in every way, every note doesn't have to completely in tune. This is what Broussard and the band wanted to achieve with this project, the authenticity of playing live. As a whole the band feels quality of music doesn't necessarily reflect flawlessness of music. In order to be authentic, the music has to have the ability to fluctuate. "The industry started to buy into this notion that everything has to be perfect all of the time, and that's not the case at all. Some of our favorite music has screw ups all over it, and that's really endearing to the tracks. It's about the total body of work, not one or two songs. It always has to be about the songs," according to Broussard. Keep Coming Back exemplifies definite quality of musicianship on all levels. It's not glossy; it's not overproduced nor is it cookie cutter. It's what Marc Broussard and band does every night live….tell the truth.

Testing the waters so to speak, Broussard recently played a free outdoor show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Previewing such tracks as "Hard Knocks" and "Real Good Thing" for the audience & receiving a great response. Staples like "Rock Steady" and a rousing AC/DC "Back in Black" intro to "Home" got those who weren't already dancing by this point of the evening on their feet in front of the stage. The two hour set was a combo Broussard classic, snippets of Keep Coming Back, as well as some great covers of classics like "Lovely Day". For those just out to enjoy the summer night or die hard Marc Broussard fans, it was a perfect way to spend a wonderful summer August night under the stars.

I have been going to see Marc Broussard now for about five years. To this day I am still awe-struck by his talent, his presence and his honesty. It truly is somewhat hard to believe that all this talent and personality comes from a man in his mid 20's. He truly is an old soul in so many ways. I think that what makes him stand out above so many other artists out there in the industry today. I asked Marc, if your career ended today how would you want people to remember you? "I would want my legacy to be one of kindness and generosity and passion for not just what I do as a musician but also for the people around me…."

Marc Broussard Keeps Fans Coming Back
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