CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After 15 years, Cleveland singer-songwriter Brian Straw is getting ready to release a new album. “Baby Stars/Dead Languages” is slated to arrive on Jan. 21.
But Straw has kept pretty busy in the past decade-and-a-half, recording and producing tunes for other musicians at Survival Kit recording studio, located inside 78th Street Studios. That experience lent itself well to making his next record.
“I’ve tried to make this record a few times, and it’s not like I wasn’t working at all in these past 15 years,” Straw said. “One of the things that I have learned from working with other artists is how to work efficiently and I gained a lot of technical experience. I’ve learned how to make a record and I finally did. I feel good about the material.”
“Baby Stars/Dead Languages” follows several other releases from Straw: 2000′s “Once You’re Lost You’re Encouraged to Stay Lost,” 2001′s “Backfeed Pools” and 2006′s “Bleeding Sun.”
Though the 2022 album will feature recent recordings, the 12-track project also includes songs that Straw’s fans will recognize from his live performances. The vulnerable release peels back layers on Straw’s sobriety and past relationships.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous about putting some of the raw emotion out there, naked, for everyone to analyze and pick over,” Straw said. “But, on the other hand, making the record was kind of a therapy for me. The songs, at least the newer songs recorded mostly during the pandemic, were cathartic.”
Though “Baby Stars/Dead Languages” won’t be out for another few weeks, Straw offers a new single on Friday, Dec. 3, with a sneak peek on cleveland.com today. “I Still Dream of You” is a catchy Americana track written by Cleveland singer-songwriter Joey Beltram, and performed and recorded by Straw, Straw said.
“I wanted to have a hit song. I know that sounds cheesy,” Straw said. “I heard Joey play the song and thought it was amazing. We’re pretty close friends so I asked him if I could record the song, because I needed a hit song, and he writes them all the time. He was happy to let me have one.”
Straw continues to work with local musicians and organizations through Survival Kit, and is currently preparing for a project with Roots of American Music, he said.
He’s also preparing for his album’s release and has a pair of release concerts set for Saturday, Jan. 22. Straw will perform at the Underdog, in the basement of the Happy Dog, with opening acts Kid Tigrrr and John Kalman. Tickets to the show cost $5 and are available on Happy Dog’s website.
Beyond that, Straw said he’s working to get a full band together to put on more shows in the spring. You can keep up with the musician at his Facebook page, facebook.com/bstrawmusic.
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