Branden Sipes

Artist Information

Biography

Branden Sipes is a Colorado native singer-songwriter and guitarist hailing from the Rockies. A Colorado State University graduate, Branden earned degrees in both music and business, studying classical guitar, voice, and marketing. Since finishing school he has set his music career in motion with a busy schedule of performing, recording, and teaching guitar.

Appearing as a solo acoustic musician, Branden presents original songs combining rock, pop, and folk influences. An engaging solo performer, his lyrics are catchy and finely crafted, describing universal life experiences with a clever ease. His intricate guitar work is a well suited accompaniment to his intimate vocals.

His debut EP, Contemplation, gained deserved notice. Songs from the release have been featured on 93.3 KTCL and 88.9 KRFC along with several internet radio stations nationwide. Branden has been awarded 1st Alternate in the Telluride Troubadour Competition, Honorable Mention in the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and Honorable Mention in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

With his new album, That Side of Me, Branden Sipes is a true artist on the verge. The ten original songs cover the usual topics of life and love, but the writing also takes a deeper approach in looking for answers to the questions we all ask ourselves at some point.

During the recording process, Branden kept a clear focus on smooth vocals and intricate acoustic guitar while adding layers of electric guitars, bass, drums, and keys. Tasteful production on the album gives a big sound to the heartfelt songs he performs live each night as a solo artist.

Instrumentation

Branden Sipes - guitar and vocals

Discography

That Side of Me (2011)

-Everything's Right
-That Side of Me
-Winter's On Its Way
-Searching
-Standing As I Am
-Forever
-Take Me Over
-Open Your Eyes
-Let This Love Be True
-Still I Wait


Contemplation EP (2007)

-I Don't Know
-Going Home
-Wonder
-Driving Blind
-Hold On
-Rescue Me

Official Website

http://www.brandensipes.com

Links

• Facebook
• Pure Volume
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Reverb Nation
• Last.fm

Audio

• That Side of Me
  Listen  
• Everything's Right
  Listen  
• Winter's On Its Way
  Listen  
• Going Home
  Listen  
• Standing As I Am
  Listen  
• Take Me Over
  Listen  
• I Don't Know
  Listen  
• Wonder
  Listen  
• Driving Blind
  Listen  
• Rescue Me
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Everything's Right
• That Side Of Me
• Winter's On It's Way
• Going Home
• I Don't Know
• Rescue Me
• Take These Dreams
• Standing As I Am

Video

Branden Sipes - singer/songwriter/guitarist

Photo Gallery

Press

• Impeccably played and sung. [+ Show ]
  

  Artist: Branden Sipes Genre: Singer-Songwriter Home: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Colorado (CO) Auth...Artist: Branden Sipes
  
  Genre: Singer-Songwriter
  
  Home: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Colorado (CO)
  
  Author: Jamie Anderson
  
  Review: If you like Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and the current crop of acoustic guitar toting singer-songwriters, you definitely want to get something from Branden, 'cause he's as good, if not better. His solid rhythmic guitar is always at the center with warm expressive vocals singing some really great songs.
  
  "Winter's on Its Way" is driven with a light snare and a sparse arrangment that presents the song well. "Going Home" is about longing for home and has a great Jack Johnson-like guitar riff that drives it all. You know a song is incredibly well-written when you hear it with just a voice and acoustic guitar and it still slays you - that's all you get with "That Side of Me" and that's all you need. Impeccably played and sung. Great lyrics, too: "I could be a saint / I could be the best you'd ever find / If you could only see that side of me." Just give her this song, Branden.
  
  Keep an eye on this guy. Hopefully we'll all be hearing a lot more of him.
  

• High quality folk/rock that is driven with his unique voice and acoustic guitar [+ Show ]
  

  Branden Sipes Hailing from a state that is well known for its independent acoustic music, Colorado ...Branden Sipes
  Hailing from a state that is well known for its independent acoustic music, Colorado based artist Branden Sipes produces high quality folk/rock that is driven with his unique voice and acoustic guitar.
  www.brandensipes.com

• A truly remarkable composition [+ Show ]
  

  Album: That Side of Me Artist: Branden Sipes Date: 17 May 2011 Reviewed by: Kyle C.Stilley Mus...
  Album: That Side of Me
  Artist: Branden Sipes
  Date: 17 May 2011
  Reviewed by: Kyle C.Stilley
  Music Without Labels, Beat-Play, LLC
  http://www.musicwithoutlabels.com
  
  
  There is something about Branden Sipes’ music that is purely authentic and that genuineness cogently manifests in his latest released album, That Side of Me. The talented, Colorado troubadour engages his listeners with a refined, baroque guitar style, accompanied by his soft, affectionate vocals. Quite interestingly, That Side of Me takes us on an acoustic journey, encountering the usual suspects of love and life while challenging us to confront said topics in respect to our own life experiences.
  
  The journey begins brightly upbeat in the form of “Everything’s Right,” an inspiring track that sets the tone for the album while introducing to the audience Sipes’ delicate, yet intricate guitar work, which resonates throughout the album. The title track, “That Side of Me,” follows suit delivering catchy guitar riffs and honest melodies.
  
  The journey, then, takes a turn after the opening two numbers, presenting a dark moment in our quest. Similarly to classic literature, the protagonist must fall, or metaphorically die, before rebirth can occur. “Winter’s On its Way,” a soulful ballad, uses clever lyrics conjoined with beautiful musical composition to invoke feelings of desolation and regret; the feeling of fleeting love. However, within this moment of despair and emptiness, reflection emerges in the form of “Searching,” a selection revelatory of the artist’s acceptance of the growth process: “’Cause I am a searching for the reason, for the beating of my heart / and I am finding out the answer, is a long way from the start.”
  
  In “Standing as I am,” we experience a rebirth, a declaration of awareness, and, while incognizant of what future may hold, a fervent renewal of passion for life and love. This rebirth is evident in the lines “When the evening is over and the stars are shining through / I just want to be with you” and “Walk with me into this morning / There’s more of you I’m wanting…to see.” Sipes creatively uses these allusions to bring his audience to a place of enlightenment. “Take Me Over” is a beautiful song which speaks to the yearning for the kind of love that completes us. The bright, poppy guitar licks in the verses lull the listener into a false sense of security before the hook and chorus create a truly captivating moment.
  
  Branden delivers a truly remarkable composition which has thoroughly impressed our staff as well as our readers. That Side of Me plays like a classic novel, taking us the through dynamics of the protagonist’s plight, from trial and tribulation to rebirth and enlightenment. If That Side of Me is any indicator of what is to come from Branden in the future, we are all in for a treat. Keep an eye out for this talented troubadour.
  
  
  
  
  

Setlist

My Set list will vary depending on the performance. I can draw from the following repertoire of original and popular cover songs:

Vocal/Acoustic Guitar Repertoire List – Original Songs

Branden Sipes – Everything’s Right
Branden Sipes – That Side of Me
Branden Sipes – Winter’s On Its Way
Branden Sipes – Searching
Branden Sipes – Standing As I Am
Branden Sipes – Forever
Branden Sipes – Take Me Over
Branden Sipes – Open Your Eyes
Branden Sipes – Let This Love Be True
Branden Sipes – Still I Wait
Branden Sipes – I Don’t Know
Branden Sipes – Going Home
Branden Sipes – Wonder
Branden Sipes – Driving Blind
Branden Sipes – Hold On
Branden Sipes – Rescue Me
Branden Sipes – The Miles to You
Branden Sipes – Room For Two
Branden Sipes – You Say
Branden Sipes – Here Without You
Branden Sipes – Take These Dreams
Branden Sipes – I Will Be
Branden Sipes – Don’t Wake Me Up
Branden Sipes – Instrumental
Branden Sipes – Falling Apart
Branden Sipes – Lost Inspiration


Vocal/Acoustic Guitar Repertoire List - Cover Songs

Beatles – All You Need Is Love
Beatles – In My Life
Beatles – Across the Universe
Beatles – Blackbird
Beatles – Here Comes The Sun
Beatles – Hey Jude
Beatles – Yesterday
Bob Dylan – Blowin’ In the Wind
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
Coldplay – The Scientist
Coldplay – Fix You
The Cure – Just Like Heaven
Damien Rice – Cannonball
Damien Rice – The Blower’s Daughter
Dashboard Confessional – As Lovers Go
Death Cab For Cutie – I Will Follow You into the Dark
Del Amitri – Driving With the Breaks On
Eric Hutchinson – Rock And Roll
Eagles – Peaceful Easy Feeling
Eagles – Take It Easy
Eagles – Tequila Sunrise
The Fray – Over My Head
The Fray – Look after You
Howie Day - Collide
IZ – Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World
Jack Johnson – Angel
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Jack Johnson – Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
James Taylor – Shower The People
Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
Joe Purdy – Why Do I
John Mayer – Half of My Heart
John Mayer – My Stupid Mouth
John Mayer – Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
John Mayer – Why Georgia
Jonny Lang – Breaking Me
Keith Urban – Only You Can Love Me This Way
Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
Landon Pigg – Falling In Love at A Coffee Shop
Lifehouse – Somewhere In Between
Lifehouse – First Time
Madeleine Peyroux – Don’t Wait Too Long
Maroon 5 – I Won’t Go Home Without You
Maroon 5 – Sunday Morning
Matchbox 20 - Push
Matt Nathanson – Come On Get Higher
Matt Kearney – Closer To Love
Mat Kearney – Nothing Left To Lose
Matt Wertz – 5:19
Matt White – Love
Michael Bublé – Haven’t Met You Yet
Michael Bublé – Home
Norah Jones – Sunrise
Paolo Nutini – Last Request
Pearl Jam – Just Breathe
Plain White T’s – 1 2 3 4
Plain White T’s – Hey There Delilah
The Police – Every Breath You Take
Radiohead – High And Dry
Ray LaMontagne - Shelter
Ryan Adams – Two
Ryan Adams – When the Stars Go Blue
The Script – Breakeven
Snow Patrol – You’re All I Have
Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
Stephen Foster – Hard Times
Traditional – The Water Is Wide
Van Morrison – Crazy Love

Classical Guitar Repertoire List

Romance Anonymous
Kemp’s Jigge Anonymous
Prelude, cello suite no. 1 Bach
Partida, bm - sarabande, double Bach
El Testament De n’Amelia Llobet
A Ma Mie, Valse de Concert Obregon
Canon in D Pachelbel
Gymnopede No. 1 Satie
Melody Schumann
Andantino No. 26 Schumann
Adelita Tárrega
Lágrima Tárrega
Andante Largo Op. 5 Sor
Minuet in C Op. 22 Sor
Minuet in C Op. 25 Sor
Rondo Op. 22 Sor
Various etudes Sor
Various etudes Carcassi
Various etudes Giuliani

Basic Requirements

Calendar