Bryen Willems

"Willems is a Louisiana native who’s made Australia home, his interest in music ignited since his arrival. Although this is such authentic hardcore honky tonk, you’d have thought he brought it with him! On his second album he’s got himself a great band, and a wonderful collection of original and covers songs; Mel Tillis’ Honky Tonk Song (with guitar wiz Redd Volkaert) and Steve Earle’s Nowhere Road amongst them, they sit comfortably with his own. This is real country performed with the humour of Junior Brown, attitude of Dale Watson and twang reminiscent of Merle Haggard."
- Denise Hylands, 3RRR Melbourne "Twang"STACK - JB HIFI (Feb 01, 2012) - JB HIFI

Review - Rhythms Magazine - Jan 2012 - No Band Here Till Friday - LEAP Records

'Hello Beer' could just be the best song-title ever! And the lyrics aren't far behind: "Hello Beer, how was your day, mine was OK, can you take me away."

Bryen Willems is a rare artist in that he can walk the fine line between humour and reverence. He doesn't take himself too seriously (hence his sobriquet, "The Swamp Duck"), and yet he is an extremely talented musician and writer, in that sense, he reminds me of Willie Nelson. You can always sense the wry smile about to break the weathered facade.

Anyhoo, Willems, who has become a permanent fixture of the Australian country underground since relocating here from Louisiana, has produced another cracking record with No Band Here Till Friday. First up, it sounds fantastic. Willems does a great line in country outlaw vocals - at his best you can close your eyes and you could be listening to Waylon Jennings or Merle Haggard. And the instrumental performances are consistently world class, Hamish Davidson's fiddle, Jake Lardot's electric guitar, and Tomi Graso's pedal steel shining particularly brightly.

Willems also excels in writing the kind of tough guy jocular one minute, heartbroken the next material that the original country outlaws thrived on. Songs like 'She Let Herself Go' and 'Two For One Cocktails' (both co-written with Allan Caswell) are perfect examples.

Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to write a lot of them. There are only a few originals among these 12 selections, but the non-original material is well-selected and claimed with authority, particularly Steve Earle's 'Nowhere Road', Dennis Adkins''Ace In The Hole', Gary Gentry/Johnny Paycheck's 'Drinkin and Drivin' and Hank Williams''You Win Again'. There are very few people making country music this good in this country.

Martin Jones
Rhythms Magazine - Australia's Roots Music Monthly
January 2012
www.rhythms.com.au - Rhythms Magazine

Bryen Willems - Review
10/05/2007 3:18:56 PM
Review by Ronnie and Rossco (R & V Photographers)



One great thing about reviewing CD's is that you get the chance to listen to a wide variety of styles.

On odd occasions you discover a musician that is really passionate about his music.

Louisiana born Bryen Willems is one of those musicians.

Bryen has the Bayou country music / Honky Tonk / Cajun music styles all rolled into one tight package in his debut album Too Cold At Home.

The first track, Lonesome has the feel of travelling on a bus as the countryside passes you by, tapping fingers to the beat of the music.
The second track, 11 Months 29 Days has a similar feel-good laid back style.
Track 3, Too Cold for Home has a real country drawl to it, a pleasant relaxed feel to the whole song.
Track 4, Deep Down I'm Shallow has an early Creedance Clearwater vibe. Great structure and beat.
Track 5, As Long as I Live, a duet with Nicki Gillis is one of those country love songs with fiddle solos and a smooth guitar melody to keep the listener tuned to the last note.



Track 6, Highway Junkie. What's a country based album without a trucker's song? This is the one! Trucks, wheels,whitelines and long hauls, great song!
Track 7, Honky Tonk Song, is a tongue in cheek song that makes a mockery of the cheesy sort of country music love songs. Byren's charming grassroots American drawl really give this tune that extra 'punch'.
Track 8, Another Day, is a racy tune with backing vocals, a snappy feel to the whole track. Made us think of a farm machinery commercial.
Track 9, Beer & Lipstick is another song that has a great blend of instruments that intertwine in and out of great lyrics
Track 10, Baby are You Running. More of the fiddle playing and racy guitar .Impressive.
Track 11, Just a Close Walk With Thee is a church style hymn that embraces the appeal of country music and rolls it into one.This tune seems to reflect Byren's earlier aspirations in America to become a minister of the church. You can feel a "preacher to congregation" performance.
In Summary
Bryen Willems has delivered the goods with this debut album. In addition the album has some superb images on the cover and booklet, and an easy to read lyrics sheet.Basically the whole package is out to impress, and yes we were more than impressed.

If you're after a country music CD that has first class music both lyrically and musically then this is an album to grab.

8 out of 10 from us.

- www.Hotsource.com.au

PRESS RELEASE
BRYEN WILLEMS JOINS THE PLANET COMPANY

Bryen Willems (a.k.a the Swamp Duck) is proud to announce he will be only the third Australian artist to be distributed by The Planet Company.
The Planet Company’s Graeme Regan is extremely excited and feels Bryen is a welcome addition to The Planet’s family. Known for their diverse and eclectic catalogue, as soon as they heard Bryen’s debut album Too Cold At Home, they immediately knew they had to add him to their distribution arm.
Bryen’s album is under the Leap Records banner, and The Planet Company look forward to working alongside this small but determined label.
Bryen’s musical interest was sparked only after settling down in Australia, having moved from his Louisiana home with wife Karen. An Australian citizen for a number of years now, his musical influences are of bayou heritage with an Australian flavour.
Too Cold At Home, produced by Gary Brown and Les Scott, is a brilliant collection of self-penned tunes and a treasure trove of country covers – featuring the first single Honky-Tonk Song and the new single Deep Down I’m Shallow.
Evidence of Bryen’s potential has been his recent Top 20 finalist nomination in the UniSong International Songwriting Competition, with co-writer Tim Costello, with his current single Deep Down I’m Shallow.
So if you’d rather have some nancy-boy, sissy, pseudo-country pop stuff, then you’ll need to look elsewhere – as there’s none of that from Bryen Willems.
Having travelled the planet from USA to Australia, it seems like The Planet Company is the perfect home for Bryen’s music.
Too Cold At Home will be available through The Planet Company early August.

Photo (l-r) – Bryen Willems, Nicki Gillis (Leap Records), Graeme Regan (The Planet Company) and Bianca Jang (The Planet Company)

www.bryenwillems.com
www.myspace.com/bryenwillemsmusic
www.theplanetcompany.com

Further information contact:
Publicity - RUM Entertainment ph/fax 02 4285 1461 (m) 0439 730460 rum@rumentertainment.com
Distribution - The Planet Company ph 02 9283 8250 fax 02 9283 8307

- Bryen Willems Signs To Planet Company

PRESS RELEASE
BRYEN WILLEMS JOINS THE PLANET COMPANY

Bryen Willems (a.k.a the Swamp Duck) is proud to announce he will be only the third Australian artist to be distributed by The Planet Company.
The Planet Company’s Graeme Regan is extremely excited and feels Bryen is a welcome addition to The Planet’s family. Known for their diverse and eclectic catalogue, as soon as they heard Bryen’s debut album Too Cold At Home, they immediately knew they had to add him to their distribution arm.
Bryen’s album is under the Leap Records banner, and The Planet Company look forward to working alongside this small but determined label.
Bryen’s musical interest was sparked only after settling down in Australia, having moved from his Louisiana home with wife Karen. An Australian citizen for a number of years now, his musical influences are of bayou heritage with an Australian flavour.
Too Cold At Home, produced by Gary Brown and Les Scott, is a brilliant collection of self-penned tunes and a treasure trove of country covers – featuring the first single Honky-Tonk Song and the new single Deep Down I’m Shallow.
Evidence of Bryen’s potential has been his recent Top 20 finalist nomination in the UniSong International Songwriting Competition, with co-writer Tim Costello, with his current single Deep Down I’m Shallow.
So if you’d rather have some nancy-boy, sissy, pseudo-country pop stuff, then you’ll need to look elsewhere – as there’s none of that from Bryen Willems.
Having travelled the planet from USA to Australia, it seems like The Planet Company is the perfect home for Bryen’s music.
Too Cold At Home will be available through The Planet Company early August.

Photo (l-r) – Bryen Willems, Nicki Gillis (Leap Records), Graeme Regan (The Planet Company) and Bianca Jang (The Planet Company)

www.bryenwillems.com
www.myspace.com/bryenwillemsmusic
www.theplanetcompany.com

Further information contact:
Publicity - RUM Entertainment ph/fax 02 4285 1461 (m) 0439 730460 rum@rumentertainment.com
Distribution - The Planet Company ph 02 9283 8250 fax 02 9283 8307

- Bryen Willems Signs To Planet Company

Cee Dee Ree View --- Burt Everett -- 1/2/2007


Just before Christmas a CD from Bryen Willems found it’s way onto my stereo The name was completely unknown to me, but from track one the strong American tones made me sit up, and listen. American by birth, and Australian by choice, Bryen left his Louisiana home and headed down under and became an Australian citizen a few yeas ago. Apart from his solo career, Bryen also plays bass for well known Australian Country Rock band, “Tall Timbre”, and has had considerable experience as a presenter on Sydney Community Radio.

I found his debut album, “Too Cold At Home”, a delight. Here is a toe tapping, “Swamp”, or “Bayou” sound, with an Aussie influence. Bryen also illustrates his song writing ability by providing two completele “home grown” songs, and co-writing three more.

If song titles like “Beer and Lipstick”, “Baby Are You Running?”, and “Honky Tonk Song”, lead you to thinking that this is a happy energy packed package, then you’ve got it in one, and the lovely duet with fast rising Nikki Gillis, “As Long As I Live”, puts the strawberry on top on the cake

It was recorded at Unit4 Studios, and produced by Gary Brown, and Les Scott. If you have any difficulty getting this one from the shops, a visit to www.bryenwillems.com should solve the problem. - Bundaberg Guardian and www.countrycapers.com

Cee Dee Ree View --- Burt Everett -- 1/2/2007


Just before Christmas a CD from Bryen Willems found it’s way onto my stereo The name was completely unknown to me, but from track one the strong American tones made me sit up, and listen. American by birth, and Australian by choice, Bryen left his Louisiana home and headed down under and became an Australian citizen a few yeas ago. Apart from his solo career, Bryen also plays bass for well known Australian Country Rock band, “Tall Timbre”, and has had considerable experience as a presenter on Sydney Community Radio.

I found his debut album, “Too Cold At Home”, a delight. Here is a toe tapping, “Swamp”, or “Bayou” sound, with an Aussie influence. Bryen also illustrates his song writing ability by providing two completele “home grown” songs, and co-writing three more.

If song titles like “Beer and Lipstick”, “Baby Are You Running?”, and “Honky Tonk Song”, lead you to thinking that this is a happy energy packed package, then you’ve got it in one, and the lovely duet with fast rising Nikki Gillis, “As Long As I Live”, puts the strawberry on top on the cake

It was recorded at Unit4 Studios, and produced by Gary Brown, and Les Scott. If you have any difficulty getting this one from the shops, a visit to www.bryenwillems.com should solve the problem. - Bundaberg Guardian and www.countrycapers.com

TOO COLD AT HOME - BRYEN WILLEMS (Independent)

Bryen Willems is a Louisiana-born Aussie who brought a piece of the bayou with him when he settled in Australia. Affectionately known as ‘the Swamp Duck’, Bryen writes and plays laidback music with the definite aroma of the bayou; in fact you almost want to slap at the mossies. His brand new CD Too Cold At Home is a fine collection of both originals and great, if not that well known, Cajun country tracks. His duet with the sweet-voiced NICKI GILLIS. As Long As I Live was written by the legend ROY ACUFF. Of his own songs, Deep Down I’m Shallow is a song that could definitely become a cult classic. Honky-Tonk Song pokes fun at ‘bubble-gum pop’ dressed up as country music. Bryen Willems plays music that is rugged, unpretentious, honest and it’s real; to quote his bio, ‘If you want some nancy-boy, sissy, pseudo-country pop stuff, look elsewhere!’ - Country Music Capital News

TOO COLD AT HOME - BRYEN WILLEMS (Independent)

Bryen Willems is a Louisiana-born Aussie who brought a piece of the bayou with him when he settled in Australia. Affectionately known as ‘the Swamp Duck’, Bryen writes and plays laidback music with the definite aroma of the bayou; in fact you almost want to slap at the mossies. His brand new CD Too Cold At Home is a fine collection of both originals and great, if not that well known, Cajun country tracks. His duet with the sweet-voiced NICKI GILLIS. As Long As I Live was written by the legend ROY ACUFF. Of his own songs, Deep Down I’m Shallow is a song that could definitely become a cult classic. Honky-Tonk Song pokes fun at ‘bubble-gum pop’ dressed up as country music. Bryen Willems plays music that is rugged, unpretentious, honest and it’s real; to quote his bio, ‘If you want some nancy-boy, sissy, pseudo-country pop stuff, look elsewhere!’ - Country Music Capital News

Bryen Willems
Too Cold At Home
Leap/Planet
*****
In a country music scene where authenticity is gauged by how strine your vowels can get, Bryen Willems is the real deal. He is transplanted to Australia from Louisiana, which only goes part of the way to explaining the immediate charm, impact and realness of Too Cold At Home. The real kicker is Willems’ voice – a shivering, righteous baritone so crunchy it makes Dale Watson sound like Charlie Louvin. The arrangements and production, courtesy of the late, great Les Scott and Gary Brown, sizzle like a juke joint barbeque. Bryen Willems is my new country music hero, just as he should be yours.

Jason Walker
MusicAustraliaGuide
October 2007
http://www.musicaustraliaguide.com/mag.php?page=80
- Jason Walker

Review In Rhythms Magazine August Issue
BRYEN WILLEMS

Too Cold At Home

Leap Records/Planet



Folks, we have our very own Tony joe White living and breathing amongst us. His name is Bryen Willems. From Louisiana, Willems brings genuine Southern swamp sounds and mixes ‘em up with some honky-tonk, a Nashville outlaw element, and adds some Australian flavour for good measure.



Too Cold At Home is Willems’ debut album and portrays him as both a gifted interpreter and an emerging songwriter. But the first thing you’ll notice about Willlems is that voice – Tony joe meets Waylon in Willems’ sonorous drawl, lending these 11 songs incontrovertible authority.



Okay, lets look at Willems’ selection of covers first. Any album that opens with a Steve Young track will inevitably get my attention and Too Cold At Home kicks off with an explosive rendition of ‘Lonesome, On’ry & Mean’ a version, Willems attests, that has been officially approved by the author himself. This is immediately followed by a cool and swaggering interpretation of Johnny Paycheck’s ’11 Months and 29 Days’ and by now you have a fair idea of where Willems’ influences lie. There’s also a sweetly swinging take on Roy Acuff’s ‘As Long As I Live’, a duet that contrasts Willems’ deep tones with the bird-like voice of Nicki Gillis.



As far as the originals go, it’s rewarded to hear Willems injecting his own personality into his compositions rather than merely aping his heroes. ‘Deep Down I’m Shallow’ demonstrates that Willems has a firm grasp of the Australian sense of humour, ‘Honky-Tonk Song’ tackles the age old generation gap issue, ‘Beer and Lipstick is classic barroom ballad, and ‘Baby Are You Runnin’’ introduces an irresistible Western Swing attitude, complete with some feisty fiddle courtesy of Mark Oats. In fact, Willems’ band is pretty much faultless throughout, suggesting Bryen and the Bayou Boogie Boys would be a live band worth chasing down.



MARTIN JONES

RHYTHMS MAGAZINE

AUG 2007
- Martin Jones

Review In Rhythms Magazine August Issue
BRYEN WILLEMS

Too Cold At Home

Leap Records/Planet



Folks, we have our very own Tony joe White living and breathing amongst us. His name is Bryen Willems. From Louisiana, Willems brings genuine Southern swamp sounds and mixes ‘em up with some honky-tonk, a Nashville outlaw element, and adds some Australian flavour for good measure.



Too Cold At Home is Willems’ debut album and portrays him as both a gifted interpreter and an emerging songwriter. But the first thing you’ll notice about Willlems is that voice – Tony joe meets Waylon in Willems’ sonorous drawl, lending these 11 songs incontrovertible authority.



Okay, lets look at Willems’ selection of covers first. Any album that opens with a Steve Young track will inevitably get my attention and Too Cold At Home kicks off with an explosive rendition of ‘Lonesome, On’ry & Mean’ a version, Willems attests, that has been officially approved by the author himself. This is immediately followed by a cool and swaggering interpretation of Johnny Paycheck’s ’11 Months and 29 Days’ and by now you have a fair idea of where Willems’ influences lie. There’s also a sweetly swinging take on Roy Acuff’s ‘As Long As I Live’, a duet that contrasts Willems’ deep tones with the bird-like voice of Nicki Gillis.



As far as the originals go, it’s rewarded to hear Willems injecting his own personality into his compositions rather than merely aping his heroes. ‘Deep Down I’m Shallow’ demonstrates that Willems has a firm grasp of the Australian sense of humour, ‘Honky-Tonk Song’ tackles the age old generation gap issue, ‘Beer and Lipstick is classic barroom ballad, and ‘Baby Are You Runnin’’ introduces an irresistible Western Swing attitude, complete with some feisty fiddle courtesy of Mark Oats. In fact, Willems’ band is pretty much faultless throughout, suggesting Bryen and the Bayou Boogie Boys would be a live band worth chasing down.



MARTIN JONES

RHYTHMS MAGAZINE

AUG 2007
- Martin Jones