brian macmillan
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brian macmillan

Toronto, Ontario, Canada | AFM

Toronto, Ontario, Canada | AFM
Band Folk Pop

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Press


"Bill Bourne Opener"

"The opening act is an artist to watch. Brian MacMillan's set was far too short. His mournful jazzy love songs struck a chord with all the lonely people who will be spending Valentine's Day alone in front of the TV."
- sceneandheard.ca


"Winterfolk Festival Review"

"I was first struck by his singular vocal quality. He has an instantly recognizable voice, with an engaging plaintive tone. It is, to me, one of those voices with strong personality and built-in emotion, like James Taylor�s or Paul Simon�s. It is the kind of voice you feel you�ve already been hearing on the radio for years.."

Tony Quarrington,
Juno nominee - Tony Quarrington


"impressive opener.."

"With a definite psychedelic touch, MacMillan silently took us on a journey to somewhere by the ocean, brought us back to the club and did it all so subtly that it's only now that I realized what happened.."
- soul shine magazine


"Thanks Brian"

Awesome! What a great turn out for last night's show. Brian MacMillan was outstanding! This singer / songwriter extraordinary played to a packed room and based on crowd reaction, I'd say he earned a whole lot of new fans.

Being familiar with his CD “Let The Darkness Go", and having heard him play live before (Last Chance Saloon – 2007), we already knew he was a great singer / song writer and a terrific guitar player. What surprised us last night was just how effortlessly he weaved both new and old material into a warm, engaging and personal performance. Thanks Brian. - Knox United Church concert review


"The Chef"

I would love to be invited to a dinner party where Brian Macmillan is the host and chef. I imagine entering a warm, intimate setting, being greeted by subtle, beautiful aromas of savouries and sweets. Smiles abound, conversation is easy, time – as they say – is not a factor. And the food, well, lovingly prepared for days using just the right quantities and blends of rare organic ingredients. The pasta sauce is to die for.

Mellow is the morning,

When the autumn paints her mood;

And all the trees are blushing,

At the thought of being nude

It begins with the bass, always the bass. Playful, melodic, seemingly on the edge of dancing right off the recording and into a delightful world of its own. It's a vibe that appears born on the warm beaches of the Caribbean, yet serves perfectly as the foundation for the sweet, melodic folk music it is trusted to carry. It comes as no surprise to learn that Brian Macmillan has a background in jazz.

The chef adds his ingredients, always the right amounts at the right times, resisting that extra shake. Patience. Patience. Let The Darkness Go features only nine songs filled with catchy licks, easy lyrics, crisp, clean production and instrumentation that is sometimes surprising, but always on the mark. Hints of Steely Dan, touches of Mark Knoffler, dollops of Brian Wilson and James Taylor filter in and out of the recording.

Where will you turn,

When the bridges you burn

Are the same ones you need to get home

Brian Macmillan carries a calm, warm and seasoned soul in his lanky bones. Lyrics are optimistic, but not naïve; he preaches patience, that there will be Another Day, and appears to be at peace with the circle of life.


Here comes dessert; usually, I skip dessert, but with Brian Macmillan and Let The Darkness Go, I don't feel stuffed. Yes, please, another slice."

Andy Frank, Producer & Host Take 5; It's Alive - Andy Frank


"Top 3 in music.."

The folksy vocal inflections and gentle acoustic mellowness practically cry out James Taylor redux. But as this Toronto tunesmith’s Another Day and Let The Darkness Go will you into a more Zen-like comfort state than, say, Taylor’s Fire And Rain or Mexico ever could, along comes Brown Shoes, Show Me, and Signs which, heavier on keyboard flourishes and bouncy bass, inject a little Bruce Cockburn-meets-Paul Simon reggae/dub into his wholesome sunniness.
An easygoing, optimistic debut — despite the obvious influence. (MacMillan’s CD release party will take place Wednesday at Hugh’s Room.)

ian nathanson/metro toronto

- Toronto Metro News


"Let The Darkness Go"

Those turned off by the unbearable whiteness of being prevalent in so much straightforward singer/songwriter folk fare will be pleasantly surprised by the gentle jolt of funk that local tunesmith Brian MacMillan injects into his very Zen songs.
Although Let The Darkness Go includes a healthy sampling of sweet, acoustic-strummed ballads, most of MacMillan's philosophical musings are driven by pulsating percussion, warm, syncopated bass lines and just-off-the-beat rhythms borrowed from reggae and dub.

Don't be alarmed – this isn't culturally appropriative Ja-fakin' ickiness. Rather, MacMillan's incorporation of non-Western influences adds layers, lending interest and complexity to his rudimentary folk-pop ditties.

MacMillan launches his CD Wednesday (January 31) at Hugh's Room.
Sarah Liss/ NOW Magazine - NOW Magazine


Discography

"Gone To See The Morning"- 2000 - debut release..
"Let The Darkness Go"- 2007
"Shine" - to be released spring 2009

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Bio

'Brian Macmillan carries a calm, warm and seasoned soul in his lanky bones. Lyrics are optimistic, but not naive; he preaches patience, that there will be Another Day, and appears to be at peace with the circle of life.'
Andy Frank, producer, Take 5 CIUT 89.5 fm

'..keyboard flourishes and bouncy bass, inject a little Bruce Cockburn-meets-Paul Simon reggae/dub into his wholesome sunniness. An easygoing, optimistic debut.'
Ian Nathanson, Metro News

Brian's uplifting and multi-layered original songs
are a dynamic blend of Pop and Folk music, strongly
rooted in rhythm.

Equally at ease and captivating as a solo performer
or with his trio, Brian has enchanted audiences all
over North America.

Brian released his critically acclaimed debut
entitled, "Let The Darkness Go", in 2006. Brian has since toured the album across Canada twice, gathering a solid fan-base along the way. He continues to be heavily supported by the CBC and
national college radio stations.

Brian is currently finishing his 2nd album, "Shine",
to be released in the spring of 2009. Brian is
honoured to have this new recording graciously
funded by EcoPartner.

The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals recognized
Brian's songwriting in 2005 by awarding him the Colleen Peterson Award. He is also a 2 x Ontario Arts Council grant recipient.

Brian enjoyed a wonderfully busy 2008 performing
at such festivals as Mariposa, Shelter Valley, Blue
Skies, Eaglewood and Home County as well as Knox Acoustic Cafe, Just Milton Folks and the Aylmer Town Hall Music Series.

Brian has performed on all three previous Barenaked Ladies Ships and Dips cruises, sharing the
stage with greats like Barenaked Ladies, Sarah Harmer, The New Odds and Great Big Sea.

Outside of his busy solo career Brian is also in demand as a sideman, appearing on albums by Garth Hudson (The Band), Barenaked Ladies, Kevin Hearn,
Wailin' Jennys, Lori Cullen, Jory Nash, Mr. Something Something, Nine Mile, Layah Jane and Eden Hertzog.

"Let The Darkness Go" can be purchased at
www.cdbaby.com/cd/macmillan