Brittany Jean

Newcomer Brittany Jean has been performing solo before she received her big break last year opening for the group, Hanson. She did not have any of her material recorded, until now. "Paris Stairs" is her first EP including the songs she's perfected live on stage over the years.

The album's title song "Paris Stairs" shows off Brittany's hard rock edge. Her strong dominating vocals gets your heart pumping as the trio of musicians brings the assault on the senses. She shows us her radio-friendly pop side with "On The Balcony" and "White Sheets." The album's closing song "No One Runs" allows her and her band to expand their sound while her voice guides them through.

For more information on this latest star on the music scene, please visit her myspace page (www.myspace.com/brittanyjean). - JP's Music Blog

She plays acoustic and sings with a drummer and a guy who switches between electric guitar and bass. The drummer is a powerhouse, some might say too much at times, but not me. Between that and the electric guitar and bass, this is far from a nice little folk set. The vocals are good and do not lapse into being overly cute or precocious. The strength is evident and also does not go too far in that direction. The first song is excellent with great driving spirit. The rest of the set is solid with some songs having a little more bite to them. This is a nice set of music that can fit on many bills that cater to rock, folk, or Americana. - DC Rock Live (Show Review)

Brittany Jean is from Springfield, Virginia and although has been performing for some time, she can be considered a newcomer on the local scene. That is in part due to working with Will Copps on drums and Brian Young on guitar and bass. The band has recorded a four song ep due for release this January and the four songs are well worth a listen. Brittany Jean's vocals have a medium strength to them which I rather prefer than that of a Joplinesque belter of the blues. She has pop sensibilities, but covers Americana and classic rock styles comfortably. The music is a catchy indie rock/Americana/folk hybrid of some sorts and makes for comfortable listening. The band has the energy to push the melodies forward, so it is actually comfortable, but purposeful listening. This is a good start, although the recording at the famed Inner Ear studio is a little murky at times, but that is probably a bit by choice along with the fact that this is the band's first recording. When they do the full length release, they will hopefully have some clever production and arrangement ideas to give some variance and clarity to the sound. But for now, good songs and good energy will keep me happy.

The song to try first: "Paris Stairs" has an infectious melody with energized vocals that have me backtracking to play this several times in a row. - DC Rock Live (EP Review)

“Speak low and listen closely,” Brittany Jean sings on the first track of the Paris Stairs EP. I would advise that you just listening closely because this EP is pretty fantastic.

The EP consists of four songs—“Paris Stairs,” “On the Balcony,” “White Sheets,” and “No One Runs.” They all have extremely rocking beats; I’ve had “Paris Stairs” stuck in my head for a few days now, which would just drive me to listen to the EP again. With Jean’s strong vocals, all the songs seem to capture a longing that many of us are all too familiar with; we may stop longing for what it is we wanted, but you never forget that feeling of yearning. My favorite of the set, “White Sheets,” perfectly captures this sentiment.

This is the kind of music that I enjoy listening to: powerful instrumentals and fantastic vocals that combine with evocative lyrics to not only bring about great music, but to make you puzzle over lyrics and to conjure up images. The best kind of music needs a bit of deciphering, and I must admit I’m still working through some of the songs (“Paris Stairs,” especially, with its religious imagery juxtaposed with a rebellious zeal). As I mentioned above, there is a wistfulness, but it never overwhelms the other components of the music; everything falls into a nice symmetry that allows you to thoroughly enjoy the EP as a whole. Although the EP consists of four songs, they’re four songs you can listen to over and over again.

It’s also a joy to discover local artists; as someone who’s not much for Top 40 and explores books much more than music, knowing that such talent resides in D.C. is both thrilling and reassuring. It’s been a long time since I genuinely liked anything new; I won’t tell you what I last downloaded, but I will tell you it’s 24 years old.

The EP will be released on January 4, 2011. In the meantime, check out a preview of the EP at http://www.sonicbids.com/brittanyjean. Songs for the New Year, I say.
- Sonnet87

“Speak low and listen closely,” Brittany Jean sings on the first track of the Paris Stairs EP. I would advise that you just listening closely because this EP is pretty fantastic.

The EP consists of four songs—“Paris Stairs,” “On the Balcony,” “White Sheets,” and “No One Runs.” They all have extremely rocking beats; I’ve had “Paris Stairs” stuck in my head for a few days now, which would just drive me to listen to the EP again. With Jean’s strong vocals, all the songs seem to capture a longing that many of us are all too familiar with; we may stop longing for what it is we wanted, but you never forget that feeling of yearning. My favorite of the set, “White Sheets,” perfectly captures this sentiment.

This is the kind of music that I enjoy listening to: powerful instrumentals and fantastic vocals that combine with evocative lyrics to not only bring about great music, but to make you puzzle over lyrics and to conjure up images. The best kind of music needs a bit of deciphering, and I must admit I’m still working through some of the songs (“Paris Stairs,” especially, with its religious imagery juxtaposed with a rebellious zeal). As I mentioned above, there is a wistfulness, but it never overwhelms the other components of the music; everything falls into a nice symmetry that allows you to thoroughly enjoy the EP as a whole. Although the EP consists of four songs, they’re four songs you can listen to over and over again.

It’s also a joy to discover local artists; as someone who’s not much for Top 40 and explores books much more than music, knowing that such talent resides in D.C. is both thrilling and reassuring. It’s been a long time since I genuinely liked anything new; I won’t tell you what I last downloaded, but I will tell you it’s 24 years old.

The EP will be released on January 4, 2011. In the meantime, check out a preview of the EP at http://www.sonicbids.com/brittanyjean. Songs for the New Year, I say.
- Sonnet87

For their current tour, Hanson teamed up with OurStage.com to let fans vote on the opening bands in each city. In addition to getting to share the stage with the multi-platinum band, winners get to participate in a nightly, live-streamed interview with Hanson. The winner for the Richmond show was Brittany Jean.

"It really is a great example of our spirit and investment of being independent," said Taylor Hanson.

"We think it's the coolest thing ever being a part of shaping what might be the next great artist that is just coming into their own. We get to be a part of the story."

- Fredericksburg Freelance Star