Colin Brooks

Colin Brooks' new album, Blood and Water, recieving rave reviews.

3rd Coast Music says the record has “raw power. This stripped to the bone album is so effective...a singer-songwriter to watch out for.”
41/2 stars (out of 5).

"Blood and Water is spare and ragged...full of skillfully told tales and wistful melodies." Austin Chronicle.

Colin Brooks is a self proclaimed “slinger-songwriter”, a lover of fine sippin’ tequila, and one of Kerrville’s New Folk Winners in 2003. Kerrville New Folk has been the launching ground for such songwriters as Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Slaid Cleaves. Also the recipient of the 2002 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Abe Olman Scholarship, Colin Brooks is “one of SESAC’s most promising new artists” according to Linda Lorence, VP of Artist Relations NY.

Just off a 3 month Australian tour he garnered this review at the Woodford Folk Festival. “Colin Brooks…was moodily magnificent…not since Jeff Lang has anyone made such an impression” The Barfly, Cairns

Brooks will release 2 new records this year. The first, called “Blood and Water” is a naked, acoustic smoke signal leading the way to “Water in the Sky”, a roots/rockin affair to be released this winter. The song “Water in the sky” is included on the KGSR compilation benefiting Juvenile diabetes in Austin Texas.

Brooks’ debut album, Chippin' Away At The Promised Land(2002), began in Taos, New Mexico, where his songwriting muse was resurrected by big painted skies and freedom to reinvent himself. Brooks moved to New York to finish the recording and was joined by musical luminaries such as drummer Jerry Marotta, bassist Sara Lee, as well as the legendary Tony Levin. “Colin has a voice like an opiate…and his songs stick to your brain like brambles,” writes Sharon Nichols of the Hudson Valley Chronogram

“Driven by Brooks’ ragged-but-right vocals and greasy dobro licks, the album delivers a refreshing 50/50 mix of blues-based Americana roots and good old- fashioned pop hooks,” writes Performing Songwriter.

Brooks’ approach to music is a combination of bluesy informality and sophisticated craftsmanship, a duality easily traced to his musical upbringing and development. On one side is the boy strumming his father’s Gibson guitar in the kitchen of their Michigan farm. On the other side is the serious songwriter/musician who has honed his craft with pupose.

With his slide guitar and character-driven lyrics, Colin blurs the line between acoustic pop and alt roots/rock. These songs are who he is: authentic, vulnerable and engaging.

Colin has embedded himself in the Austin,Texas scene in the last 3 years, playing guitar with Ruthie Foster, Toni Price, Will Sexton, Hal Ketchum, and many others.