"Songs In The Key Of Freedom" is the beginning of a new chapter for musician Brian Ernst.
This new record, which is his 8th independent release, is being digitally released one single per month for the next 12 months. It is the most personal and vulnerable record of his 17 year career as it's an album that was written in response to the years he spent in Africa, as well as his time volunteering at the Moria Refugee Camp in Greece and working with Syrian families fleeing war in Izmir, Turkey. The record was also heavily inspired by Ernst's time at Standing Rock (2016).
"Songs In The Key Of Freedom" is a legacy album that highlights Ernst's unique style of soulful singing and songwriting while simultaneously bringing a refreshing new sound to help tell this delicate story. It's formidable-folk meets soulful roots reggae with elements of African dub, courtesy of Ben Badenhorst, who produced this album in South Africa.
Hailing from a small town in Ohio, Ernst grew up as a proud Lenape and he and his family (of the Turtle Clan) are Citizens of The Delaware Tribe of Indians, which is a Sovereign Indigenous Nation that governs in what is commonly known as the United States. Standing Rock was a catalyst for Ernst because that's when he embarked on an independent study of Federal Indian Law, Treaties and Indigenous history. This is part of getting back to his roots and the journey left a prudent impression on his art, activism, music and songwriting.
Ernst built his career as versatile live looping multi-instrumentalist with a passionate live performance that's as authentic as it is memorable. On stage he live loops acoustic guitars, bass, beatboxing, vocal harmonies, didgeridoo's, a chain and various other percussion instruments to create uplifting and thought provoking music that's captivated audiences around the world. He's toured across 50 states and 37 countries utilizing a grassroots approach that helped him sell over 20,000 albums out of a guitar case and amass over half a million views on YouTube. Brian has built a worldwide following and has shared stages with The Wailers, SOJA, Trevor Hall, MC YOGI, Shakey Graves, GoodLuck (SA), Desmond and the Tutu's (SA), Mi Casa (SA), Thomas Oliver (NZ), Sol Rising, Wookiefoot, Tubby Love, Amber Lily, Mike Perkins, Better Than Ezra and many others.
Beyond the stage, Brian and his wife Katie steward a 501c3 non-profit organization called Journey4YOUth. Invited to Rusinga Island in 2010, Brian and Katie continue to allocate resources towards education scholarships and clean water initiatives for the Luo Tribe. Journey4YOUth is a non-religious NGO that operates under the direction of local Elders and Leaders of Kaswanga Village.
Brian and Katie toured for ten years in full size buses that they converted to run on waste veggie oil and solar panels. They are currently based in Amelia Island, Florida.
The first single of the new record 'Songs in the Key of Freedom' drops on Fri. Sep. 6th.
This new record, which is his 8th independent release, is being digitally released one single per month for the next 12 months. It is the most personal and vulnerable record of his 17 year career as it's an album that was written in response to the years he spent in Africa, as well as his time volunteering at the Moria Refugee Camp in Greece and working with Syrian families fleeing war in Izmir, Turkey. The record was also heavily inspired by Ernst's time at Standing Rock (2016).
"Songs In The Key Of Freedom" is a legacy album that highlights Ernst's unique style of soulful singing and songwriting while simultaneously bringing a refreshing new sound to help tell this delicate story. It's formidable-folk meets soulful roots reggae with elements of African dub, courtesy of Ben Badenhorst, who produced this album in South Africa.
Hailing from a small town in Ohio, Ernst grew up as a proud Lenape and he and his family (of the Turtle Clan) are Citizens of The Delaware Tribe of Indians, which is a Sovereign Indigenous Nation that governs in what is commonly known as the United States. Standing Rock was a catalyst for Ernst because that's when he embarked on an independent study of Federal Indian Law, Treaties and Indigenous history. This is part of getting back to his roots and the journey left a prudent impression on his art, activism, music and songwriting.
Ernst built his career as versatile live looping multi-instrumentalist with a passionate live performance that's as authentic as it is memorable. On stage he live loops acoustic guitars, bass, beatboxing, vocal harmonies, didgeridoo's, a chain and various other percussion instruments to create uplifting and thought provoking music that's captivated audiences around the world. He's toured across 50 states and 37 countries utilizing a grassroots approach that helped him sell over 20,000 albums out of a guitar case and amass over half a million views on YouTube. Brian has built a worldwide following and has shared stages with The Wailers, SOJA, Trevor Hall, MC YOGI, Shakey Graves, GoodLuck (SA), Desmond and the Tutu's (SA), Mi Casa (SA), Thomas Oliver (NZ), Sol Rising, Wookiefoot, Tubby Love, Amber Lily, Mike Perkins, Better Than Ezra and many others.
Beyond the stage, Brian and his wife Katie steward a 501c3 non-profit organization called Journey4YOUth. Invited to Rusinga Island in 2010, Brian and Katie continue to allocate resources towards education scholarships and clean water initiatives for the Luo Tribe. Journey4YOUth is a non-religious NGO that operates under the direction of local Elders and Leaders of Kaswanga Village.
Brian and Katie toured for ten years in full size buses that they converted to run on waste veggie oil and solar panels. They are currently based in Amelia Island, Florida.
The first single of the new record 'Songs in the Key of Freedom' drops on Fri. Sep. 6th.