The Story Behind Brandi Carlile

After the initial success of her self titled album Brandi Carlile set out touring with several bands, including the Fray and Shawn Colvin for a few years. United recently with her brothers Tim (guitar) and Phil (bass) Hanseroth, Carlile has had much success with the heartfelt lyrics and timeless sound that she and her twin brothers accompanied by Matt Chamberlain (drummer) have managed to produce. Unlike her first album which developed over the course of a full year's worth of distractions, Carlile set "The Story" down and made it come true during the course of an eleven day intensive session, produced by T-Bone Burnett.

The Story is an attempt to develop a timeless sound which will reverberate through the minds of listeners both today and twenty years from now. "I love Elton John because his albums captured moments in time. My favorite records have the timeless feeling you get when a band locks itself in the studio for two weeks and comes out with a record." Says Carlile. Seeking to retain originality was an easy task for this band from Seattle during their 11 day siege of the record studio. Emerging was the sound of "The Story" which has climbed charts to an impressive number 12 spot on the VH1 top twenty countdown.

Carlile's lyrics are just the beginning of her talent however, the singer songwriter started when she was only 23 and has now developed into an artist whom many are beginning to acknowledge as substantially original. The difficult task of climbing through the muck and mire has not deterred Carlile or her message. "The Story" is very much just that, a story, and one which finds personal solace with Carlile herself. In the act of producing such a personal album carlile has taken two risks, one was that she would expose herself, and two that she would not be accepted once she had put herself out there. Fortunately Carlile has the talent and vocal ability to tell her story with a great deal of clout behind it. Forcing those around to sit down and take notice as she belts out her new tracks.

In 2000 Carlile recorded several singles which she personally sold at shows. It was a long five years later that Carlile was picked up by Columbia records, later that year she released her first album and was billed as a rolling stone choice of "artists to watch". Since then she has joined teams with legendary producer T-Bone Burnett who also worked with the Counting Crows and several other well known artists. Recently wrapping up a tour Carlile is settling down for a bit and fully enjoying the success of "The Story" especially the widespread success of its title track.