Stephen Montoya
Local singer/songwriter Dustin Brown is excited to share his new upcoming self-titled album.
Dustin Brown is an artist whose music echoes the deep layers of lived experience, wrapped in an authenticity that few can rival. His forthcoming self-titled album, out March 28th, marks an intriguing chapter in his story. With songs that speak to universal themes of struggle, growth, and reflection, Brown offers a window into his soul, inviting listeners to engage with his personal journey — one that feels seasoned far beyond his years.
"Honestly, it feels really good to have a complete project and an album," Brown shares, his voice tinged with the humility of someone who's seen the tough side of chasing dreams. "You can sit there and try to hit the singles, but it’s still just super random what takes off. So it feels good to have an album with a cohesive sound, something that speaks for itself."
Born and raised in the small town of Moody, Texas, Brown's musical journey began early. "I started writing when I was probably 12 or 13," he reflects. "I mostly wrote songs and then learned to play guitar. My dad’s not musical, but my three sisters sang, and my grandfather was this champion fiddle player. It was just always in the air."
This musical legacy, coupled with his innate drive, ignited his passion for songwriting, a craft that became his way of processing the world around him.
Despite his early love for music, life’s detours led him away from his creative path. After high school, he played in biker bars, dabbled in various jobs, and even became a commercial diver. But music never truly left him.
"I did leave music for a while, but it never left me," he admits.
After traveling across South America and the Philippines, Brown returned to Texas, where he embraced his role as a songwriter full-time. The 2018 revival of his musical career marked a fresh chapter, one that would see him collaborate with fellow musician Ben Hussey and begin work on what would become his third full-length album.
This album is something special, a blend of vulnerability, reflection, and raw emotion. As Brown explains, the creative process was almost accidental. "We went in for the EP just to get these songs out of us," he recalls. "And then it just grew. We got these four songs together, and they were so good that we just kept going." What started as a small project blossomed into a full album — ten tracks that weave together themes of loss, growth, and the journey of finding oneself.
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Stephen Montoya
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Stephen Montoya
Among the standout tracks is "Burn," which, according to Brown, represents a pivotal moment of self-realization. "It’s that come-to-Jesus talk between a person and their inner parent," he says. "It's that detoxification of childish behavior, that cold-turkey leap into maturity." The song, which also serves as the centerpiece of the album, taps into the universal process of shedding old habits and embracing personal growth.
As for the sound, Brown's voice has undergone a transformation, too. "If you listen to my older stuff, you might be kind of confused," he admits with a laugh. "It doesn’t even sound like the same person. I was doing a character voice, and once I figured it out, I couldn’t unhear it. I just worked on finding my real voice." That newfound vocal authenticity, combined with the rawness of his lyrics, results in an album that feels not just like a collection of songs, but like an emotional release—a soul laid bare for the world to hear.
Brown's musical journey is also deeply intertwined with the Americana genre, a genre he feels aligns perfectly with his music. "Americana goes everywhere," he says. "It’s what I listen to now, and it just feels like the right fit. But it still lets me keep that Texas feel that I grew up with." The blend of traditional influences and contemporary sensibilities creates a unique sound, one that captures the timeless nature of Brown's songwriting while remaining fresh and current.
The album, co-produced by Brown and Hussey, also benefits from the contributions of a talented band, including Christopher Smith on drums, Joel Allan and Tyler Ralston on lead guitar, James Bartosh on bass, and Rachel Cole on backing vocals. Each member of the band plays a crucial role in bringing Brown's vision to life, adding depth and texture to the music.
In the end, this self-titled album is more than just a collection of songs — it's the culmination of a long, winding journey that started with a boy alone in the Texas woods and led him to a place where his music finally speaks with the confidence of someone who knows exactly who they are. As Brown reflects, "Music’s not about solving the world’s problems; it’s about sharing what you’ve learned, even if it’s just through dust-covered narrations."
