David Bowie Tribute Band Boston

Armed with just an acoustic guitar and his emotive voice, Brien Sweet offers up four different sounding styles on his 4-song sampler. Sounding like Thomas Dolby on an acoustic guitar on the album's opening track "Fight," Sweet brings techno to the acoustic world with this number. On "Keep Your Voice Down," Sweet delivers a lo-tempo roller that evokes mood and attitude. "Entropy" boasts of single notes that build to a chord strummed crescendo and then reverts back to single notes. An ethereal aura dots the landscape of this song. "Aversion" is the most uplifting tune of the four and finds Sweet spending some energy and groove. - by Douglas Sloan

Every Tuesday night at 8 PM in Riley Commons a small tightly knit group of easy going acoustic music fans converge to listen to artists from all over the country. This past week Zo Tobi and Brien Sweet both played.

Brien started the night off with a few pieces that were about growing up and the complicated struggles we have at this weird stage in our lives, music fit for a Zach Braff movie. His guitar sounds are like a new acoustic version of an early Beatles’ song. His voice is something new and has a bit of New England accent that makes it individual. His song Entropy was quite a hit as well. He ended his set by giving everyone free four song CDs. - By Isaiah Janzen

Brien Sweet delivers his musical message armed with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. His fretboard work is concise and bold while his singing is emotive and genuine. On songs like "Geisha Liberation" Sweet exhibits complete control, picking a complex rhythm that stays right in step with his vocals. His flanged guitar is highly effective on the sky bound "Orion" cleverly capturing the sentiment of the song, while his infectious, chunky groove on "Get Off The Floor" (our personal favorite)satisfies even the most discerning listener. A rubbery bass line permeates the war story "Surrender," a fitting song for our troubled times. A thirteenth bonus track appears on the album that is not listed on the main track list. This is an engaging outing for Brien Sweet and one he can be proud of. - by Douglas Sloan

NH's Hippo Press - by Erica Febre

One man ISO band
Brian Sweet wants to fill in the sound
By Erica Febre efebre@hippopress.com

Brien Sweet, a young musician from Nashua, has been doing solo acoustic shows for the last two years but what he really wants is a band of his own.

He’s already got a drummer. Now all he needs is a bass player.

“I’ve been playing with a number of bands since high school. I’d just rather be a part of something. Like, this is the band — this is us, kind of thing. But until I have that I just go and do what I can by myself,” Sweet said.

Sweet spent seven weeks of the summer in residency at the Boardwalk Inn at Hampton Beach. He’s also done his share of shows at the local lounges, bars and coffee shops, like Fody’s Tavern and the Peddler’s Daughter in Nashua or Brew’d Awakening in Lowell, Mass.

“I’m always playing as though there were a band with me. I don’t know how funny that looks from the audience but that’s what I’m hearing. The music was written to be performed with a full band. I always say that my solo shows are like a preview of what the band is going to be,” Sweet said.

Sweet knows how to work the circuit. He’s learned that you have to do the cover gigs if you want to get paid, especially as an original musician. A typical gig for Sweet would be a three-hour cover set, with squeeze-time for a few originals. He takes only an acoustic guitar with him on stage but he can also play electric guitar, bass and piano.

“My big influences are ’80s new wave and ’90s grunge. I don’t have an easy-to-listen-to voice. Like with Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. You either hate his voice or love it. There’s a little angsty, aggressive feel. It’s kind of an up-and-down dynamic, really loud intense vocals and then really soft, just back and forth, like a wave of emotions,” Sweet said.

Aside from his commitment to music, Sweet has also recently made a commitment to get married next year. Saving funds for a wedding and also saving money for new equipment and recording time, Sweet works as a full-time waiter and takes the gigs where he can get them.
- Hippo Press NH