The Brave Kind
Ventura, CA | Established. Jan 01, 2015
Music
Press
Sisterfriendfolkband
There’s no better way to describe an act like The Brave Kind than its own made-up term: sisterfriendfolkband. It encapsulates both the sound of the Ventura-born sister duo — Megan and Lauren Sexton on viola/vocals and acoustic guitar/vocals, respectively — and draws to mind the closeness of a sisterly bond. The Sexton sisters were raised on classic rock as living in Ventura encouraged laidback beachy vibes and the local Ojai scene brought the folk, which all ended up subtly influencing The Brave Kind’s lush, lilting sound. You may also catch hits of sister-favorite Portland, Oregon band Typhoon, some Florence + the Machine-esque dramatic vocals and early Saddle Creek Records sensibilities. So is there the typical squabbling you might expect of siblinghood creative endeavors à la Oasis’ combative Gallagher brothers? No fiery drama here. They live together, write together and tour for months at a time, yet somehow avoid getting on each other’s nerves too much.
Sudsy connection
Ventura’s Topa Topa Brewing Company has supported The Brave Kind since before the craft brewery even officially opened — the band and the burgeoning beer makers did an event at a friend’s warehouse together. Topa Topa brought a keg while The Brave Kind played some tunes. Then, when The Brave Kind launched a Kickstarter for its September 2015 eponymous debut EP, Topa Topa had the band play a gig at the brewery and donated a portion of the sales for the night toward it. The band’s played many times since, including last month’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. “They just really want to create a space for the Ventura community,” says Lauren, taking a sip from a beer and surveying the packed bar.
Crowdfunded debut
Lauren did a Kickstarter for a solo project three years back and it was successful, which isn’t always the case for bands as the crowdfunding world has become so flooded with musicians. So when she and Megan decided to record The Brave Kind EP, it was a natural decision to go for crowdfunding again. They raised $23,000 in 23 days on Kickstarter. Accomplished jazz pianist Dave Palmer at Brotheryn Studios in Ojai recorded the five-song EP. Songs such as the orchestral “Bloodlines” and emotionally raw “Conversation Two” (the latter stripped directly from the pages of Lauren’s journal) were specifically chosen to demonstrate who The Brave Kind is as a band.
The classical musician and the troubadour
Megan started playing the viola in middle school and mainly focused on classical music and orchestra, later playing at California Polytechnic State University. Lauren went the singer-songwriter route, mostly playing acoustic guitar. She was self-taught, in her room — almost the exact opposite of classically trained Megan. While Megan went to Cal Poly, Lauren did a stint living in and playing shows around Los Angeles. They rarely played together growing up but in late 2014 they both returned to Ventura and formed The Brave Kind.
On the road again
Touring in its ’93 Chevy van nicknamed “The White Whale,” The Brave Kind played almost 100 shows in the past six months but one stood out. It was at an intimate, newly opened coffee shop in Raleigh, North Carolina, owned by two sisters. “It was one of those nights where you just feel really focused,” says Lauren. After the show, one of the sisters came up to Lauren with tears in her eyes to tell her how much she connected to the music, how the lyrics meant so much to her. “This is why I’m doing music, for that special human connection,” she says. “It helps you push through the hard stuff.” - VC Reporter
Discography
The Brave Kind - EP (2015)
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Bio
Lauren and Megan Sexton are two sisters from Ventura, CA. As The Brave Kind they hope to create music that speaks truth and goodness over all things. With deep-cutting melodies, tight harmonies, and raw lyrics The Brave Kind uses music to tell stories of what it means to be human. They hope to connect with people on the most basic human level- in the lonely, broken, messiness and heartache, but with seeking, longing, hopeful expectation. The Brave Kind has a sound reminiscent of bands like Typhoon, The Head and the Heart, Of Monsters and Men, and The Staves. Their unique Indie-Folk-Rock sound is rooted in the blending of the intricate, yet driving acoustic guitar with the rich, warmth of the viola. Lauren and Megan pull inspiration from artists like Ben Howard, Fleetwood Mac, and Josh Garrels.
In September 2015, The Brave Kind released their first record. The five song EP was recorded close to home at Brotheryn Studios in Ojai, CA. They had the opportunity to work with incredibly brilliant musicians in the studio. The Brave Kind has toured across America from California to New York in their ’93 Chevy van playing house shows, bars, coffee shops, and venues like Room 5 and Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles.
The Brave Kind hope their music can convey truth and wholeness in the realities of the hard stuff of life. They believe in the power of music to transcends words as it inexplicably enters into the deep parts of the soul. The Brave Kind hopes to create music that does just that, so that, little by little, people might feel not quite so alone.
Band Members
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