Buck (Instrumentals)

Brainstory are a Los Angeles trio who have built their sound from a nimble amalgam of jazz, funk, R&B, and trippy psychedelia. The project of brothers Kevin and Tony Martin and their friend Eric Hagstrom, the band's self-released EP helped them win a deal with retro enthusiasts Big Crown Records. They made their full-length debut with 2019's Buck, followed in 2021 by the largely instrumental and self-recorded Ripe EP. Their sophomore album, 2024's Sounds Good, continued their evolution with increasingly tight arrangements and melodic songwriting.

Kevin (guitar, vocals) and Tony Martin (bass) played music together from a young age, initially making straightforward punk jams. Through a combination of their frequent visits to a gospel church and their grandfather's collection of jazz and soul records, they eventually shifted gears to incorporate those elements. Having enrolled at separate colleges, the brothers parted ways for a time, but upon finishing their respective degrees, they reconvened in Los Angeles. After reuniting they formed an acoustic duo, which got them into the local live circuit. They met drummer Eric Hagstrom in 2012, morphing into a conventional jazz trio, something that they pursued for a couple of years. Wanting to diversify their sound, they began incorporating elements of psychedelia and soul into their music, coining the name Brainstory in the process.

Following the 2017 release of their eponymous debut EP, they became good friends with fellow musician Chicano Batman, joining him as a supporting act on his national tour. Batman introduced the trio to Leon Michaels and Danny Akalepse, who went on to sign them to Big Crown Records. Michaels would go on to produce their debut album, 2019's Buck. The LP featured vocals by both Kevin an Tony, as well as a guest spot from their father, Big Tone.

Unable to perform or enter a proper studio during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Brainstory took a D.I.Y. approach to their next project. Converting their rehearsal space to a studio, the trio self-produced a mostly instrumental seven-song EP that showcased their jazz roots with side trips into '60s and '70s funk, hip-hop, and a distinctly Californian feel. Ripe was released by Big Crown in June 2021. Once touring resumed, Brainstory continued to tighten their sound, playing shows with acts like Lady Wray and developing new material for their follow-up album. With Michaels again producing, the band recorded their sophomore album, Sounds Good, which was released in April 2024. ~ Liam Martin