The High Key Portrait Series: Brian LaPann

Brian LaPann | Photo by Josh Pelta-Heller for WXPN | hellerhound.com

“High Key” is a series of profiles conceived with the intent to tell the story of Philly’s diverse musical legacy by spotlighting individual artists in portrait photography, as well as with an interview focusing on the artist’s experience living, creating, and performing in this city. “High Key” will be featured in biweekly installments, as the series seeks to spotlight artists both individually and within the context of his or her respective group or artistic collective.

Although New Jersey native Brian LaPann had enjoyed a modest following fronting Jersey-based blues-rock band 61 North, he says the draw of Philly’s music community compelled him to make the leap a few years back to set up shop near one of South Philly’s hottest neighborhoods, and to begin work with some of the local musicians whom he admired most. Here LaPann honed his skills as a lead guitarist, and considered a broader diversity of influence and instrumentation as he wrote, recorded and produced his latest EP.

This month saw the releases of a music video and the two singles above from LaPann, a long time coming for a singer who’s working earnestly toward the achievement and who seems to have long felt the draw of composing solo work. With a handful of local show dates on the horizon this Summer, LaPann looks forward to showing off “Can’t Stand Losing You,” and “Constantly Falling” to a hometown crowd.

The Key: You were raised near Philly, where did you grow up?

Brian LaPann: Right, I’m from Southern New Jersey — Woodstown, a country town just over the bridge about 30 minutes south of the Walt Whitman.

TK: What brought you to Philly?

BL: Music. I went to school at the University of Delaware, and after school I came home to Jersey, worked for a couple years at this arts and music center called Appel Farm. Put on some concerts, and then ended up getting a job just so I could move into Philly to get the scene, because Woodstown is, you know, it’s a nice place to grow up but it’s not much of a music scene. So, I was at a law firm doing administration in Wilmington, and I got a house in South Philly. I would just commute, and that’s really where I started to meet cats in Philly and play.

TK: How did you first get connected to Philly music and musicians?

BL: Well before I even moved into Philly, I used to go to Time, which is to me a staple place. It was a whole other vibe for me. I was in a band for eight years that I founded down in Jersey called 61 North. We had some success playing up and down the east coast, we had some cool hits — very country/blues/rock kind of a vibe. And at Time, they had this Monday night session with Luke [Carlos] O’Reilly, Korey Riker. That whole scene, that soul scene, they would just play jazz — what to me is jazz, improvised music — but it was very Philly-centric, it was very now, it was very incredible. And so all these session musicians for r&b acts, or nationally touring acts would show up. Jason Mraz came one time. So I would just go and observe, and that blew my mind, that actually made me wanna move to Philly, that session alone.

TK: Who’s your favorite Philly artist, or which Philly artist influenced you most?

BL: That’s a tough question. Honestly my peers, are the ones that did it. Like the cats from the session I was tellin’ you about, people like bassist Mitch [Beer] (seen above) — I started to meet all these folks that were just incredibly good musicians that pushed me outside. I thought I was a great guitarist, right — all of the sudden there’s twenty guitar players I’m lookin’ at goin’ holy shit, I need to get myself together. So, definitely my peers, more than anyone else on a higher level.

TK: Where did you play your first show in Philly, and what do you remember it being like to be onstage that night?

BL: The first show I did in Philly — well, I kinda sat in and stuff [at Time], but the first show I did was World Cafe Live. I did a bunch of shows upstairs and downstairs there with 61 North. I have a great relationship with those guys. It was definitely a rush, especially comin’ from a small town, and you know, playin’ a proper venue like World Cafe Live, it was a real thrill.

TK: Which music venue is your favorite to play at in Philly?

BL: Well I would say World Cafe Live, just because it feels like a home for me. And I also played quite a bit at the Queen down in Delaware, I have a couple different bands I played with over the years. I was the first musician to ever play in the Queen in Wilmington, and [founder] Hal Real was taking care of me, and always booked me in both locations, so I just love the World Cafe. He’s always been a close ally and friend.

TK: What do you love most about the arts scene in Philly?

BL: The quality of it in terms of musicianship is unsurpassed. People don’t see Philly as what it really is unless you get deep into the weeds and you get to know the musicians that are here, but they’re so incredible and there’s just so much to learn and so much collaboration. I love that there’s all these resources right at my fingertips, and all these people that I haven’t played with yet to learn from. That’s what I love the most.

TK: What do you find frustrating about being an artists in Philly, if anything?

BL: I think that, you know, the fanbase for music here, they look at other touring acts coming in, like a Pearl Jam or a bigger band or someone with a big buzz, and they’ll go to those shows, which is totally normal. But I feel like the city itself is starting to now look more internally and say look at this guy playin’ in the corner of City Tap House, look at this guy who’s playin’ in the corner of Time. Just because they’re playin’ in a local bar — like, listen, you know, turn your ears, because there’s great things happening. So I guess that’s the most frustrating thing. And also the bar owners in the smaller clubs — there’s some great mid- and bigger-level clubs here, but there’s not enough 150-seat Boot-&-Saddle-type, great sound, where you can really cut your teeth, and you can find out and see a great up-and-coming band play.

TK: Which Philly neighborhoods have you lived in, and which did you like?

BL: South Philly, I used to live at like 15th and Jackson, and then now I’m just on the other side of Broad, right behind South Philly High School. But I love Passyunk Avenue, it’s just a really cool, vibrant scene, where I can go hang out, and go to the bars and stuff, so. You know, I go all over the city, but it just kinda feels homey to me. I’m not sure what the future holds as far as where I’m gonna buy a house or whatever in town, but [South Philly’s] just so comfortable, and it’s easy parking, and it’s a creative scene.

TK: What’s your preferred means for getting around the city?

BL: I like to bike, unless I have my gear, and then I’ll drive.

TK: How have you seen the city change in your time living here?

BL: I’ve seen it change in energy level. And I’ve only been in town for six years — I’m also an event producer, and I have a business which is in the arts — I can just feel the energy of people. They come to the events, and there’s more of a curiosity around the arts scene — not just music, but visual, all the institutions that have come through, like The Barnes Foundation, etc. So there’s a lotta young people that are lookin’ for somethin’ more than a DJ in the corner [at events]. They want an experience, and I think Philly’s steppin’ up to the table for that.

TK: Cunningham or McNabb?

BL: I harken back to days with my Pops on the couch, so Cunningham.

TK: Pete Rose, Hall-Of-Famer or no?

BL: It’s tough, I think he deserves to be in it based on what he did playing baseball. I think you should be inducted into the Hall Of Fame based on your abilities in the sport.

TK: PBC or Yards?

BL: Yards.