On 9th February this year, Brentley Gore released his new studio album At The Ready on all streaming platforms, which he co-wrote and recorded in Nashville, Los Angeles and New York City. During his music career so far, Brentley has co-founded the band King Straggler, released his first solo album Up Until Now in 2011, and worked closely with musicians such as Billy Preston, Fernando Perdomo and Freddie Washington. Brentley starred as Hawk in the rock opera Staring into Nothing in Los Angeles in 2022, and he is best-known on screen for his role of Matt Garrison in the NBC series California Dreams, and he reunited with the rest of the original cast in October last year for the 90s Dream Fan Fest in New York. We spoke to Brentley about his new studio album At The Ready (which was released this year), starring as Hawk in the rock opera Staring into Nothing and his role of Matt Garrison in California Dreams.
Can you tell us about your new studio album At The Ready, which you released on all streaming platforms on 9th February?
At The Ready is an album of songs/recordings started in the 1990s, all written and recorded in Nashville, Los Angeles and New York City in several different high-end studios with legendary musicians. The songs were all co-written.
How long have you been working on At The Ready and how did you feel on release day?
For over 10 years! I felt a real sense of accomplishment and excitement. It was a real milestone for me to get this record released.
What has it been like seeing the fan response to the album so far and who do you think your music will appeal to?
The response has been fantastic. I’m grateful for those who listen and enjoy. Most recorded music isn’t made like this as much anymore and I’m very grateful to have been able to record it with such masterful musicians in such high end studios. I consider this record a pop rock heartfelt record.
What was the album like to write and record and do you have a favourite song on the tracklist?
Although I do not have a favourite track as they are all individually, uniquely important to me as an artist, I often love a song on a certain day and then move on to the next. I’m hoping this album will represent the deeper well of emotions involving personal relationships and individual expectations, and that listeners will share in my sentiment. I think there is a song for everyone on this album.
Can you tell us about your songwriting process and how much has it changed over time?
Songwriting for me has always been self-exploration like journal entries if you will. I can always relate my time of life to the song written because it’s such representation of where I was at the time. Sometimes these sentiments change. The songs always pinpoint times in my life though. I always aim for my songs to be honest self expressions in their purest forms. Like children whether they are popular or unpopular, I love them all the same.
Is there anything you enjoy most about being a music artist and recording your own music?
I love writing and performing music! Like a painter loves a blank canvas. That’s exactly how it feels. You can create whatever you want and match it to any style you’re feeling and also what you are thinking and processing. Although what you end up with is not always how it starts. Songwriting is my favourite lifelong process and challenge. Performance is an amazing necessary privilege and the perfect marriage! I love the whole deal.
Having co-founded the band King Straggler, released your first solo album Up Until Now in 2011, and recorded, played and written with a number of musicians including Billy Preston, Fernando Perdomo and Freddie Washington, what are some of your favourite highlights of your music career so far?
Playing to 30,000 people in Deadwood, South Dakota with King Straggler was one of them. It was on my birthday, June 19th. The crowd singing Happy Birthday to me while I stood centre stage is something I’ll never forget. Also, playing House of Blues with Billy Preston, who recorded with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, was another! There are so many. We would need more time… haha!
In 2022, you starred as Hawk in the rock opera Staring into Nothing in Los Angeles, what was the show like to be part of?
The rock opera was my highlight of 2022 – the plot, the musicians and the cast were stellar. It was truly a pleasure, and if I were to speak for the whole cast, I know we’d all love to do it again. I hope to revisit that again one day. Combining theatre and music is where it all started for me.
You are best-known for your role of Matt Garrison in the NBC series California Dreams, do you have any stand-out memories from working on the show that you can tell us about?
The whole process of doing a network television show is fantastic. I loved doing a sitcom as well because you get the live performance aspect. The cast and I are lifelong friends and my most significant moment was the very first episode; epic and life changing!
How did you find the experience filming as a regular character on a TV show and what was Matt like to play?
Matt seemed to be pretty natural for me to play because I think he was a genuine guy who deeply cared for those around them and, like most of us growing up, slightly self-conscious. I think I was a lot like Matt at that time for sure.
What was it like reuniting with the rest of the original cast in October last year for 90s Dreams Fan Fest in New York, and how is it knowing California Dreams is still popular with fans?
I love every time I get together with any of the cast members. The reunion show in New York City was fantastic. We picked up right where we left off like we never missed a day after all these years. I missed Heidi (Lenhart), who played my sister on the show, but I also got to meet the folks who were on California Dreams after I departed for the first time! Chalk that up to my best experience of 2023! Let’s do it again!
Where does your love of music and performing come from and how did you get into the industry?
I come from a long line of musicians in my family, some professional, mostly on my dad’s side of the family. He had a record deal in his early 20s and he taught me a lot about music! My grandmother wanted to be an actress so achieving that was stellar. I got to fulfill that desire passed down from previous generations.
What are some of your favourite music artists to listen to, and films and TV shows to watch?
I love The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty. I watch Netflix mini-series and documentaries a lot, especially music docs and biographies!
How do you like to spend your free time?
With my family, and planning the future. We love to travel and want to do more of it!
Do you have any live shows or release plans coming up that you can share and what are you hoping this year brings for you?
I’m ready to play more live shows solo, with a band and also with the California Dreams Band! Let me know if you’re ready for us to come play your living room or your hometown! Check on my website www.brentleygore.com
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