Episode 319: Joseph Settine of The Brook & The Bluff

 I’m psyched to welcome Joseph Settine to Roadcase for his second visit to the show. This time around, we were in the cozy confines of the podcasting studio at the lovely Russell Hotel in East Nashville. Joseph is the frontman of The Brook & The Bluff, who return to their Rock roots with their latest album, Werewolf. With loads of personal changes over the past several years, Joseph is well acquainted with life's transitions, and this wonderful album reflects the growth of the band both musically and personally.

Joseph is an open book – thoughtful and self-aware – and the sky’s the limit in this stellar interview. He talks to me about the driving forces behind the latest music, and his deep sense of gratitude as the band heads into its 10th year of hard work and life on the road. I can’t wait for you to give this one a listen!!

=======================================

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome and Episode Intro with Host Josh Rosenberg

4:00 — Intro, height jokes, and concert crowd etiquette5:30 — Bonnaroo stories and the reality of standing out in a crowd7:30 — Going to shows off the road and the magic of live music8:00 — Playing with Rainbow Kitten Surprise and performing at Red Rocks9:00 — Why Red Rocks feels special from both the audience and performer perspective10:50 — Front of house, sound, and how Joseph likes to experience shows12:30 — Introducing Werewolf and the shift to a rock sound13:00 — Tracking the album live and making music like a band again14:00 — Working with producer Micah T and why the partnership works16:00 — Building songs to be fun to play live18:00 — Balancing studio ambition with live-band energy19:00 — Concerns about how fans would receive the new direction20:00 — Why the songs “play themselves”21:00 — Reworking older material for the stage22:15 — Why now was the right time for a rock record23:40 — College-era DIY shows and pandemic livestreams24:20 — Birmingham, Saturn, and the city’s music scene28:00 — A stranger buys breakfast and southern hospitality30:50 — Life changes, emotional writing, and the roots of the album31:20 — Listening habits: Little Feat, Tom Petty, and classic songwriters32:30 — Relationship changes, divorce, and writing in real time35:40 — “Can’t Figure It Out” and songwriting as therapy36:30 — Joseph’s role as main lyricist and how songs come together38:15 — Starting with the first line and writing like a puzzle39:30 — The importance of a strong opening line41:20 — Joseph’s lyrical approach versus Alec’s instrumental approach43:40 — “Super Bowl Sunday” and avoiding hard conversations45:00 — People-pleasing, conflict avoidance, and learning self-accountability47:20 — Therapy, resentment, and learning to communicate earlier48:40 — Dogs, healing, and the role of companionship51:10 — Tour response to Werewolf and fans singing the new songs52:50 — What the band tries to create on stage: joy and connection53:50 — Letting go of perfectionism during live performance56:00 — Staying present, trusting the band, and performing with confidence57:20 — Where Brook on the Bluff is now and how close the band feels59:40 — Gratitude, luck, hard work, and how the band got here01:02:40 — DIY booking, early hustle, and the long road to national tours01:05:00 — Focusing more on creativity now that the band has a team01:06:00 — Looking back at milestones like Bonnaroo, Red Rocks, Webster Hall, and House of Blues01:08:00 — Old fans, new fans, and building a lasting connection01:09:50 — Why live music matters in a more isolated world01:11:00 — Music as a shared human experience01:12:10 — Fans telling Joseph the musi