From staff writer, Jill Garrett:

Brian Elmquist, he’s a little bit country and a lot rock’n’roll

My online community days began with Stroke 9’s email announcing their profile. My first band-friend-request was from a singer/songwriter from Missouri, Nathan Brooks, whom was playing at the Pub in a few weeks. Nathan and I exchanged messages including the plea "I better see you there," so I went. He was opening for a local band, Westover, whose singer was Brian with guitarists John Reints and Jason Noe, bassist Jason Harris and drummer Justin Glasco. Seated on the patio, Brian’s girlfriend Julie struck up a conversation, thus my relationship with Westover began. I became known as "the girl who drove an hour" to see them.

Westover’s motto was "Give us back our rock ‘n’ roll." With a list of influences including The Rolling Stones and Guns N Roses, they served it to us weekly with "Fast Car," "Mercury Rising," "Silence Please" and "We Should Be Lovers." Over about 20 performances, I witnessed their songwriting skills, love of performing and ability to put on a great party soar. If you’ve heard of the Rock & Roll Circus, they are why. Complete with a ringleader, bourlesque girls, carnival-type performance artists, mud wrestling, and several opening acts (even one night with Kip Winger) the Circus crowds packed the Pub. They have since played Mercy Lounge, been in the studio … and seemed to be in hibernation.

A few weeks ago, via Myspace and a text message, Brian informed me that he’s playing at The Five Spot. Again, I drive an hour to see my ol’ friend.

He tells me that due to traveling restrictions with Westover, he’s since traveled and performed on his own. He and (former Westover drummer) Justin have been writing, recording and producing songs. But he’s as restless as the songs he pens. Originally from Georgia, he’s struggling with returning home yet remaining hopeful that Nashville "will bite" on this new venture.

During "Situation Unknown" he sings, "I won’t go silently/take this world away from me/I’m not part of your policy/We could use some sympathy down here." In "Funny Thing" he tells about a "Little girl who’d wreck your world in the blink of an eye/Little runaway save your love for a rainy day/But there’s not a cloud your sky." He closed his Five Spot performance with "We Should Be Lovers," a tender plea to explore a confined passion, "Brace yourself/This is gonna hurt/This is gonna make you cry/Laugh out loud/Shout for the joy of it all/This is love, this is love."

Brian writes love songs, love-me songs, pack-your-bags songs, fighting-with-the-sun songs, and even country songs. "You live in Nashville long enough and you’ll write a country song," he said introducing "If You Must Go."

Overall, he’s a lover and fighter. He’s ready to run and wants you to come along for the ride. He easily commands his melodic tenor complete with screams, sighs and clever fades. With an acoustic guitar at his hips, he plays without fear.

Donnie had worked with Brian and Justin before. The Park studio is behind music row. It has been producing records for some of the most innovative alt county and alt rock artists from all over the country including Abbie Huxley, Alli Rogers, Eric Vinson, Hulsey and The Worsties.

"I first had the privilege of working with Brian when he was fronting Westover. It was amazing to me how he could captivate an audience and really live the rock star persona. He’s a caricature of sorts. He’s larger than life. It’s a rare thing to see an artist perform and consume the listener in such a way," Donnie said. "Justin is a great is an amazing session player as well as producer. They cut drums here … and he freakin’ tore it up. It’s never a question of competency. He has done a fantastic job of developing this new direction for Brian. I was grateful to have the opportunity to engineer those tracks for the record."