Music offers this incredible opportunity for a group of people to sync their heartbeats. In my three decades here on earth, I don’t think I’ve found another vessel for togetherness quite like song.

And in that same spirit, Bryan Titus assembled a band of string players and gifted us his triumphant single ‘Building My Best Life.’

Bryan Titus is interested in the real world. Growing up steeped in bluegrass and Americana, Titus spends his time in string bands and through hiking the Appalachian trail. There’s a refreshing sincerity to his work. In a world of autotune and samples, here is a songwriter who yearns for simple truths. Together with friends Jeff Kranzler (upright bass), Dustin Janson (cajon and vocals), and Jesse Olema (fiddle), Titus writes songs that make ordinary moments feel like epiphanies.

‘Building My Best Life’ is full of pastoral images – gravel roads, sewn-up jeans, and Friday nights. Titus sees his life as a patchwork quilt of memories – the good and bad are woven together into one large, beautiful blanket. There’s always another square to add – another piece of the puzzle missing. And that’s the message at the heart of the song. Titus sings as if today really could be the best thing to ever happen to him.

Our world is full of comparison. We see countless images every day of people who appear to have it more put together than us. Titus’ vision is unflinchingly optimistic, and it’s reflective of how truly kaleidoscopic existence can be. One moment we may be partying in a field of clovers. The next, we’re saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But through it all, we have songs like ‘Building My Best Life’ to keep our spirits high.

You talk about the band functioning together to create a drum kit. How long did that take to perfect?

Well, I don’t think we have perfected it yet tbh. More than anything it’s a mindset that helps us really listen to each other & work together as a band.

What was the process like recording at Mini Horse Studio?

Mini Horse is housed in a renovated horse barn … and I love barns.

We set up in the live room in a triangle facing each other surrounded by like a million microphones. Microphones that cost as much as a car (Joel has really nice gear). Then we just worked our way thru the new tunes doing a few takes of each until we got one that felt good. We didn’t play to a “click track” – we just tried to play like we were doing a show: having fun & vibing off each other. We got thru all 12 tunes in a few days.

I then had to fly back to Connecticut & play a bunch of solo shows. After a month I returned to Santa Ynez & we did a few days of overdubs for harmony vocals, percussion, & all that amazing fiddle by Jesse.

So it is a truly live record but sweetened with overdubs.

You hike the Appalachian Trail. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from your time on the AT?

There’s so many …

I guess the biggest lesson I learned was about patience. A two thousand mile walk from Georgia to Maine is gonna take a while even if you rush. I definitely didn’t rush. I wanted to experience as much as I could & learn about the culture & history of the places I was walking thru. It helped to look at the big goal as a series of little goals. Just get over this next peak, just get thru today, just get to the next re-supply town, just get to Harper’s Ferry where you get to meet up with your wifey for the first time in months. These days it’s so easy to get overwhelmed so just start small & keep going! Oh & don’t be too proud to accept help.

What’s next for you?

I am excited to get out on the road this summer to celebrate the release of this record. I’m going on a couple of tours with my fellow “Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Most Wanted Emerging Artists” (long story) – that’s The Twangtown Paramours & High Tea. We are doing an east coast run from Maine to Virginia ending back in Connecticut on the main stage of the Folk Fest. I will also be reuniting with my California buddies Jeff Kranzler & Dustin Janson for some shows around the Central Coast & Santa Maria Valley AVA (an amazing wine region). Can’t wait to see you at a show & put a slab of vinyl in your hand!

Theo D.

Headline photo: Bryan Titus (photo credit: Bryan Toro)

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