Breaking boundaries and creating new musical standards drive Brian Buckley as a songwriter and performer.  Born and bred in California, he has spent his life making music and tailoring his craft.  His powerful and moving debut studio record, For Her - set for release on April 17, 2007 on Chris Allison’s label Sonic360 - manages to project the in-the-moment vibe of his live performance, as well as his myriad of influences and experiences. Never one to force the process, his muse comes naturally and is uninhibited.

Seeing Buckley perform might be the truest way to experience the free-flow of his artistry as Brian’s own hope for his audience is that each live show is a different experience than the last.  The spur of the moment, improvisational and inspirational jams that one sees at his concerts are intentionally captured on For Her.

Buckley set out to transcend the captivity of the studio, and throughout For Her he brings his songs to life with a pure, instinctive musical spirit, in a fluid dynamic of tenderness and power. Conventional song structures don’t confine Buckley, as each track finds the artist reinventing himself. Most of his tunes shift both shape and tempo to create a dramatic complexity of mood.

Some choice hands help articulate the musical moments, including Zappa alumni Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and five-tour Zappa vet Arthur Barrow (bass, piano, organ), who also produced and engineered the record.  Alan La Police and Erik Leckrone sweeten the musical pot with their percussive antics while Adam Watkins works the keys. Buckley’s lead guitarist, Mike McGraw, especially shines, matching Buckley’s vocals (and acoustic playing) in tone, expressive range, and emotional impact.  Scott Gordon’s mastering work (Alanis Morrisette and Ringo Starr) polishes off this dynamic debut.

Listening to Brian and his band craft their grooves never gets old.  Intimate moments abound, among them the soulful ballad, “Ready for This Love;” the delicate acoustic introspection of “This Life of a Dreamer;” and the naked vocal power of “In Another World (She is Gone).” Elsewhere, Latin hand percussion and Colaiuta’s intricate hi-hat work set up a little Santana jam-out bliss on “Little Pieces” and “Spanish Tragedy”.

From soft confessions to soaring vocal vamps and magical musicality on For Her coupled with the purity and innovation of his live performances, leaves no doubt that Brian Buckley is developing into a bonafide artist.