Last week, they brought the roof down at The Red & The Black, literally. OK, not really literally. We can't blame the Brindley Brothers for the crumbling ceiling which closed off the upper level of the H Street Corridor’s version of DC9 last week (it's hopefully fixed by now, we're trying to find out). What we can tell you is that the quality and dedication illustrated in their intimate acoustic set confirmed why they have been deemed as one of this month’s Three Stars. Luke and Daniel hail from the Garden State, and their passion for all aspects of the music making process brought them down to the District. Currently both brothers own and operate Virginia’s Jammin’ Java, which, in addition to being a stop for many big name artists who pass through the area, also includes a recording studio and music school.

We sat in on what was intended to be a part of older brother Luke’s solo September residency, which turned into a laid back jam session with both brothers and even a little harmonica and vocals from opener Alec Gross. Luke, who sounds frighteningly similar to Jakob Dylan, and at times reminiscent of Eels front man Mark Oliver Everett, is currently working on a new album to be released later this year. Together they performed several songs off of their latest album, including the slower folk-enfused “Keep Me In Your Heart” and “Man on Fire”, in which their New Jersey roots are exposed in this very Springsteen sounding track. The Brindley Brothers also covered The Boss’ “Atlantic City” and picked up the pace with “Saturday Night”, one of the catchier pop tracks off of Filled With Fire. Their songs are enriched with warm sounds and thoughtful lyrics that tell the true story of the two brothers, who made music their life, but we also got the chance to ask them a few questions of our own.

Visit Them At: www.brindleybrothers.com

See Them Next: Tonight, Luke's solo performance at DC9, 9pm. Or, October 1st at Jammin' Java as part of the Rock and Roll Songwriters Circle.

Buy Their Album: At CD Baby

Questions For the Brindley Brothers:

What brought you guys to D.C., and how did you first get involved with Jammin’ Java?

We moved to D.C. to run Jammin’ Java. While we were still in New Jersey, we heard about the place from a friend of a friend who was working for the original owners. The business wasn’t doing very well so they were looking for people to take it over – we wanted to do it and they let us. We thought it would be a good job that would still allow us to tour and make music and be involved in the music scene.

How do you balance your time with both managing the club and producing new music/going on tour?

As of a year and a half ago, Luke doesn’t work at the club full-time anymore and just does music – recording, touring, writing, teaching, etc. Daniel does all the booking and management of the club along with the third brother, Jonathan, who runs the café and bar downstairs.

You mention that you often write your songs before you know what they are about, yet most are drawn from personal experiences. Could you talk a bit about the inspiration behind your music? What’s with all of the fire and light references?

I try not to think about it too much. The best ones are usually the ones that come together quickest. I like the Neil Young quote where he says when he is writing, as soon as he starts thinking too much he stops writing — I might not be that extreme, but there is a mystery to the creative process. I find that late at night or first thing in the morning is the best time to write. It usually starts with some kind of lyrical idea — whether it's a title or a line or a theme or sometimes the complete song. Then, just messing around on the guitar until I hear something I can expand on or that compliments whatever lyrical idea I have. There's a lot of nonsense singing involved usually, just to solidify the melody and the general phrasing.

Sometimes the lyrics can be evocative and not specific – I’m a fan of abstract expressionist painting, some poetry, mystical writers, and poetic songwriters like Bruce Cockburn, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Tweedy, Nick Drake – but I also admire straightforward songwriters like Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters), Springsteen, Petty. So part of what I do is reconciling musical extremes like this. But cultural extremes are on my mind as well. During college I did a lot of traveling – Brazil, Romania, Hungary, Ghana, The Ivory Coast, Switzerland, Germany, etc. Many of these places, especially Brazil, we see extremes between classes right next to each other. Also, can’t downplay the influence of New Jersey. I grew up there and it is the state where, I believe, you see the most extremes – some of the richest areas in the country right next to some of the poorest. I spent a lot of time shuffling betweene the two in college.

You guys get to work with a lot of bands who live in or come through the D.C. area to play on your stage. As musicians and club owners, what elements do you think make up a successful artist?

The artists we enjoy most are ones who have found what makes them unique and what they do best and pull it off live. This is true across genres — we appreciate everyone from rockabilly Telecaster master Bill Kirchen, pop/rock songwriter Butch Walker, Irish guitarist John Doyle, contemporary folk singer/songwriter Ellis Paul, etc.

In addition to the stage and studio, you also run a music school. Could you tell us a little about this side project?

The music school is unique in the area. Luke teaches guitar there a couple days a week. Other musicians from other D.C. area bands teach there too – Shane Hines, Buddy Speier (Welbitl) Anthony Fiacco (The Echoes), Patrick Williams (The Echoes, Brainfang), and Rick Hodes (Timelord, The Echoes), Mark Caponi (Brainfang) and others teach there also. It’s a nice mix of styles and backgrounds but all the teachers are actively performing, etc.

What can we expect from the upcoming album? Is this purely a solo album, or will both brothers be involved?

Both brothers will be involved. The album will center around Luke’s songwriting and will be more striped-down that than the last two records. More variety in instrumentation. It’s going to be recorded over 4-5 days mostly live.

Aside from the album, what else do you guys have lined up in the near future? We hear that one of your songs will soon be encouraging people to put on some clothes rather than to tear them off. Your thoughts on the forthcoming Abercrombie in-store airtime?

Luke is doing a tour with Stephen Kellogg (Universal Records) in late December after the new record is out. Luke is also starting to headline venues in other markets as a solo act – more touring around the east coast. More extensive touring in the new year to support the new record.

The Abercrombie and Polo thing is fun for us. We didn’t actively seek that out – one of the programmers that works at the company that provides the music for those stores is a fan and puts tracks from our new records on the playlists. Nothing against preppies, but we never shop at those places (can’t afford it!) so we haven’t had a chance to hear the tunes, but people have said they’ve heard them. Some people kind of give us a hard time because the mall isn’t the hippest place to hear new music I guess, but we’re not that uptight about it. The music’s still strong – doesn’t matter where it’s played. We don’t make any money off of it – we should figure out a way to capitalize on it…

What are a few of your favorite local acts?

We like The Echoes, Rocknoceros, The Getaway Car…

What’s your opinion of the D.C. music scene, both positives and negatives?

Seems like the D.C. music scene is growing – a lot of new clubs like Rock and Roll Hotel, The Red and the Black, etc. Like any music scene I guess there are things we don’t like – bland corporate rock, bad singer/songwriters, anything pretentious. Compared to new york or philly, the scene here is smaller, so it is easier for a good band to stand out and get some attention locally. The 9:30 Club is one of the best clubs in the country and we love going there and playing there. Same with the Birchmere. I think Jammin’ Java has filled a niche in the scene.