Uncommon Ground ^ Brenda Weiler

Brenda Weiler
Four years after her last studio release, Brenda Weiler returns with 'End The Rain', her bravest and most personal album to date. Her sixth album is scheduled to be released on September 4th on Minnesota's Speaker Phone Records. 'End The Rain' was born of the overwhelming mix of feelings Weiler experienced after losing her older sister to suicide in late 2005. Having been raised in a musical family, it made sense that Brenda would explore the range of emotions she was feeling through song, as evidenced in lyrics from the title track, “I'm not going to say what can be sung.” The result is a powerful collection of songs that
beautifully articulates a personal journey through loss.

The songs on 'End The Rain' are arranged in the order they were written, allowing the listener to follow Weiler through her experience and grief. The album opener, “Not Forgiven” was the first song Weiler wrote after her sister's death, coming quickly after a long period of silence. In it she sings of the guilt a survivor feels, the size of her burden evident in the catch in her voice as she pleads, 'God, let this pass
through me.' “Noise and Sound,” an upbeat mantra for change, expresses the desire to feel normal again, while “Those Neighbor Kids” touches on the insufficiency of language to express sympathy and our discomfort with true expressions of grief. 'End The Rain' closes with the title track and the haunting words, 'Can I say goodbye when I'm not done with you?'. Weiler originally envisioned the album ending with a song expressing the peace she found at the end of this process, but neither that feeling nor that song came,
and the result is refreshingly honest.
'End the Rain' was recorded at Shortman Studio in Minneapolis, MN over a period of a week in February 2007 with the help of co-producer and engineer Darren Jackson. The songs were recorded live, vocals and guitar tracked at the same time, with no effects added to either. The result is an honest, intimate
sound, highlighting the nuances of Weiler's pure vocals, personal lyrics and clear guitar sound.

Weiler originally started writing songs while in her hometown of Fargo, North Dakota after graduating from high school. Choosing the open road over college, Weiler spent much of the next eight years touring and writing, releasing five albums to critical acclaim and great regional success. Weiler became known for her ability to connect to her audience, regardless of the size of the venue, as well as her insightful songs and compelling voice. Weiler moved to Portland, Oregon from the Midwest five years ago but is planning a move back this summer. She will be touring in support of her new album this fall.

Weiler has become involved in suicide prevention and awareness, helping to organize a benefit walk in her
hometown to support the work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). She's also
helped form a local AFSP chapter in Fargo with emphasis on education and survivor support. Although 'End The Rain' was written for personal reasons, she hopes the album will help bring awareness to suicide prevention.

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