Eric & The Soo were recently invited to be the inaugural band to record at the newly renovated Harlow Sound Studios. We were honoured at the gesture, and happily agreed. We had a great session, knocking out two songs, “Grass Is Greener” and “Back on My Feet Again”. The evening was documented and is now presented as this playful, tongue-in-cheek, mockumentary style video which was produced and directed by my brother, award winning actor and filmmaker, Mark Brombacher. You can follow his creative journey here: Mark Brombacher – Actor
Big thanks to studio owner, Greg English for making it all happen. And big thanks to engineer Justin McWilliams for his fantastic work in recording and mixing these songs.
Without further ado, we present “Grass Is Greener”
Grass Is Greener is also available on all streaming platforms:
Introducing “Algoma Street” a brand new EP by Eric & The Soo: I guess if this was an interview, maybe somewhere along the way I would be asked “Why Algoma Street? What is the meaning behind the title of this EP?”. Well, I’m glad you asked! It is inspired by a happy coincidence that we stumbled upon back in 2017. Some of you may already be aware that I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie (aka ‘The Soo’) which is where the band name comes from. Sault Ste. Marie happens to located within the District of Algoma (for my American friends, ‘district’ is akin to ‘county’). Back in 2017, I traveled home to Sault Ste. Marie to perform my first ever hometown gig at LopLops on Queen Street East. There was a short write-up in the paper, and the event was published in the “Algoma Entertainment Listings” section of the newspaper, which I photographed and posted on social media. Upon seeing this our lead guitarist, Ken Yoshioka, commented “hey! I live on Algoma Street in Toronto!” … what a beautiful coincidence! What are the chances? I knew right then, that I would one day release a record under the moniker “Algoma Street”. And here we are, 7 years later: Algoma Street is indeed named after the beautiful northern region of Ontario that I grew up in and treasure so dearly. Algoma Street is also a nod to our beloved guitarist, Ken Yoshioka, who is a founding member and a very important component of the Eric & The Soo ‘sound’. And it’s especially fitting this time around, as this EP includes “Today’s News (Nothing to Worry About)” which is the first ever Ken Yoshioka composition to appear on an Eric & The Soo record. It’s a beautiful song, and we are so proud to present it as part of this record.
Everyone involved in this project contributed so beautifully and in each in their own unique way. I worked very closely with our drummer Dino Naccarato to develop the appropriate groove and feel of the songs, and Dino also contributed to the development of the arrangements. Ken Yoshioka provided his usual imaginative magic on electric guitar and harmonica. Ken also helped in the development and structure of the vocal harmonies. We employed a trio of brilliant bass players with the aim of giving each song the special groove element that was needed. Christopher Kettlewell plays on the opening track “Time Won’t Let Me”, giving it a subtle jazz-pop element to complement the relatively simple roots-rock foundation of the song. The next four songs are more in the rock arena, with Sault Ste. Marie based bassist, Jon Ferguson, providing an assertive rock n’ roll sensibility to songs that range from moody to psychedelic. And finally, long time Eric & The Soo bassist, Tim Bradford provides the perfect, understated, country-folk groove to “I Am The Universe” which is probably one of the most meaningful songs I’ve ever written. Adding another element of beauty to the sound is Juno Award winning blues pianist and organist, Julian Fauth who seamlessly provides tasteful groove and melody elements throughout. As is always my aim, I truly feel we have created something that is greater than the sum of the parts.
I also want to highlight the incredible work of the behind the scenes production team. A huge slice of the credit goes to mixing engineer John Dinsmore. We’ve been working with John since 2019, and his contributions are nothing short of magical. You can hear it on this record especially, as it is an eclectic mix of richly textured songs. As someone who has heard what the raw inputs sounded like, in contrast to the polished final product, I can tell you that the function of mixing really becomes an artform in John’s hands. You can especially hear this on the song “Easy Misery”, which is a masterclass in mixing and engineering, and I’m so proud of the final result. Credit is also due to mastering engineer Jeff “Fedge” Elliot. Mastering is a bit of a dark art, and much like quantum physics it is not truly understood by anyone, not even the experts. Jeff however comes very close in understanding, as can be heard on this album: the songs sound rich, smooth, creamy, and vibrant, with all of the elements popping, when and where they should. I’m so grateful to be able to work with such talented professionals.
Last but not least, I want to acknowledge the beautiful cover art provided by Montreal based artist, John Naccarato (Dino’s big brother). Upon John’s request, I provided John with early mixes of the songs for inspiration (along with photos provided by Ken Yoshioka), and he internalized and synthesized these elements to provide the fantastic artwork shown here.
I really enjoyed making this record, and I’m so proud of these songs. I hope you like them too.
Eric Brombacher – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano Ken Yoshioka – Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmony Vocals Dino Naccarato – Drums & Percussion, Glockenspiel Julian Fauth – Piano, Organ Jon Ferguson – Bass Guitar on “Today’s News”, “Human Being”, “I’ve Been Searching”, and “Easy Misery” Tim Bradford – Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals on “I Am The Universe” Christopher Kettlewell – Bass Guitar & Harmony Vocals on “Time Won’t Let Me”
All songs words & music by Eric Brombacher, except “Today’s News (Nothing To Worry About)” words & music by Ken Yoshioka
Produced by Eric Brombacher Engineered & Mixed by John Dinsmore at Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto Mastering by Jeff “Fedge” Elliott at Union Sound in Toronto
An Orange Peel Productions Production
Recorded by Eric & The Soo at: Lauchringen Sounds in Toronto Dean’s Attic in Toronto Algoma Street Studios in Toronto Hotbox Studios in Sault Ste. Marie
Cover Art & Design by John Naccarato Photography by Ken Yoshioka
I lived in Germany for a few years, and just recently moved back to Canada. While in Germany, I met a talented artist and beautiful soul by the name of Ratko Vukovic. Ratko, who employs the nom de Plume “George Maxwell” lived about an hour’s drive away from me on the other side of the Rhine River, in Zurich, Switzerland. Since it is the name he has chosen to represent his artistic pursuits, I’ll refer to my friend as “George” from hereon in. When I was living in Germany, I was located in the town of Lauchringen which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Kadelburg, birthplace of my father, and ancestral home of the Brombachers. My cousin Ralf lives there, just 4 doors down from the house that my grandfather built. My cousin has a brother-in-law named Dzo (pronounced just like “Joe”), whom I got know and befriend. And one day Dzo took us to meet his brother George Maxwell at his art gallery on the outskirts of Zurich. And that’s how I got to meet George, and he’s a lovely guy, and we became friends too. I admire George as an artist, he’s prolific, and constantly growing and exploring new ideas. That’s the kind of artist I want to be.
George Maxwell, Zurich, Switzerland+Eric Brombacher, Toronto, Canada
Flash forward a few years, and I’m in Kadelburg performing at a garden party, and George is there with his lovely wife. After the show, he approaches me, and amidst the compliments he proposes the idea that we ought to collaborate on a synth-pop song. Now, I’m a rock n’ roller, and normally my response to such a query would be a hard “no”, but I like George, and I respect him as an artist, so I decided to open my heart and mind, and give it a try. And I’m glad I did. The result is a song called “First Time”, and I’m quite proud of it. George wrote the music, and I wrote the words and the vocal melody. I also added some electric guitar to fill out some of the breaks. (I think this was the section where I was supposed to do some rapping, but this old rocker has his limits, so I stuck with what I know). George did a superb job in mixing and producing the track, and the result is an interesting mix of George’s electronic influences, and my country-rock, organic sensibilities. George also lent his talents as a visual artist to create the magnificent cover art.
Introducing “First Time” by George Maxwell & Eric Brombacher
Chances are, if you are on this site, you probably already know who I am, but just in case: My name is Eric Brombacher, and I am a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Toronto. I’m involved in several projects, but my main focus is my band Eric & The Soo which has been going strong since 2015. Now let’s learn some more about George…
George Maxwell is an accomplished artist whose work showcases his mastery of form, color, and composition. Maxwell’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the art world. His pieces are included in private collections, as well as corporate collections, and he continues to inspire and delight audiences with his creativity and talent.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Maxwell is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. He has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, sharing his knowledge and passion for art with those who seek to learn. His commitment to education and community has earned him respect and admiration from his peers and students alike.
With his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjectsMaxwell is a true master of his craft and a valued member of the art community. “ART IS THE KEY TO LIFE”
“First Time” by George Maxwell (featuring Eric Brombacher) is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, AppleMusic, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube and more. I hope you enjoy this.
“Frist Time” by George Maxwell + Eric Brombacher
(words & music by George Maxwell & Eric Brombacher)
Introducing “Going To Texas” a new experiment in psychedelic Texas blues originating from the recesses of a slumbering mind. This current experiment represents new territory for Eric & The Soo as they tackle a song that was born in the dreamworld of Eric’s younger brother Mark Brombacher. According to Mark, “the song came to me in a dream, the melody, the words, and even the groove. It was still there upon waking, and well into the next day just bouncing around in my head. I’m not a musician, so I took the song to my brother Eric; I hummed him the melody and the groove, and described my general vision for the song, and he took it to his band and ran with it”. “It was a really exciting challenge to tap into my brother’s mind and bring his dreamy, ethereal creation to reality.” says Eric, “I transposed Mark’s ideas to bass guitar and vocals, and added some extra lyrical bits and musical sections to flesh out the arrangment, Dino Naccarato and Ken Yoshioka added their magic on drums and electric guitar, and before we knew it ‘Going To Texas’ was born!”
Adding to the excitement is that “Going To Texas” is slated to appear in upcoming feature film “A Wicked Muse” which is expected to release in mid 2024. “A Wicked Muse” is a supernatural horror-suspense film written by and starring Mark Brombacher. That’s right, Eric’s little bro is indeed a film maker, actor, producer, screenwriter, and I guess we can now add songwriter to that list. Enjoy “Going To Texas”, add it to your favourite playlist on your favourite streaming platform, and keep an eye out for “A Wicked Muse” in 2024.
Introducing “It’s A Rich Tapestry – Singles Collection: 2015-2023”; a retrospective celebrating the first 8 years of Eric & The Soo. Comprising all single releases, plus selections from the first two albums, this collection also includes a re-mix, a remake, and an outtake adding some newness and freshness for your listening pleasure. The re-mix is visited upon fan favourite “Yesterday When I Was Young” which originally appeared on 2018’s “Modern Dystopia”. Also included is a re-make of live staple “Johnny”, re-imagined as country-gospel arrangement, and bluesy outtake “Cool Mornings (Alternate Take)” which was recorded back in 2015 as part of the “Small Town Dreamer” sessions.
The songs are presented in chronological order of release, giving the listener a feel for the evolution of the band’s sound over time. Inspired by a variety of influences, Eric & The Soo have never been confined by the notion of genre, and this can be heard in this collection, with sounds ranging from 70’s style rock & country, to folk-pop, psychedelic rock, blues rock, and even psychedelic jazz.
Eric & The Soo originally formed in 2015 with Eric Brombacher at the helm as singer-songwriter, and an ever evolving cast of supporting players, before eventually stabilizing to a core line up consisting of Ken Yoshioka on guitar and harmonica, Dino Naccarato on drums and percussion, and Tim Bradford on bass guitar and harmony vocals. Already at work on their next album, this band of troubadours continues to enjoy the creation and presentation of their music for all to enjoy. Says front-man Eric “We’ve really enjoyed crafting these songs over the past eight years, and we hope you enjoy them too!”
“It’s A Rich Tapestry: Singles Collection 2015-2023” Now streaming on all platforms!
Eric Brombacher – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Piano Ken Yoshioka – Electric Guitar, Harmonica Tim Bradford – Bass Guitar, Harmony Vocals Dino Naccarato – Drums & Percussion, Marimba, Xylophone Julian Fauth – Piano, Organ James McKie – Violin, Lapsteel Guitar
Guest Musicians: Tim Bovaconti, Jerry Leger, Dan Mock, Ted Pruce, Craig Robertson, Kyle Sullivan
All songs words & music by Eric Brombacher, except “We Will Stay The Same”, “Moneytown” words & music by Eric Brombacher and Ken Yoshioka; “Great Northern Road” words & music by Tim Ryan
All songs produced by Eric Brombacher, except “My Hometown”, “Out Of The Blue”, “Yesterday When I Was Young” produced by Eric Brombacher and Jerry Leger
All songs engineered & mixed by John Dinsmore, except “My Hometown”, “Out Of The Blue” engineered & mixed by Aaron Comeau
Songs 1,2,15 recorded by Aaron Comeau at “The Trailer” in Toronto Song 3 recorded at Tim Bovaconti at “Tim’s Garage” in Toronto Songs 4,5,6,11,12,13,14 recorded by John Dinsmore at “Lincoln County Social Club” in Toronto Songs 7,8,9,10 recorded by Eric & The Soo at Orange Peel Productions
All Songs mastered by Jeff “Fedge” Elliott at Union Sound in Toronto
Cover Art & Design by Jason Schultz Photography by Jessie Poh
Eric & The Soo present “She Dreams In Colours” a song that celebrates timeless love and its power to open the hearts and minds of all that come within its blissful grasp. “She sees the world in a different light”, and she shares that beautiful perspective with the singer of the song. True love heals, true love comforts, and it also enhances and expands our appreciation for this beautiful thing called life.
Introducing “She Dreams In Colours” (words & music by Eric Brombacher)
Recorded by veteran engineer John Dinsmore at Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club, the song features the talents of Ken Yoshioka on electric guitar and harmonica, Tim Bradford on bass, Julian Fauth on piano, James McKie on violin, Dino Naccarato on drums, and Eric Brombacher on acoustic guitar and vocals.”This one ended up having a poignant and uplifting folky sensibility which beautifully supports the lyrics and theme of the song” relates frontman Eric Brombacher.
Written by Eric Brombacher, “She Dreams In Colours” with its mid February release warms our hearts to help carry us through these coldest days of our Canadian winter. We hope that it warms your hearts too.
There’s also an official video to accompany the song. The video features new original artwork by Eric Brombacher plus some vintage artwork from his dear ol’ mom, Annemarie Brombacher. Enjoy it here:
“She Dreams In Colours” is available on your favourite streaming platform:
Eric Brombacher – Vocals & Acoustic Guitar Ken Yoshioka – Electric Guitar, Harmonica Tim Bradford – Bass Guitar Dino Naccarato – Drums & Percussion Julian Fauth – Piano James McKie – Violin
Produced by Eric Brombacher
Recorded in Toronto by John Dinsmore at “Lincoln County Social Club” Engineered and Mixed by John Dinsmore Mastered by Jeff ‘Fedge’ Elliott at “Union Sound”
Cover Art & Design by Eric Brombacher Cover Photo by Eric Brombacher
(c) 2023 Eastside Confectionery Records (p) 2022 Eric Brombacher Songs
Eric & The Soo’s latest single, the contemplative “Moneytown” examines the loneliness of a man stuck in the hamster wheel of corporate life. The scene is set against the backdrop of an ever changing urban landscape, where history and charm give way to gentrification and corporatization. Our favourite restaurants, bars, and “mom and pop” shops give way to condos, and chain restaurants. In the process, our beloved city loses pieces of its soul. And we lose a part of our soul, and a part of our history too. The brooding lyrics are backed by upbeat instrumentation giving the song a poignant, introspective feel.
Moneytown was co-written by bandmates Eric Brombacher & Ken Yoshioka
Recorded by veteran engineer John Dinsmore at Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club, the song features the talents of Ken Yoshioka on electric guitar, Tim Bradford on bass, Julian Fauth on keys, James McKie on violin, Dino Naccarato on drums, and Eric Brombacher on acoustic guitar and vocals.”It ended up having a jazzy, groovy feel, setting the perfect tone and mood to support the lyrics. I especially enjoy the interplay between the violin, keyboards, and electric guitar” relates frontman Eric Brombacher.
Written by Eric Brombacher & Ken Yoshioka, “Moneytown” guides us into the moody days of autumn with a release date of September 6th, 2022 on Eastside Confectionery Records. So sit back, press play, and enjoy the vibe, and if it gives you pause, and it makes you think, all the better.
Eric Brombacher – Vocals & Acoustic Guitar Ken Yoshioka – Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar Tim Bradford – Bass Guitar, Harmony Vocals Dino Naccarato – Drums & Percussion Julian Fauth – Wurlitzer Electric Piano James McKie – Violin
Produced by Eric Brombacher
Recorded in Toronto by John Dinsmore at “Lincoln County Social Club” Engineered and Mixed by John Dinsmore Mastered by Jeff ‘Fedge’ Elliott at “Union Sound”
Cover Art & Design by Eric Brombacher Cover Photo by Jessie Poh
(c) 2022 Eastside Confectionery Records (p) 2022 Eric Brombacher Songs
Introducing a song about the permanence of love in an impermanent world: “Things will change and time will pass, but we will stay the same” proclaims the latest breezy single from Toronto song-crafters, Eric & The Soo. Recorded in Toronto by John Dinsmore at the band’s favourite studio, Lincoln County Social Club, “We Will Stay The Same” features the talents of Ken Yoshioka on lead guitar, Tim Bradford on bass guitar and harmony vocals, Dino Naccarato on drums, along with Juno award winning blues artist Julian Fauth on electric piano, and James McKie on the violin. As usual, band leader Eric Brombacher does his part on vocals and acoustic guitar.
Celebrating a job well done at Lincoln County Social Club, Toronto (clockwise from top left: Julian Fauth, James McKie, Tim Bradford, Dino Naccarato, John Dinsmore, Eric Brombacher, Ken Yoshioka)
“This one is really special to me as it is the first co-write between myself and our beloved guitarist/harpist Ken Yoshioka.” says co-songwriter Eric Brombacher. “Ken came by and he had all these great musical ideas, we took his music and my words, and this is the first of which I hope are many such collaborations to come.” The band really got behind the song each adding the magical elements that contribute to the joyous pop-rock energy behind this ditty. “I think it might be our catchiest song yet!” says Eric.
Released on May 31st, 2022 “We Will Stay The Same” is accompanied by a homegrown video featuring behind the scenes footage from the band’s day at the studio along with imagery from a visit to the beach. Enjoy the shimmery upbeat vibes as you glide into summer with Eric & The Soo!
Recorded on March 5th, 2022 at Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto, Canada.
released May 31, 2022
Words & Music by Eric Brombacher & Ken Yoshioka
Eric Brombacher – Vocals & Acoustic Guitar Ken Yoshioka – Electric Guitar, Harmony Vocals Tim Bradford – Bass Guitar, Harmony Vocals Dino Naccarato – Drums & Percussion, Harmony Vocals Julian Fauth – Wurlitzer Electric Piano James McKie – Violin
Produced by Eric Brombacher
Recorded in Toronto by John Dinsmore at “Lincoln County Social Club” Engineered and Mixed by John Dinsmore Mastered by Jeff ‘Fedge’ Elliott at “Union Sound”
Cover Art & Design by Eric Brombacher Cover Photo by Jessie Poh
(c) 2022 Eastside Confectionery Records (p) 2022 Eric Brombacher Songs
Introducing Eric & The Soo’s most experimental work to date, blending elements of jazz, prog-rock, psychedelia, blues, and folk. Showcasing the depth of talent within the band, “It’s OK To Be Beautiful” is a genre-bending work that encourages you, the listener, to be proud of who you are, because who you are is beautiful. Speaking of beauty, this song contains beautiful performances from Ken Yoshioka on guitar, slide guitar, and harmonica, while Dino Naccarato impresses with a rock-solid drum performance showcasing a wide range of styles. Dino also takes his first turn on Marimba and Xylophone for this recording introducing a whole new dimension of sound to the Eric & The Soo canon. Tim Bradford underpins these performances with a driving bass line, while Eric Brombacher floats his acoustic guitar over top and lends his voice to the vocal section.
Songwriter Eric Brombacher creates a new vehicle to showcase the talents of his band mates. Photo by Brian Tremblay.
As Eric relates, “The core concept for the song came to me after an evening of listening to jazz stylings of Wes Montgomery. I started to hear a guitar melody in my head, which I immediately sang into my phone. The following evening, Dino and I got to work on building the song, and it grew from there. Though I question its commercial viability, it’s a song I’m immensely proud of, specifically as it serves as a great showcase for the talents of my bandmates.”
Photo by Annemarie Brombacher ca. 1975
So come join us on this experimental, musical ride. Maybe it will inspire you to open your mind to something new. It’s OK to try new things, it’s OK to open your mind, it’s OK to be beautiful.
Produced by Eric Brombacher
Eric Brombacher – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar Ken Yoshioka – Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica Tim Bradford – Bass Guitar Dino Naccarato – Drums, Marimba, Xylophone
Words & Music by Eric Brombacher
Recorded remotely in Toronto, and North Bay, Canada
An Orange Peel Productions production
Engineered & Mixed by John Dinsmore at Lincoln County Social Club, Toronto Mastered by Jeff “Fedge” Elliott at Union Sound, Toronto
Cover Art & Design by Eric Brombacher Cover Photo by Annemarie Brombacher
(c) 2022 Eastside Confectionery Records (p) 2021 Eric Brombacher Music
Introducing “Mutterwolf“, the latest single from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada based Kadelburg. For this offering, the eclectic indie garage-rock trio dipped into their heavy metal roots to pen a mythically inspired tale of a Mother Wolf on the hunt for her estranged and troubled son. “Like a wolf on the hunt she flashes her teeth, puts her lipstick on, and steps into the street”, imploring her beloved offspring to come in out of the cold, and to return home. He’s an angry young man, with a mind and will of his own. Will he find peace in his tortured soul? Will he hear his mother’s pleas and finally return home? Only time will tell.
Kadelburg from left to right: Eric Brombacher, Dino Naccarato, Jon Ferguson.
Recorded on a cold winter’s night in Sault Ste. Marie, this song continues the tried and true formula of recording the song immediately after its conception, while the ideas are still fresh, with all instruments recorded in one or two takes to keep it all raw and real. Featuring the talents of core members Eric Brombacher on lead vocals, Jon Ferguson on bass, rhythm guitar and vocals, and Dino Naccarato on drums, this latest offering also includes fellow Sault natives Michael Davies on lead guitar, and Bill Grawbarger on backing vocals.
Mutterwolf by Kadelburg. Cover art by Dino Naccarato.
Says Eric, “this song draws from all of our respective influences; Americana, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, etc., the blending of which creates a unique sound, a sound that we couldn’t have predicted or expected.” As Kadelburg continues to find their footing as a band, we hope that this experimental mixing of genres continues, and we hope that you the listener continues to join them on this musical adventure.
Mutterwolf by Kadelburg
Words & Music by Eric Brombacher and Jon Ferguson
Eric Brombacher – Vocals Jon Ferguson – Bass Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals Dino Naccarato – Drums
Special Guests: Michael Davies – Lead Guitar Bill Grawbarger – Backing Vocals
Produced by Eric Brombacher
Recorded at HotBox Studios in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada Drums Recorded in Dean’s Attic in Toronto, Canada
Engineered and Mixed by Eric Brombacher Mastering by BandLab
Eastside Confectionery Records 