Brotherly connection: LA-based Brainstory brings 'Sounds Good' to Sister

Adrian Gomez, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·3 min read

Apr. 27—Eric Hagstrom is mentally preparing for life on the road.

It's something he's not used to — just yet.

"I'm making sure that I have everything that I need," he says. "The biggest thing on my mind is where I will do laundry. That's an important thing."

Hagstrom is one-third of the California-based band Brainstory. He is joined in the band by brothers Kevin and Tony Martin.

Brainstory released its latest album, "Sounds Good," on April 19. The band's tour is slated to make a stop at Sister at 7 p.m. Monday, April 29.

Hagstrom says while the group's initial connection comes from the heady mixture of jazz-performance-focused music school and the grind of playing local shows, their bond has been strengthened through countless hours on the road touring and the making of two studio records — 2019's debut full-length, "Buck," followed by 2021's "Ripe EP."

The band is based in Los Angeles but hails from Rialto, California.

Since they started the band, they have constantly faced situations that forced them to rise to the occasion.

They got signed to Big Crown Records and stepped up their game.

COVID happened, they learned to record themselves.

"We were working on the album for about two to three years," he says. "This is a moment where we realized that we could take control and see what happens."

Brainstory started touring a ton, sharing the stage with the likes of Lady Wray, and they got their live show super tight.

Part of their evolution is undoubtedly attributed to having access to and working constantly in their own studio in Long Beach.

Leon Michels, Big Crown's co-owner, produced this record and applied his unmistakable golden touch in crucial ways.

"When we brought 'Peach Optimo' in, it was originally at double-time to what's on the record," Hagstrom says. "And Leon said, 'Let's do it half-time.' So we played it a few times, then nailed it in one take. We were just like, 'Damn, that sounds so good.' "

Hagstrom says Big Crown's other co-owner Danny Akalapse also helped make some of the decisions for the album.

"Danny is really good at listening to each song and giving great input," he says. "What's great about his process is he knows which songs are going to pop off. We really valued everything he had to say and how he helped guide us into making this a really great record."

Hagstrom says the trio continues to work on the setlist

"We're going to experiment with it," he says. "We want to mix in our favorites and then whittle it down. We're playing the album from front to back for the LA release show. By the time we get to Albuquerque, we should have it down. With the band only being three people, it makes it easier for us to mix it up. Everybody knows the songs and we can improvise, which helps us keep it fresh."