Solo outing: Brady Seals returns to the country scene ready to rebel with 'Play Time'

Ohio-born singer-songwriter Brady Seals has a lot on his mind as of late, but in particular, he's a bit preoccupied with Play Time, his forthcoming CD that's solo all the way.

Set for release Aug. 18 from the StarCity Recording Company, the 11-song CD began as a project that the now-solo Seals, a one-time member of both Hot Apple Pie and Little Texas, initially plotted as something he'd distribute online as an indie effort.

However, once a copy of the Play Time advance made its way to the Pennsylvania-based label's chief, Jeff Glixman, all that changed.

"I hadn't really shopped my record around, because I was leery of people not getting into it," Seals says. "But of course Jeff got into it right away

—and no wonder. This is the guy who produced the Georgia Satellites 'Keep Your Hands to Yourself.'"

Long story short, Seals said that once he met with Glixman, the connection was instant. StarCity execs, jazzed about what they heard, promised the singer he'd have full control of the project, if he opted to release it with the label's help.

"I was thrilled to hear from this boutique indie label that wanted to release my album exactly as I had hoped to on my own ... only with more money to put behind it," shares Seals, who fittingly serves as the album's producer.

Described as an "adult-geared" venture, Play Time finds its creator, a first-time father, ready to call all the shots from here forward.

"The great thing about being a solo artist  is that you don't have to compromise at all when it comes to the music," he observes. "Hire whoever you want for whatever song you've got and make it the best it can be. ..."

Fully in the driver's seat, Seals set about creating an album that focuses on "long-legged, half-wasted" party girls, a favorte marijuana crop, illicist smoke breaks and all the related trappings of dance-club debauchery.

"It gets raunchy and raw," Seals concedes of Play Time. "But I've always wanted to make music that affects people. Love it, hate it. But you can't ignore it."

At the helm of the CD, Seals co-penned every song on the disc, sans one, including the lead single, "Ho Down," a number that he inked years back with cousin Kizzy Plush.

"I was just waiting for the right time to record it ... (and) Play Time is the perfect fit," says Seals, who adds that the song's "jealousy and alcohol don't mix well" lyrics are something he's seen played out in real life time and again from the stage.

Three members of Seals former band, Hot Apple Pie, stopped by to lend their musical support on three of the Play Time tracks, as did Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Richard Marx

—the latter of whom pitched in to provide backing vocals on a song he co-wrote, "You'll Come Running," a number that Hot Apple Pie first cut while signed to MCA.

With plans to shoot a music video in honor of the debut "Ho Down" single, Seals isn't necessarily banking on widespread commerical-radio acceptance for Play Time, but he is focused on having a good time with his music.

"I'm really only interested in having a damn good time," he confirms, "not being so serious all the time, and not playing anybody else's game but your own."

 

 

---