“Better Luck Next Time” - the new EP from alternative folk-pop singer/songwriter Brother Valiant
Brother Valiant is an alternative folk-pop project spearheaded by singer-songwriter AJ Amsterdam. Inspired by folk legends new and old, from Paul Simon to Connor Oberst, Brother Valiant is a noble attempt to capture the magic that made these artists so iconic. After only a few shows, Brother Valiant released the singles “Little House” and “Devil” in 2015, along with a full-length LP “Thus, He Was” in the summer of 2016. His 2021 single "Lady Daisy" received widespread critical acclaim with Atwood Magazine calling the song "a gripping folk sound that enchants listeners".
Much of Brother Valiant’s sound brings together mental snapshots of living life between a big city and the sprawling suburbs; Riding through coastal beach towns that pave way into bustling city streets. The viscerally emotive, and oftentimes satirical lyricism, bite through a soundscape of anthemic choruses, jangly guitars and rambunctious horns. Themes of navigating feelings of anxiety, love, and fear through an adventurous spirit remain a hallmark of the songwriting, which bleed through with an authentic wit. Brother Valiant has played extensively throughout the East Coast, at such notable venues as The Iridium, Rockwood Music Hall, The Knitting Factory, City Winery, and The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC).
Better Luck Next Time, his new EP is a collection of songs all about accepting the imperfections in life. He confides, "Nothing is perfect. Nobody has it all figured out one hundred percent. But at the end of the day, we should embrace the journey we are on, and owe it to ourselves to find fulfillment along the way." Single "C'est La Vie" is an intoxicating dreamy indie folk track chronicling trying to make big changes for someone you care about. "The premise of the song is accepting that deep down, to an extent, we are always going to have certain qualities and quirks that we cannot change about ourselves," confides Brother Valiant. Then there is the evocative and emotional track “A Dream So Clear", which explores the loss of a loved one through the eyes of a life partner. After the passing of the artist’s father, his mother recalls a dream she had of a visit from her late husband. Driven by a stunningly emotive and raw vocal performance, and accompanied by a beautifully picked guitar motif, this song captures the story of eternal love, even after death, and how we wish some dreams could last forever.
With soul-stirring melodies, wistful acoustic guitars and a knack for storytelling, Brother Valiant is an important artist on the rise.
