Caldwells-Inspired Essex Lights Shines on Hollywood

Three time zones and nearly 3,000 miles away, a piece of The Caldwells—and Essex County—remains a big part of Michael C. Brawer.

Brawer, who now calls Los Angeles home after once living in West Caldwell and North Caldwell, has found inspiration from his roots in a project called The Essex Lights.

The West Essex Regional High School grad's collection of songs titled, "Action Park and the Indian Summer" is more than a musical journey with name dropping for folks of Essex County.

Like "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," it's appeal is universal, with an acoustic-based, rock/folk/jazz sound that is a trip through "the best records of the '70s." It's a fresh alternative to the general current musical landscape.

Each song tells a mini-story as Brawer's background invariably and frequently pops up. He gets extra points for "Postcards from Rio," which contains the line "I'm missing Jersey these days."

In addition to the the overall concept and songwriting, Brawer also played all of the instruments on the collection.

It also wouldn't be out of place to hear the album playing over the sound system at Rockin' Joe, on Sirius/XM's Coffeehouse channel or even on a boom box at a backyard barbecue.

Here's a closer look at the 28-year-old transplant from The Caldwells as we recently Patch-ed through to Hollywood.

Caldwells Patch: Where exactly are you living in California?

Michael C. Brawer: I'm in the Hollywood Hills, and you feel like you're in the woods but you're really in the city proper. It's a great place to make music.

CP: With being so fond of where you grew up to the point of musical inspiration, what made you decide to relocate about as far away in the Continental United States as you can get?

MB: (laughs) Well, when I graduated from college (University of Pennsylvania), I thought about it. I had always worked in movies as an intern and came out here for work. Los Angeles has become as much of what I am as Essex County.

CP: What came first—writing songs or deciding to write songs about Essex County?

MB: I took a circuitous route to music. I started writing in my free time and it had a nostalgic feel to it. Then the band name, album title and more—they're all Jersey references. I write in narrative form. The lyrics are stories from my life, so my music became a reflection of my youth—a simpler time.

CP: Would you say that as a songwriter, your Caldwells background is an advantage?

MB: (emphatically) Yes, it's an advantage to have this background of growing up in an All-American town. That's the aesthetic that I was drawing from for my album—right down to the vintage-style photography. 

CP: Did your "Essex love" bloom when you were here or afterward?

MB: It was one of those "you don't know what you've got until it's gone" things. I first went to college in South Jersey and realized I had an affinity for our region—more so than other places I have lived. It's still the same when I go back. There's still a vibe—it's hard to put your finger on it.

CP: How did you "find" music in your life, or how did it "find" you?

MB: My entire musical background is due to a my music teacher at West Essex—Joseph Telesco. My senior year was actually his last year. He was really everyone's favorite. Even now, when I'm in the studio, I think of things I've learned from him. Had I not had the background he gave me, I wouldn't have the tools necessary to do solo production. He always said to know not just an instrument, but music. 

CP: I wanted to ask you about your musicianship—not only did you write all of the songs on "Action Park  and the Indian Summer," you also performed all the instruments?

MB: There's no other humans on the record but me. Now, there's a little flute here, but that I did on the keyboard!

CP: Besides your high school music teacher, who are some of your other primary influences?

MB: Bruce Springsteen and Jimi Hendrix.

CP: There's two you don't see together.

MB: I think Bruce is the greatest American songwriter of all time. If you ever pick up and play a guitar, everyone hears Jimi at some point and is like, "woah." There's so much to learn from a guy like that.

CP: How old were you when you starting playing? Writing songs?

MB: I've been playing music as far back as I can remember. I had piano lessons ... it wasn't until I started playing guitar around 12 or 13 that I took things more seriously, and as soon as I was playing guitar, I started writing songs.

CP: Describe the overall sound of The Essex Lights.

MB: It's rock and roll, and I'm proud to say just that. There's a lot of blues and soul on there, too. I wanted to emulate those big sounds from the '70s.

CP: I caught a '70s feel overall, song wise...

MB: That was conscientious—as soon I started working with vintage equipment. ... There's a lot of songs from the '70s with iconic production. I was digging through the record pile, looking for ideas. The album—as one of my bios says—is a "fun little tour of your favorite albums from the '70s."

CP: How do you play live? Solo or with a band?

MB: I use a laptop and some gizmos, but it's basically me and a guitar live.

CP: Are you planning on doing any shows out here?

MB: I would love to—I'm trying to put something together. 

CP: What three things do you miss from The Caldwells, Essex County and New Jersey the most?

MB: Oh, "proper" Italian food! I also miss the fall—you can keep the winter! Finally, my family. I'm very close to them.

CP: Is your family still here in The Caldwells?

MB: My parents are still in North Caldwell, happily still in the house I grew up in. I don't have any siblings.

CP: How do your parents feel about your pursuit of music?

MB: I'm very fortunate to say that my mom and dad are totally supportive of my musical endeavors and are my biggest fans. I dedicated my record to them and there's no question in my mind that without their support, none of this would be possible. Every time I write, record, produce a song, I think about how they would enjoy the tune.  

I'm eternally grateful to have such a wonderful, smart and supportive family standing behind these crazy endeavors of mine. Plus, they get the obvious credit due to any folks for raising a guitar player—it doesn't start very pretty in the early years, but the amps are just as loud. God bless them. They had faith that something would grow out of the cacophony.

CP: Do you visit home often?

MB: I visit as much as my schedule allows. Fortunately, my folks come to see me in L.A. as well. I still need a periodic "Jersey Infusion" probably four times a year. 

Brawer plans to soon extend "Action Park and the Indian Summer" with some additional, freshly recorded songs that he said will be released for free on his website.

The Essex Lights album is available on iTunes and you can follow him on Twitter.