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Amy Sciarretto – April 29, 2011
Independent artist Zach Broocke will release his fourth album WatchDogLookOut on Dualtone Records.
Having been involved in the music business for thirteen years and splitting his time between Nashville and Los Angeles, Broocke has cultivated an outstanding team to complete his current project.
Contributers to WatchDogLookOut include producer/engineer Chad Brown (Ryan Adams, Faith Hill), percussionists Ken Coomer (Wilco, Steve Earle) and Fred Eltringham (The Wallflowers, Rivers Cuomo), upright bassist Frank Swart (Morphine, Norah Jones), keys guru Curt Perkins (Josh Rouse, J.J. Cale), guitarist Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt), complete with the mastering being done by Andrew Mendelson (Van Morrison, Rolling Stones). With a half a dozen more ancillary players, the team’s total discographies account for well in excess of 40 million records sold.
Color us impressed.
“This team has provided us with a record that is live, honest and refreshing. At the end of the day, while it may remind one of ‘famous’ records, it stands as a composition that is all its own,” said Chad Brown.
Without outside representation and funding, Broocke has become an expert at putting together top-notch recordings on a shoestring budget along with proven dedication, time, energy and strong relationships. He has released one full-length album and two EPs, has toured nationally in elite coast-to-coast venues and has placed his material in many films including Feast of Love and Henry Poole Was Here.
Broocke’s previous work has been well-received by critics with comparisons to Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello and Chris Isaak. Are you going to check out Zach Broocke’s WatchDogLookOut?
UNITEDWAYNASHVILLE.ORG
June 22, 2010
“United Way of Metropolitan Nashville proudly announces the top two finalists of our LIVE UNITED Summer Song Contest”
With many of Nashville’s at-risk neighborhoods recovering from the recent flood, more Nashville students than ever will lack the supplies to return to school prepared to succeed. United Way’s LIVE UNITED Summer Song Contest featured a chance to perform live at 3rd and Lindsley during United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” School Supply Drive Launch Concert on June 24th.
LIVE UNITED Summer Song Contest Finalists are “Hope (Don’t Disappoint Me)” by Jeremy McCoy and “Life Well Lived” by Simone Lazer and Joe Vulpis.
There were eight additional semi-finalists comprising the top 10 entries. Congratulations to these songwriters!
Declan McGary,” Here We Are”
Robin Ruddy/Jimbeau Hinson, “The Best in Us”
Robert Stapleton,” Before a Miracle”
Don Gallardo, “Today”
Zach Broocke, “Ways To Go”
Leilah Hayman/Amanda Williams, “Help Me Understand”
Bobby McCormick/Lynn Willbanks, “The Biggest Hearts Win”
Ben Gortmaker, “Pantry Raid”
On behalf of the team at United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, we would like to thank EVERYONE who participated in our LIVE UNITED Summer Song Contest. The caliber of songs we received was remarkable, and the messages and stories behind the songs were extremely moving.
NASHVILLE INDIE MUSIC EXAMINER
Angie Bianchi – May 26, 2010
“Zach Broocke at The Basement”
Zach Broocke has bounced around the US singing and writing, but, to help Music City recover from the flood, he’s donating the proceeds from his tour and EP sales to The Red Cross Nashville all throughout the month of May.
Broocke was born in Milwaukee. After deciding to pursue songwriting, he moved to Boston to write for his debut EP. Throughout these experiences, he was influenced by folk rock and country artists like Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard.
After some time spent in Boston, Zach Broocke headed down to Nashville to record his first full-length CD, Be Somebody. Here he met Troy Johnson (Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban), who would become one of his primary writing partners. During his time here, Broocke opened for acts like Shawn Mullins, Carbon Leaf, and Bob Schneider. He also toured the East Coast extensively, and wrote songs for his second EP, Last Call.
A few years ago, Broocke headed out to L.A. He started a band, and recorded that EP that was in the works. He’s had songs featured on TV shows like The Real World and Bad Girls, and in the movie Henry Poole is Here.
Now back in Nashville, Zach Broocke will release an album of new tunes entitled WatchDogLook in 2011. This CD will be for sale at his shows this month… and remember, proceeds go to the Red Cross! If you miss Broocke’s show this week at the Basement, however, you’ll have another chance to catch him on June 3rd at 3rd & Lindsley.
What: Zach Broocke
When: Wednesday, May 26th at 8pm
Where: The Basement
Cover: $5
MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE
Sarah Skates – January 22, 2010
“Helping Haiti: Benefits with Superstars, Locals”
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The Features, Blue Mother Tupelo, Zach Broocke, Damien Horne, Jason Johnson, Jeanne Jolly, Denitia Odigie, Joe E. Rich, The Roots Union and Scott Simontacchi are set for Nashville Reaches Out: A Benefit For Haiti. It will be at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, at Third & Lindsley. Cost is $10. All proceeds will go to Yele Haiti. The event is headed up by Broocke, Johnson and publicist Jill Garrett.
MUSICRELEASER.COM
Be Somebody, recorded after yet another transfer, this time to Nashville, Tennessee, looks mostly toward the song writing of David Gray or Joe Henry, revisited with a modernist sensibility. The core of the album explores the possibilities offered by the revolution, while taking place in the alt-country movement, thus aligning him with the rural paths of tradition (listen to the wonderful rock/country, electrified “Ugly Boy”s or the explosive force of “Come Cut In”), while the arrangements make the most of Broocke’s fascination with pop, with a series of synthetic touches never as effective as in the rich, emotional farewell of “Final Goodbye.”
INDIE-MUSIC.COM
Todd Beemis
This is one of those records where, upon first listen, you scratch your head and think to yourself, “Why the hell isn’t this guy famous?” Zach Broocke’s Be Somebody is that good…and I guess the world is that unfair.
Skating expertly among several clear influences — Phoenix, Del Amitri, U2, Elvis Costello and Robbie Williams (in the best sense of that one!) — but making every song his own, this CD is bursting with talented goodness.
There’s not a note too many, nor a song too overdone. I can’t pick a favorite song but I can recommend the countrified rocker “Ugly Boys,” the Costello-esque “Come Cut In” and the majestic closing track “Final Goodbye.”
Perhaps the sheer polish of the work is why Broocke isn’t wiping the floor with a gold record, but I doubt it. In fact, I suggest it’s just a matter of time until this fellow is a household word.
Zach Broocke makes the musical demand that his listeners Be Somebody. It’s only fair, because he’s clearly on the way to becoming that — and then some — himself.
CD BABY
With detectable tinges of Jason White, Mark Cohn and David Gray, Zach Broocke storms ahead with a vibrant, resonant buzz, taking the rural, rugged, good and gritty, sand paper texture of Americana and combining it with the urban, lush, sonic and chewy swirls of pop. Sealing the deal with his classic Americana vocals, both coarse and friendly, this album rocks from start to finish with track after track of professionally-polished, meticulously-crafted songs for the urban cowboy, city slicker and inner cowgirl/boy in everyone.
PERFORMING SONGWRITER MAGAZINE
Liz Norris
Introducing Zach Broocke, a young singer-songwriter who delivers his own versatile blend of Americana Pop on his debut CD, Be Somebody. The 11 tracks from this sophisticated album are equal parts heartland rock and progressive folk decorated with straight-ahead pop sensibilities. Broocke has assembled a handful of topnotch musicians, each bringing their own distinctive flavor to this polished recording.
From Milwaukee by way of Nashville, Broocke is an old soul with a contemporary twist. Broocke could break hearts with his melancholy swoon in the tracks, “Fall Apart” and “Come Cut In,” yet he displays an edgier grit on the rockabilly-esque “Ugly Boys.” The title track is fit for airplay on any Alternative/Triple A station. The album contains earnest and bittersweet songs with hooks that follow you around for days. Pay attention; we will be hearing more from Broocke in the future.
INDEPENDENT SONGWRITER MAGAZINE
January 1, 2007
ZACH BROOCKE – “BE SOMEBODY”
Track 1- “Be Somebody”
Jackson Brown fans will love this track. The horn arrangement credits go to none other than the phenomenal Jim Hoke, and with the song’s Eagle-ish drum work, and the happy “let’s hug the world together” lyrical slant you can’t help but enjoy the whole creation.
Track 2 – “Pullin Up The Drive”
A song reminiscent of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Rock nuances, country flavorings, and a pinch of 80s influence…it’s all in there. A great tune for crankin’ up on the car stereo and cruisin’ down the boulevard.
Track 3 – “Come Cut In”
Brian Adam-ish gem of a classic-to-be. Rollicking. Fun.
Track 4 – “For Tonight”
Steamy ballad smoldering with passion. Put this one on “repeat” and let it play on. It’s too good to waste on just one run-through.
Track 5 – “Fall Apart”
Zach’s falsetto is as magical as Chris Isaak’s high moan on “Wicked Ways.” Zach does a beautiful job with this fiery delight.
Track 6 – “Ugly Boys”
Well, the title says it all. Girl, dontcha go messin’ with those ugly boys. They only got one thing on their mind and it always causes trouble, honey.
Track 7 – “This Time”
A flashing musical collage of intense images and feelings too fast and numerous to recognize. Some of the deja-vu images create an uneasy in the gut.
Track 8 – “Stay With Me Now”
Easy-going love song that kicks a soda can along a hot summer sidewalk; lost in reflection.
Track 9 – “Kathleen”
Someone out there in a blur of faces, a woman stops to hear this song. She knows it was written for her. She holds the other half of this sad story; her tears a silent testimony to love’s complexity.
Track 10 – “On You”
Hot enough to melt an ice cube on the speaker.
Track 11 – “Final Goodbye”
What a great way to end the CD. It’s the red velvet curtain slowly coming down. It’s the dollar bill squashed in the burgandy glass on top of the piano. It’s the last mouthful of beer and a quick wave to the barkeep. Class sans the sap. Way cool.
SUMMARY:
One of the best things on this album is the persistent energy level. Even in the ballads the caffeinated buzz does not diminish. The quality is so consistent throughout this CD that one would think the whole album was completed in one session without any retakes. Zach is an amazing visionary. Like many of the greats before him, Zach knows what he wants to accomplish with this project. He allows just enough balance between the emotions without compromising to any of them. That’s quite a balancing act. But then, Zach’s not an ordinary songwriter. Pure vocal butter with songwriting that is so good it should be served with mashed potatoes on Grandma’s best China.
