Bio
Photo by Lauren Thomas
Some opt to take the road less traveled. With his latest release, Endless Ocean, Atlanta songwriter Jeff Delbridge has decided to take to the sea. And that has made all the difference.
Early on, Delbridge's story is a familiar one. Growing up with a sister who was a songwriter, Delbridge was influenced by her folksy storytelling style. At 13, he picked up a guitar of his own and found influences in places like Eddie's Attic, the revered songwriter's haven; it was there that a pre-platinum John Mayer encouraged Delbridge to never be afraid of writing, rewriting, and combining songs. "I developed a love for the song, for the craft," says Delbridge, whose own songwriting efforts culminated in the release of his debut album, What a Sunset Sounds Like, in 2005.
In the months that followed the release of Sunset, Delbridge split time as a performer playing at some of the Southeast's most respected venues - Smith's Olde Bar and Eddie's Attic among them - and as a student at the University of Georgia. This is where Delbridge's journey as an artist begins to look less like the well-worn path of many singer/songwriters.
After completing his college degree, Delbridge moved back to the Atlanta area and began working as a social worker. "That experience opened my eyes," said Delbridge. "To that point, I had only seen the world in one way. It was a humbling experience that deepened my faith." Though it was a difficult year, it proved to be a significant time of growth in his life. Unavoidably, these experiences began to infiltrate and influence Delbridge's writing, most notably the track, "Beautifully Broken." This song appeared on a compilation CD from the nonprofit organization Live Art, which Delbridge co-founded in 2006.
In 2007, Delbridge crossed paths with Christian Henderson Traylor, a student and composer from South Carolina. Delbridge said, "He had taken some of my songs and arranged them for a string quartet for my wedding, and it sounded amazing." This experience would prove to be a catalyst for the next phase of Delbridge's journey as a songwriter by laying the groundwork for the Endless Ocean EP. This project reflects his journey deep into the craft of songwriting in addition to his pursuit of depth and meaning through art.
"I had the vision for the EP about a year ago," Delbridge said about the record's beginning. "I had written the song 'Endless Ocean,' and it brought on images of strings and a symphonic sound. And ever since I heard what Christian could do with composition and string arrangements, I wanted to work with him on a creative project."
Working full time in Atlanta in addition to working with South Carolina based Traylor would result in a recording process that became about slow growth and evolution. According to Delbridge, "I would record demos at my home studio with some help at times from my friend, James Patke, and then I'd send them to Christian to arrange the string parts." With the arrangements complete, Traylor then assembled the string quartet, Quartet Offensive, in a recital hall at the University of South Carolina and recorded the strings with the help of sound engineer, Alex Davis. Delbridge recorded all other instruments - guitar, bass, drums, and vocals - at his home studio and Patke's studio, enlisting friends willing to record parts and using the string sections as the primary basis for his songs. "I planned to have the strings driving. For some reason, I just heard them at the forefront. A lot of times, strings are a soundtrack buried beneath the other instruments, but it's pretty interesting to hear them at the forefront, especially in an age of synths and computer effects."
Consisting of five tracks, Endless Ocean is a folk-tinged ferry ride across the sea buoyed by Traylor's vibrant string arrangements and Delbridge's knack for writing subtle stories that unravel with increasing depth listen after listen. The effect is more cinematic than standard singer/songwriter fare - as visual as it is aural. It is no surprise to learn that a key influence on Ocean’s sonic qualities is the work of French composer Yann Tiersen, specifically the Amelie movie soundtrack. "I think of these recordings more as 'word pictures' than simply songs. I hope to create a sense of wonder. When I leave a movie that inspires me, there are qualities of it that I can't describe. It's a transcendent experience," said Delbridge. "As I'm inspired, I'm writing what I can't really describe in full context. Musically, Endless Ocean attempts to capture that mystery and wonder."
It is clear that Delbridge has left the rat race many songwriters cannot escape and along the way has discovered a new freedom at the helm of his own journey. "With Sunset, I think I wanted to achieve some kind of status, but in that process I realized that it's all a process," stated Delbridge. About Endless Ocean, Delbridge concluded, "I guess I don't have too many expectations other than the hope that the music inspires others as it has inspired me."
