The Mercury Lounge New York, NY
Contact: bari@pressherepublicity.com
Web: tazguitar.com
Players: Taz, guitar, vocals; Matthew Godfrey, keys, backing vocals, playback; Kendall Everett, drums; Nathaniel Coben, bass; Dylan Niederauer, bass
Wowing audiences at the Lower East Side’s Mercury Lounge, Brandon Niederauer (AKA Taz), showcased his fierce guitar chops to a sold-out crowd. The performance was an opportunity for him to roll out some new material while taking center stage as a performing singer/songwriter.
Taz’s backstory is inspiring and key to his success at such an early age. Deciding when he was just eight years old that the guitar was his destiny, he picked it up and has not put it down since. He originated the role of “Zack” in Broadway’s School of Rock, and has either opened for or shared the stage with members of the Allman Brothers, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga, and Jon Batiste (to name a few) including appearances on the Stephen Colbert show. In addition to his music success, Taz is a recent Yale graduate.
He earned the name “Taz,” as one childhood friend explained, as a reference to the Tasmanian Devil, a complex cartoon character described as having a ferocious nature tempered by sweetness, a direct reference to his playing style.
Kicking off the set with “Jump,” a spirited up-tempo number with a catchy chorus and an engaging groove, was comprised of one repetitive line, “jump for you,” making it instantly memorable. Picking up the acoustic guitar for a more mellow approach, the audience experienced a softer side of Taz. The set was varied but each song highlighted some aspect of Taz’s guitar wizardry. At times one is reminded of Prince or Jimi Hendrix but a bit more toned down in stage antics. He has enlisted a top shelf band with a standout drummer where tight rhythms are key.
While most of the songs are guitar-driven, Taz’s vocals do rise to the occasion. Appearing comfortable and self-possessed, he is remarkably unassuming for a player of his caliber.
No longer just supporting a well-known performer, Taz is stepping into the limelight as an artist in his own right. As he continues to hone his songwriting, coupled with his incredible guitar talent, he is surely on the path to big things. Taz will be releasing his next original single “Running After You Again,” in September, with more music to follow. In addition to touring with Jon Batiste this fall, Taz also has a handful of solo shows scheduled.
