GET 2 KNOW THE ARTIST :: BRAT PITT

Photo by Sidney Young

We sat down with newly added Manor Records artist Brat Pitt (Cole Simmons) to chat about his recent release of new single “Wallow”. Cole is from the Springfield, MO area so we thought it might be best to help us KC folk to get to know him and his project.

Shaun : Your project "Brat Pitt" is new to the music scene but you are not. Can you give us a little musical background yourself of what all projects you have played in as well as a little more about this new project?

Cole : I have played a songwriting role in previous projects I have been in but never one that I was the one singing the words - mainly Out of Bloom at the beginning. Over the past couple of years I have been acting as a supporting role in bands. Broadwood, Buckle Up Baby, Joe Misterovich, Mouton and some others here and there. All of which are fronted by amazing songwriters who I have learned so much from.

Shaun : Your recent single "Wallow" released last week and it is grooving. How did you go about recording it? Did you have any other musicians play on the track or was this tune solely recorded by you?

Cole : I recorded all the instruments in my bedroom myself on my computer besides the bass guitar. My friend Grady Drugg wrote and recorded his bass part from his bedroom studio in KC. Grady is an amazing solo musician who plays in Importer Exporter and also recently Dreamgirl. My friend Ephraim McFarland mixed and mastered the song, a once Springfield native, now in KC. He has done engineer work for Brian Bulger, Hudson Freeman, and his own solo project Two:eighteen.

Shaun : How did you get acquainted with the Manor Records and Kansas City scene in general?

Cole : I met Shaun at a Momma’s Boy show in Springfield a couple years ago and it spawned a great friendship between him and I, as well as the rest of the Momma’s Boys. We have all managed to support each other anytime we have played in a city where another is at and just shows the beauty of community the DIY scene can spawn. With KC being so close and a large number of mutuals being transplants here and there, it’s just natural we collided and I am very happy about it.

Shaun : Tell us KC folk a little more about the Springfield music scene. Favorite venues, bands, events?

Cole : Springfield has our foundation, our rock, the Outland Complex. I have been attending and playing shows there since I was in High School and is truly a staple in our scene. We can always rely on it to make shows happen. There are always house venues popping up here and there. As of the past year The Salty Spittoon has been gracious with hosting some great shows. I have played and been at some really awesome gigs at the best bar in town Golden Girl Rum Club. The cutest bookstore in town Bookmarx is hospitable to shows from time to time. My favorite Springfield bands are the Reacharounds, Carley Sunn, and Dream Ritual (RIP). Push and Pull fest which is a biannual showcase curated by Springfield DIY label, Push and Pull Records - always a good time. 

Shaun : Manor Records is teaming up with Tape Dad for a tape release of Brat Pitt. Tell us more about that and a little about Arkansas tape label Tape Dad?

Cole : As stated before this is my first release on my own, but I have gotten tapes made in prior groups I have played in given that National Audio is in my hometown. It’s known that National Audio is one of the last major tape cassette manufacturers in the United States. National Audio is currently shut down due to COVID-19, so through the combined minds of Manor and Tape Dad we are going to be able to still make some physical art for people to have and hold. Tape Dad is based in Fayetteville, AR and is operated by my good friend Kurt who I have gotten to know over the past couple years playing shows and hanging around beautiful Hog Country. Tape Dad has put out some of my favorite regional releases and I am so happy to be a part of things. KC, Springfield, and Fayetteville are all homes to me so it just makes the release more special and I hope to do release shows for each city respectively. 

Shaun : Whats on your quarantine playlist that is a must add for our readers?

Cole : Crisman from Denton TX just put out their debut full length on Topshelf Records and it’s been on repeat. Been on a huge Rob Crow kick lately as well, his solo records and work with Pinback and Thingy are super solid. Genesis’ Duke album, Charley Pride’s Make Mine Country album, and Don Henley’s Building the Perfect Beast album also.

Shaun : Any thing you'd like to add?

Cole : I just wanna thank everyone that has checked out the single. There’s a lot of music to listen to and it’s cool to know people are listening to mine. Especially want to thank all those who have helped me so far whether you’re playing on the unreleased stuff or you had a hand in the “Wallow” video. Collaboration is everything. Thank you reading, thank you for listening. Cheers.

Check out that video below and stay tuned for more Brat Pitt!

Brat Pitt - “Wallow”

Interview by ::

Shaun Crowley

Manor Head Organizer

Manor Records gives 100% of article author rights to Shaun Crowley.