Dusty Stray

Hailing from Amsterdam, Dusty Stray features the alt-folk repertoire of Texan expat Jonathan Brown. He delves into universal themes of heartbreak, loneliness and death with a twisted sense of humor and a soothing touch. The songs are firmly rooted in folk and Americana (due to Brown's Texan upbringing and musicianship) but always reach out to new horizons, be they through toy instrument accompaniment, electronica, space echoes or outsider art. The musical roots of his forefathers are combined with sounds and visions of the future. Brown was born in Taiwan in the Summer of Love. Grew up in Texas as a preacher's son. Raised on songs about death and resurrection. Discovered vast archive of early American folk music from the 20s and 30s in college. Began writing his own songs. Moved to Austin where he first performed his music. Traveled with guitar through Central America where he met a Belgian woman and followed her to Europe. Met a Spanish woman. Moved to Barcelona. Formed bluegrass band Hackers, psychedelic rock band Slop and freak folk duo Humo. Met a Dutch woman. Moved to the Netherlands and began to focus on Dusty Stray. He remains there today (with the same Dutch woman). Brown has collaborated with many artists through the years including Kramer, Ken Stringfellow, JB Meijers, Janne Schra, Jon Tarifa, Meredith Wilder, Gert-Jan Blom and Stuart Cullen (Pilote/ VeldHans). The seventh Dusty Stray album "Home" (a collaboration with Xan Tyler) is out now. Photo: Christopher Hogge