Born and raised in the small town of Brownsville, TX, Mitch Bradford discovered music at a young age and immersed himself in the sounds of Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell and others. The simplistic, warm nature of their lyrical styles and composition eventually inspired him to start writing his own material about 15 years ago. Songwriting became his passion. Though music was always his first love, Mitch accepted a full-time position with tech giant Google and continued writing songs on the side. His job responsibilities required him to spend a lot of time working in California. While biking with a friend one Saturday morning in scenic Monterey, CA, Mitch had an epiphany where it all made sense. During the ride along the coast, he found himself soaking in the essence of California – the people, the warmth, the tinge of salt in the air, the seals sunbathing on rocks nearby. In that moment he was overcome with an intuitive feeling that California was where he was meant to be. He made his dreams become a reality and left his full-time gig to pursue his lifetime-gig: music.
Fast forward two years later, Mitch teamed up with Grammy Award-Winning producer Matt Ross-Spang (Chris Isaak, Jason Isbell, Zac Brown) to write and record his debut album. With sessions in Memphis, TN but drawing inspiration from his new west coast home, Mitch sought out a classic ‘California country’ feel – something that hearkens back to the height of 1970s folk-rock ‘Laurel Canyon Sound’ of the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and others – but with a modern twist. After recording the songs in just 4 days, the result is a 10 track collection fit be the soundtrack of a long drive up the California coast or a weekend away in the mountains. The first single “Love Is Kind” showcases the easy-going sound that Mitch was striving for. The twangy hooks and heartfelt lyrics stick around long after the songs final chords. Mitch Bradford plans to release his new album Love Is Kind in October 2018 and support it with tour dates around the country.
Glide is very proud to premiere Love Is Kind in its entirety (below), an album of quiet strength that explores the earthy soul of this distinct singer-songwriter. Like David Gray and Ray Lamontagne, Bradford sings with a warm vibrant tenor that is both captivating that can make a passerby listener an immediate fan with its equally engaging nods to soul and classic rock.
The record is called Love Is Kind but could’ve been called gradations of love. Each song explores love from a different angle: good, bad, hard, easy, fun. It’s hopeful. But it no longer belongs to me. It’s yours. And I hope you’re able to connect with it in some way. And it brings some joy to your life,” says Bradford.
