Jarrod Paul Bramson, RIP

Jarrod at the Ball of Wax 17 show
(photo by Jody Poorwill)

As you have probably heard by now if you are connected with independent music in greater western Washington and are on any kind of social media, we lost a dear friend last week with the death of Jarrod Paul Bramson. Jarrod was an integral figure in the Port Townsend music scene, and singer/songwriter of the band Solvents, along with his wife Emily Madden.

Words pretty much always fail me at times like this. Death, especially sudden death, is horrible and devastating, and grief is complicated and insidious. Suffice it to say this loss will continue to reverberate across our extended musical community for a long time. I’ll pretty much let the music speak for itself from here on out.

I first met Jarrod in person at the release show for Ball of Wax 17, the first volume on which Solvents appeared, with their tune “Cozy Mo Came Home” (which has been stuck in my head on repeat for a while now).

Solvents at Ball of Wax 47.
Photo by Melissa Wax, courtesy Ballard VOX.

I didn’t see or hear much from Solvents for a while, although we’d occasionally play shows together (or talk about playing shows together). They released a phenomenal album, Modern Dystopia, setting aside the sweet acoustic tunes for a loud, raucous band sound. Jarrod and Emily were always game, it seemed, to hop on a ferry and head to Seattle to play a show for a small audience and little (if any) pay. I always loved to see and hear them play together, and to catch up between sets. They clearly shared a deep connection, both personally and musically. They were (and I know Emily still is) funny, warm, kind humans.

Solvents finally returned with “Song for President Trump,” which was seemingly tailor-made  for Volume 47.

And soon after that, they returned for Volume 49 with the slow, gorgeous roll of “Sea.” “As long as you still love me I am free,” he sings. “Hold my hand and jump into the sea.” (And now I’m crying again. Fuck.)

Jarrod, we miss you. Emily, we love you. Everyone else: Go buy their music and/or contribute to this Gofundme to help Emily figure out where she goes from here.