When Brandon Clark’s latest album, Burn, was released in early 2014, it was the album his most loyal fans had been waiting for. Much like previous Brand Clark Band releases, Burn provides the near perfect balance of Clark’s heartfelt songwriting, a few country and honky tonk influences, and a rock & roll heart. This time, however, Clark’s songwriting takes center stage more than ever. Sure, he called in a few friends and longtime associates to help him record the album, but the disc represents Clark as a solo artist in control of his career more than anything else he has released to date.

Maybe the most common question Clark hears asked of his music is what is it? At his core, Clark is a singer/songwriter, painting portrait of the characters around him: hard working men & women living life, experiencing love and heartbreak, doing what it takes to get by, and holding on to hope for the next day. Musically, there’s a touch of country in the mix, magnified by the honky-tonks and bars that Clark has played on a near nightly basis for over a decade now. When the guitars get turned up and Clark lets loose, however, it all boils down to good, old fashioned, blue collar rock & roll.

When asking Clark himself, he acknowledges his country and Americana influences, but also refers back to his college days playing in alt-rock cover bands. “That’s just how I was raised,” he will tell you. “I was always more of a rock kid and I think that still influences whatever I do.”

Part of the reason that audiences relate to Clark and his songs so well is because of the honesty that rings through in each of them. Clark is just as hard working and focused as the characters he sings about, having built his audience and success by playing night after night in bars all over Oklahoma, as well as touring the region, taking his music into Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas.