Brooks’ ‘sound’ grows on album

“I’ve been shoveling out from some snow,” he explains during a recent phone interview. “And we’re ready to get on the road and perform some of our new music.”

Taylor is the bassist for Chicago-based blues outfit, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound. The band, which also includes JC Brooks, Billy Bungeroth, Kevin Marks and Andy Rosenstein, will release its new album, “Howl” on May 21.

Its show in Albuquerque marks the first time the band will perform in New Mexico.

“Though we haven’t played there, we’ve visited the area,” he explains. “My parents are both teachers at the Menaul School and we stopped for a bit last year and did a presentation for the kids in a music class.”

	JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound With 4OnTheFloor, Pure X WHEN: 9 p.m Tuesday, March 19 WHERE: Low Spirits Bar & Stage, 2823 Second NW HOW MUCH: $7 at www.holdmyticket.com or 886-1251

The band toured extensively last year supporting its 2011 album, “Want More.” In late fall, the quintet headed north to Montreal to begin work on “Howl.”

Taylor says the album’s sound is a lot different than “Want More.”

“It’s sort of a new direction and things were growing exponentially,” he says. “The writing process became more collaborative and JC has had a lot more input on this album. Along with the album being more lyrical, we also tackle darker issues.”

Taylor says being in the band is like dating four other people. He says the band has endured ups and downs and become stronger.

“We’re also ready to get back on the road and try these new songs out.” he says. “We’ve been off tour for a couple months and need to get back into the groove of things again.”

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound have been together for six years.

“This is the first band for me that just got a real reaction from people,” he explains. “Our first shows were drawing 100 people and we were seeing less and less of our friends and relatives. These were people who were finding us and that was cool.”