Brent Funkhouser – Homegrown (2026)
While some people keep a diary or journal detailing everything about themselves, some people use music to capture the heart and moments of their journeys. I’m a diary girl with books that go back decades, keeping memories of first loves and broken hearts to first apartments, new jobs, and the emotional side of, well, everything. As amusing as it is moving, this is my journey through life with all its turns, twists and lessons. Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Brent Funkhouser lets us into his life with his album, Homegrown.
Who is Brent Funkhouser? A brief history: Funkhouser hails from Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, where he discovered his passion for songwriting, and he took that creativity to build a blend of Americana that is honest, intimate and engaging. Now residing in the DC Metro area, Funkhouser has built an international following with critical acclaim, extensive touring over the years, and founded his own independent record label, Red Moon Recordings.
Now, back to Homegrown!
Funkhouser’s sophomore album, Homegrown, is a collective of fan-favourites and new original tracks as he “promises to invoke the spirit of home – handmade with love”. Opening with a tender love song, ‘Apple Blossom Time’ is a commemorative ode to his wedding day when he was married in an apple orchard – sweet, isn’t it? Funkhouser’s acoustic guitar strums atop simple percussion while heavier guitars clip at the arrangement, adding a rock vibe to Americana joy. Featuring Rebecca Berlin on vocals, this is a tender, heart-warming declaration of love.
Romance and love hearts open Homegrown, but there’s far more beneath the surface as Funkhouser turns inward, looking at raw, intimate, personal emotions. From songs like ‘Hearts & Minds’ (featuring Emily Woodhull) where Funkhouser looks at his diagnosis of clinical anxiety, to the scars of a childhood friend taking his life in ‘Nighttime Song’, to ‘Mary, Keep The Faith’ when he explores his admiration of a friend who ”…keeps believing unconditionally that tomorrow will be better”; each song is a moment in time beautifully captured in Americana-driven sounds.
Inward, yes, much of Homegrown is a reflection of thoughts, opinions, feelings and vulnerabilities lurking in our minds and souls; however, there is as much looking outward as inside. ‘Everything’s Fine’ rises from frustration of the “environmental catastrophe and mass extinction that goes on around us”, while ‘Blackberries’ embraces the beauty of nature and its impact on one’s character. ‘Red Moon’ is a song that has matured with time and represents how “a good idea hits you before you really have the means to make it reality” – truthfully, this is probably my favourite song because of its evolution and amusing lyrics.
Different facets of life, but all looked at from a universal, constant, timeless sweep of Americana music. With each track, a guitar holds your hand and helps you along. With every song, Funkhouser’s warm, honey-soaked vocals act like an old friend sipping a cup of tea at the kitchen table. Intimacy and personality poured into full-bodied, poignant tunes, Homegrown weaves that honesty of country and folk storytelling in a distinctive brand of Americana tones.
All in all, I find Homegrown a comforting 30 minutes of music. I wasn’t even aware of Brent Funkhouser earlier this month, and now I’m a fan. Highly recommended.
Find out more about Brent Funkhouser on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud and Spotify.
