Brett Farkas is a solo artist, session guitarist/bassist, and music educator based in Los Angeles, CA. Having carved a distinct reputation for being a vigorous performer and a sharp instrumentalist, Brett has notably worked with Solomon Burke, Aimee Mann, the Motels, Rihanna, Princess (with Maya Rudolph), and he was an original touring and recording member of the band, Lord Huron, to which he’d received a Certified Gold Record for the guitar work played on the debut album, “Lonesome Dreams”. Brett has released three albums under the Rock ‘N Roll moniker, Boys School, and a string of multi-genre singles under his own name, landing airplay on the popular radio station, KCRW in Los Angeles.
Growing up outside of Detroit, Michigan, Brett became steeped in the Motor City’s revered musical lineage of Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock ‘N’ Roll, and Punk, where he’d learned from the local masters and began playing throughout the midwest. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2003, Brett has been an active and busy collaborator within the local scene and he has played around the world on the most prestigious stages like Montreux Jazz, Lollapalooza, Coachella, North Sea Jazz, Austin CIty Limits, Ravinia, Fuji Rock, Outside Lands, Antibes Jazz, Sasquatch Fest, and the Vienna Opera House.
Additionally, Brett has worked with Gaby Moreno, Andra Day, the Afro-Bowie Tribute with members of Fishbone, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Justin Warfiled (She Wants Revenge), and Saul Williams; Van Morrison, Zucchero, Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint), Martina McBride, Victor Wooten, Derico Watson, Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello & the Attractions), Mocky (Feist), Cody Chesnutt, Mozella, Narada Michael Walden, Anna Nallick, Calder Quartet, Katherine McPhee, Lenka, Shy Carter, Minnie Driver, Pomplamoose, Theo Katzman (Vulfpeck), Aaron Embry (Edward Sharpe), Spencer Day, the 88, Ruben Studdard, and T-Boz (TLC).
Brett’s guitar playing can be heard on the film scores, “No Hard Feelings”, with Jennifer Lawrence (Mychael Danna and Jessica Weiss), “the Way Way Back”, with Steve Carell, and “Burnt”, with Bradley Cooper (both by Rob Simonsen). He has appeared on TV’s “Dancing with the Stars”, “X-Factor”, “Good Morning America”, “the Kids Choice Awards” on Nickelodeon, and ads for Ernie Ball/Music Man StingRay instruments. Brett’s original music has been licensed for TV shows on CBS’ “Seal Team”, USA’s “Satisfaction”, and his co-write with Lord Huron, “She Lit A Fire”, was used for a national airing Hyundai ad and in the movie, “A Walk In the Woods”, with Robert Redford.