Brett Dennen has spent more than two decades writing songs about the messy, beautiful business of being human. On September 19, the acclaimed singer-songwriter will bring that perspective to the East End when he performs at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center as part of his Art Is Life tour.
Dennen, who is also an accomplished watercolor artist, incorporates his original paintings into the live show, pairing paintings with songs in an immersive experience that explores the connection between the things we create and the lives we live. Says Dennen in a social media post: “It has been so excellent to share this ‘evening with’ style concert with so many of you already, that we wanted to bring it to more of you wonderful people. We’re bringing art, music, performer, and audience together for something unique and really special. This is probably going to be the last Art is Life tour, so if you haven’t had a chance to come, this is your last chance.”
It is a fitting concept for an artist whose music has always lived somewhere between introspection and optimism. Since releasing his self-titled debut in 2004, the California native has built a loyal following with songs including “Ain’t No Reason,” “Wild Child,” “Comeback Kid (That’s My Dog)” and “See the World.” He has toured alongside artists including John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and G. Love & Special Sauce, scored multiple Top 10 AAA radio hits and had his music featured on television, including “Parenthood” and “About a Boy.”
Now, Dennen is bringing a more personal chapter of his work to the stage. His latest album, “If It Takes Forever,” was shaped by the loss of his father in 2023. Rather than shy away from grief, Dennen used songwriting as a way to process the loss and reflect on the larger questions it raised about family, purpose and what makes a life meaningful. The resulting album blends acoustic guitars, folk-rock, Americana and blues with the warmth and honesty that have long defined his music.
For Dennen, music and visual art have become two sides of the same creative process. That idea is at the heart of Art Is Life, gives audiences a glimpse into the visual world behind Dennen’s music while still delivering the songs that have defined his career. The show combines original artwork, storytelling, and live performance in a format that feels intimate, personal, and distinctly different from a conventional concert.
“Brett Dennen has a rare ability to make a room feel both intimate and expansive,” said WHBPAC Marketing Director Heather Draskin. “His music has always been about connection, and Art Is Life takes that idea even further by bringing his visual art into the experience. It’s a really special opportunity for our audience to see another side of an artist they already know and love.”
Brett Dennen: Art Is Life takes place Saturday, September 19, at 8 PM at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. Tickets can be purchased at whbpac.org.