Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucy Allen Bruno.
Hi Lucy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Lucy Allen Bruno! AKA “Brune Goon” I am 29 years old. I am the lead singer of the local rock band “Her Familiar” I grew up in Garfield Heights / Maple Heights (southeast Cleveland) I started gaining an interest in music as early as 7 years old. I grew up asking my parents what we were listening to on the radio all the time. I remember constantly asking “who is this” and “what kind of music is this” plus my father was a local jam rat, always playing in and out of bands. A local celebrity if you will. The man is absolutely wild and I do thank him for my initial interest in music but that’s as far as that goes. My family was always poor so I never had a lot of nice things. So naturally and rebelliously I started playing bass guitar. I kind of used music to get away from the harshness of reality. I didn’t think of it like that while it was happening though. I cannot remember why I chose the bass guitar though it just seemed so natural and I started grinding. I remember playing so much on a daily basis. It’s like all I wanted to do, I started weaning away from classic rock when I was introduced to heavy metal. I knew right then and there what I wanted to do with my life. The first CD I ever bought with my own money was Alice Cooper which may be where the heaviness started. My catalog grew bigger and bigger as I went through high school. I hated going to school, I was always picked on especially by people in my grade. Music really is a good way to get away from that negativity. Bullying also fueled my deep dive into underground music. the local metal head kids were almost trying to out heavy one another. It seemed like the top genres were “deathcore” and “grindcore” and I was obsessed! I also kept getting encouraged to just play guitar so I formed a band with some good friends and it was a noisy delight. I used to record our music with a cheap Yamaha piano, an an old box computer with a headset mic, and a cassette recording system looking back on this makes me realize how determined I was to make it sound as good as I could with what little I have. I used my big toe to play the “kick drum” while playing drums for the recordings. We were recording a whole song for our myspace but we never got to put it on. We had a physical tape for the song and it was the gnarliest thing we ever heard of course, when we went to hear it back in my friend’s cassette player in his Pontiac sunbird the player ate the tape halfway through and we never heard it again.
It wasn’t till my early 20’s that I realized a really had some skill. I kind of stepped away from the metal scene and started diving into other genres. I played guitar for a few local rock groups, reggae, friends’ projects, and even a southern gospel act! but my heart remained with heavy music. Even to this day. It was 2016 and I was at the peak of my guitar playing. I started a metalcore band with my good friend on drums and I was writing the most technical music I have ever written and everyone was impressed that I never bothered to learn traditional music. I do not know sheet music or chord names. I can tell you what sounds good, and of course, I can get it by reading guitar tabs. We got serious with this band and we named it “of endings” it was a lot of fun but we never got past finishing our studio recordings. Our singer had a drug battle and we didn’t realize the severity until later in the winter. 2016 was the best year of my life in terms of fun and partying and playing shows! it was truly an experience and I always tip my hat when I think of it. So, I started to realize I wasn’t gonna wait forever and I want to start my own band (and this is where the fun begins) The drummer decided to pursue other musical endeavors and our singer sought-after help in Florida. so, I decided I was gonna go solo.
It was February 2017 and I was encouraged to sing. I had always dabbled in playing my acoustic and singing but might I add that it’s very hard. so, I decided to write a song on guitar. I was living with a good friend of mine and he supported me and my dreams and he really believed I had something special. He was there for my first sessions in recording my first ever solo song. The music was ready and it was time to write lyrics. I started writing this song about a relationship that I had with somebody and of course, it was like a typical song about a girl. I wasn’t picking up on signs if she liked me or not and things were weird so I wanted to write about that! My vocal recording date was set for April 10th and I was ready. I and my friend were very excited so we decided to go on vacation. Tragedy would strike and it started right before we left. I went to a concert and got my nose broken in a mosh pit that I wasn’t even moshing in. I had to get immediate surgery, delaying our trip My, I and my good friend proceeded to vacation literally right after my hospital release, I don’t even remember how we got down there. We had a few good days on the beach on Sanibel Island, Florida. Until his sudden and tragic passing. Which shifted my entire life after that. So, I downward spiraled and drank myself to sleep almost every night. I began experimenting with different kinds of drugs and really did a number on myself. Months later I got the green light to come back and finish what I started in the studio.
It was November and I rewrote the lyrics of my soon-to-be single. I reflected on the loss of my dear friend and I wanted to capitalize on something raw and emotional. I waited so long to finish the song and it was finally time to let loose everything that was bottling up. I got the track back that following December and I remember hearing it for the first time. I couldn’t stop crying to save my life. It was truly a beautiful moment and after hearing the finished product I knew I had to start a band to follow up on this. So, I sought to do just so. I struggled to find members to join me for a long while pretty much until 2019. I got paired up with our (current drummer) Brian and we tried people out left and right. Another good friend of mine (Zavodny) joined us shortly after, we also stumbled upon the bassist (Mikey), and just like that, we’re ready to record the next single!
It was February 2020 we first recorded another song “2012” and we finally decided on the game plan for the band. We decided on the name “her familiar” We also planned to release the song I wrote years ago in March 2020 the song was named “praise” It was a big move and we were all excited until the welcoming of the covid-19 shutdown. literally derailed us among other musicians and bands. literally, everyone suffered. I lost my job and had no income until the whole PUA thing came out. When all seemed lost for Her Familiar a new light shined when I came into all that back pay. All though it wasn’t the most responsible decision I decided to record an album! We worked very hard on the album and everyone who knew me personally thought I was doing things ass-backward. like most bands play shows first and get their name out there. I wanted to capitalize online during the pandemic. This band has struggled with its embers literally until just recently.
We just played our first show on May 27th @ the maple grove and we plan on climbing higher and higher. I’ve put so much of myself into this art, into this project. It definitely doesn’t stop here. This band and its message mean everything to me. It is my life and I will continue to make sacrifices and do what I have to do for success. I personally aim to put Cleveland back on the map for its rock and metal scene. We do house the rock and roll hall of fame!
Patience is vital here, I know I will achieve my goals soon enough. I will make a name for myself starting here in Cleveland, and after my poetic takeover. I will aim for the rest of Ohio.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth as sandpaper! My biggest struggle has always been with myself. With Music? Definitely finding the right team members. Chemistry is everything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the frontman of the local Cleveland rock band “Her Familiar” I sing and I specialize in lyricism
I am known for rocking out! A good chunk of people knows what I am good for.
I am proud of my endurance and patience I feel like I’ve been through a lot and continue to go through a lot all the while maintaining a steady income, my family, my household, and my relationships. and taking on the leadership role of this band
I like to believe overall what sets me apart is I am a natural entertainer, I probably would have fit in really well in the ’50s
My darker themes, my not-so-mainstream approach to my writing.
What’s next?
I plan on releasing more musical content for people to dive into. Music Videos, behind-the-scenes footage. Live videos. etc. etc.
We are looking forward to growth. we aim to expand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/herfamiliar/her-familiar
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herfamiliar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herfamiliar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6c5Ek9HA6o_q_hAji38rjg
Image Credits
Anthony Rencz
Brian Andel
Daniel Pavilonis
Alex Loeffler
