Brett Dennen initially garnered attention -- rapidly and organically -- back in 2004, when he came out of the gate with great folk songs that were deeply humanist, driven by emotion but laced with political undertones. His innocently disarming voice and awkward mannerisms didn't hurt either and his charm hasn't escaped his fellow singer-songwriters. In fact, in the past couple of years he's been joined by a single-file line of noteworthy accomplices: he's sung duets with Mandy Moore and Natalie Merchant, been backed by members of ALO and Jack Johnson's touring band and was even paraded around Australia by the John Butler Trio.

Showing no signs of slowing down, Dennen recently collaborated with Jason Mraz and Brazilian ex-pats Forro in the Dark to record new, Brazilian-influenced interpretations of songs from his 2007 album 'Hope for the Hopeless.' "Working with Forro took my songs around the world and back again and has brought me so much inspiration for song writing," Dennen tells Spinner.

In addition, he's about to embark on a tour with jam rock's reigning goddess, Grace Potter.

"I'm really excited about this tour because I think it's going to be a little more rocking than tours I've done in the past," Dennen says. "Grace really knows how to rock it.

That's true. Another gal who really knows how to rock it, Brandi Carlile, will join the bill in Seattle on Dec. 6 for a concert benefiting homeless charity First Place. And on New Year's Eve, Dennen will rock it all the way into 2010 when he partners back up with longtime friends ALO at the Fox in Oakland.

So things are looking good for the redheaded boy from the redwoods. For further proof, check out these two tracks from the 'Live Session EP,' which is currently on sale exclusively through iTunes.

Listen to 'Blessed' feat. Forro in the Dark


Listen to 'Long Road to Forgiveness' feat. Jason Mraz

Brett Dennen Tour Dates
on TourTracker.com