Bruce Engler is back with a message for the world. The New Jersey singer, songwriter and guitarist has appeared on The Static Dive many times before, both for his solo work and a member of Downtown Mystic‘s band. This summer Bruce will release a new solo album. In advance of that record he has dropped a brand new single, and this time he brought along some heavyweight friends for the ride.
“Way to Know” is the latest single from Bruce Engler, released worldwide to all major streaming services on April 16, 2021. Bruce’s band on the track includes some Hall of Fame level talent. The song is a collaboration with his Sha-La Music label mate and sometime band leader Downtown Mystic (a/k/a Robert Allen). The rhythm section is composed of New Jersey Rock & Roll royalty. Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street bassist Gary Tallent and drummer Max Weinberg lend their legendary skills to this upbeat rocker with a message.
Lyrically “Way to Know” is an honest assessment of the state of the world and a call for humanity to evolve. Bruce looks around at the poverty, despair and inequities around us and thinks, there must be a better way. The song points to the greed and selfishness inherent in our culture as the driving forces which have led us to the mess we’re in. This is the testimony of a rational man observing an irrational world.
Engler juxtaposes the song’s serious subject matter and heavy lyrics with an upbeat Pop/Rock groove. Musically the track is centered around an infectiously catchy rolling guitar riff. With a timeless hook, a bit of 80’s Rock groove and Bruce’s signature Classic/Blues Rock guitar stylings the song catches listeners and pulls them into its universally relevant story.
Watch the lyric video for “Way to Know” below. You can also hear the track on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. We had the chance to chat with Bruce and Robert about the new song. Check out their answers to our 6 questions. And follow the links at the end of this article to connect with Bruce Engler and Sha-La Music. Get on their socials and get in the loop on the forthcoming album “One More Chance,” due June 11, 2021.
6 Questions With Bruce Engler and Downtown Mystic
Where are you from?
Bruce Engler: We’re both New Jersey boys
How long have you been making music?
BE I built my own guitar when I was 7 and have been at it since then.
DTM: I was 12 when I started and that’s alooong time ago. lol
Who are the musicians involved in your project?
DTM: On Way To Know we have two of the top musicians around—Max Weinberg & Garry Tallent from Bruce Springsteen’s HoF E Street Band! I worked with them on my latest release: DownTown Mystic On E Street Deluxe.
BE: Besides Max & Garry there’s another great rhythm section on the One More Chance album we have coming out in June—Steve Holley & Paul Page from Ian Hunter’s Rant Band. There’s also PJ Farley from Trixter on bass and Rich Scannella, who’s played with Bon Jovi, on drums for a couple of tracks.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
BE: Mine have to be Eric Clapton & Duane Allman.
DTM: For me it’s definitely The Beatles.
What inspired you to create this project?
BE: I’ve been working with DownTown Mystic since the inception of the project and also doing my solo work, so at some point it was inevitable that this would happen.
DTM: Bruce has been a longtime collaborator of mine and I’ve always loved his songs. It was just a matter of timing when I could get him to do this project. The One More Chance album is a great record and I’m so happy we finally got to make it.
What are your plans for the future (musically)?
Bruce Engler: A few months ago I released The Landing, along with all the promotion that’s involved. Now there’s the Way To Know single and the upcoming One More Chance album to promote, so I think I’ll take some time off after we’re done with it. When I do go back to making music I’ll probably record and release some singles. They’re easier to do than albums. 🙂
DTM: I’ve had a really busy time since this past November with 3 releases of catalog material and now Bruce’s record coming out. But recently I’ve been thinking about recording a new album and have started to get the songs together for it. I have 5 or 6 new songs written and that always gets me wanting to go into the studio.