Jarrod Bramson

Jarrod Bramson

Loss hits a Port Townsend music family

Jarrod Bramson remembered for fundraising, lyrics

PORT TOWNSEND — Jarrod Bramson’s ties to the Jefferson County music scene ran deep.

He played guitar with his wife, Emily Madden, in the popular group the Solvents. He was a DJ for local radio station KPTZ and a host for open mic nights at two different establishments.

And whenever a friend needed anything — a place to record music, a bed to sleep on, an extra cord to plug in for a show — Bramson didn’t hesitate to say yes, say those who knew him.

Bramson, 43, died last week of an apparent drug overdose, according to the Port Townsend Police Department. A group of about two dozen of his closest friends have been together ever since they learned of his death at Jefferson Healthcare hospital on March 27.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Adam Michael Kelly, also of Port Townsend, is facing 10 charges in connection with drugs, manufacturing and the intent to deliver, including controlled substances homicide in connection with the case.

Bramson leaves behind 19-year-old twin daughters Aurora and Ana in addition to Madden and her daughter, Rosemary Carey, 18. Madden said they got together in a “Brady Bunch” way with children from previous relationships.

“They were everything to us,” Madden said.

While they didn’t have children together, Bramson and Madden often would pretend the young daughter of Oceanna Van Lelyweld was their own.

Van Lelyweld, one of eight close-knit friends who met Tuesday morning in a recording studio on the third floor of the Port Townsend Post Office, said she had known Bramson since he was 13.

“The girls are miraculous and talented, much like their dad,” fellow musician Seth Raymond said.

Bramson and Madden often were inseparable. Shannon Summers, another friend who shared memories, called their connection “the most epic love story ever.

“The way they loved each other taught me the kind of love I wanted in my life, and I have that today,” Summers said.

Madden said she and Bramson owned the ninth house ever built in Port Townsend, a building constructed in 1873. She said Bramson had converted a parlor into a recording room and learned how to put all the pieces of music together by himself.

While Bramson worked as an assistant editor for Feral House publishing company in Port Townsend and Madden works as a massage therapist, they also would play shows locally and abroad. Madden said they toured Europe twice and also performed in Mexico and Hawaii.

“If we went on vacation, we would find somewhere to play,” Madden said.

The recording studio was used by many musicians who sought Bramson’s knowledge and guidance.

“What he was creating was a lighthouse for other musicians,” Raymond said. “He would play with them and help them refine their performance. It was like, ‘It’s you and me, and I’m going to push you.’ ”

Their home also provided a safe space for many of their friends.

“Three of us have lived with them,” said Ruby Fitch, the music director at KPTZ.

Many of their other friends worked together at Pygmy Boats in Port Townsend.

And whenever anyone asked if Bramson and Madden would play a benefit concert to raise money for a cause — when Van Lelyweld’s daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, for example — the answer was yes.

One of Bramson’s favorites was for the Port Townsend High School choir so he could help put money into music programs, Madden said.

New album

Madden said she and Bramson recently finished an album called “Memory Shreds,” which she hopes will be made into a vinyl record. It also will be available soon on Spotify, SoundCloud and iTunes, she said.

“It’s going to be a piece of art,” Madden said.

Others, like Adam Karagas, appreciated Bramson’s ability to write lyrics. Madden said Bramson felt many musicians no longer are writing meaningful phrases to go along with their music.

“He was idolized here,” Karagas said. “Musically, I admired him.”

Fundraiser

Teresa Verraes, a family friend who founded the The Boiler Room, a now-closed coffeehouse for young people, saw many fundraisers Bramson and Madden put on as the Solvents.

When she learned of Bramson’s death, she started a GoFundMe campaign that had raised nearly $36,000 in four days as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

It had surpassed both an initial $10,000 goal and a second mark of $30,000.

“I think it’s because they have given and given and given,” Verraes said.

The funds will cover costs beyond end-of-life necessities and help Madden and the girls, according to the campaign.

“One of our friends said it best,” Verraes said, “‘I guess if you don’t have it, your friends become your insurance.’”

________

Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Facilities district for pool paused

Jefferson County does not receive grant

From left, Port Angeles school board members Sarah Methner, Mary Hebert, Stan Willams, Superintendent Marty Brewer, Kirsten Williams, Sandy Long and Nolan Duce, the district’s director of maintenance, turn the first shovel of dirt on Saturday at the location of the new construction just north of the present Stevens Middle School. An estimated crowd of 150 attended the ceremonial ground breaking. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles School District breaks ground at new middle school

Building is expected to open to students in 2027

Family displaced following house fire

A Clallam County family has been displaced due a… Continue reading

Two investigated for burglarizing home

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals… Continue reading

Beach cleanups set for Earth Day weekend

Beach cleanups, a seed exchange, seed planting and music will mark Earth… Continue reading

Easter egg hunts scheduled for Saturday

Easter activities, including egg hunts and pictures with the Easter bunny, are… Continue reading

Four Quileute Tribal School students take a salmon offering into the ocean as part of the annual Welcoming the Whales ceremony at First Beach in La Push on Friday. (Christi Baron/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Welcoming the Whales

On Friday, Quileute Tribal School students performed the annual Welcoming the Whales… Continue reading

Former USAID worker Miguel Reabold, shown with a colleague in Honduras in 2018. (Miguel Reabold)
USAID worker fears damage

Reabold worries about relationships

No flight operations scheduled

There will be no field carrier landing practice operations for… Continue reading

Caro Tchannie and her daughter Lola Hatch, 9, of Tulallip try a long string of beads at Squatchcon on Thursday at the Vern Burton Community Center gym in Port Angeles. Kevin VanDinter of Port Angeles was one of 60 vendors at the four day event, which continues through Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Squatchcon underway

Caro Tchannie and her daughter Lola Hatch, 9, of Tulallip try a… Continue reading

Capital budgets include Peninsula

Millions in state funds earmarked

Mike Chapman.
Chapman asks not to employ legislative privilege

State senator removes an exemption to Public Records Act