Music
Brian Franklin is a prolific Americana/Indie-rock singer-songwriter and lead guitar player, co-writer of the critically-aclaimed rock opera, “The Rat Opera” (the Miami Herald called “tuneful and clever” and likened it to “The Who’s Tommy performed by the Pixies”), was once named the Miami New Times’ Best Acoustic Performer, and has collaborated with and/or served as a lead guitarist to Diane Ward, Dean Feilds, Fernando Perdomo, Jack Shawde, and many more. Billboard Magazine singled out his “introspective lyrics and affecting vocal style,” while Miami New Times noted his “full, raspy vocals” and the “rich, subtle expressiveness” of his songwriting. XS Magazine praised a “polished, passionate delivery” in which his voice “hits every peak and valley,” and The Next Flash called that “somewhat raspy voice” a “soothing, hypnotic instrument,” admiring the “blinding clarity” he brings to his craft. To Ink 19, his delivery is simply “soulful and passionate” — a perfect soundtrack for finding joy in dark times.
Billboard Magazine singled out his “introspective lyrics and affecting vocal style,” while Miami New Times noted his “full, raspy vocals” and the “rich, subtle expressiveness” of his songwriting. XS Magazine praised a “polished, passionate delivery” in which his voice “hits every peak and valley,” and The Next Flash called that “somewhat raspy voice” a “soothing, hypnotic instrument,” admiring the “blinding clarity” he brings to his craft. To Ink 19, his delivery is simply “soulful and passionate” — a perfect soundtrack for finding joy in dark times.
Franklin’s most ambitious achievement is The Rat Opera (2009), a rock opera about producer and noise rock pioneer Rat Bastard (Frank Falestra) he created with Rob Elba of The Holy Terrors. The project yielded a recorded soundtrack and two sold-out theatrical performances, and drew some of the strongest notices of Brian’s career. The Broward/Palm Beach New Times hailed it as “a masterpiece… an engaging tale within the body of emotionally charged songs,” and the Sun Sentinel praised its “impressive collection of songs,” “insistently melodic” throughout. Songs such as “Ballad of the Rat” and “All Your Tone Is Wrong” remain highlights of the recorded soundtrack.
Brian, with his wife Nicole, moved to Destin from Los Angeles in late 2025, and he recently released two stark new singles, Independence Eve and Every Excruciating Time. Over the course of his musical adventures, he’s written over 150 songs.
Have a listen to some of his work, below.