My name is Franklin Bruno. I write songs, and perform them with the Human Hearts and in other configurations. During the 1990s, I was one-third of the band Nothing Painted Blue, and have also released music under my own name, and in collaboration with various talented friends (Jenny Toomey, Wckr Spgt, The Mountain Goats). Some samples are available on the music page.

I also write criticism, poems, and academic work in philosophy and musicology. My two books are Armed Forces (criticism; Continuum Books [33 1/3 series], 2006), and The Accordion Repertoire (poetry; Edge Books, 2012). I am currently working on a book about bridges, middle eights, and breakdowns in (mostly American) popular music, to be published by Wesleyan University Press.

I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy from UCLA, am currently a lecturer at SUNY Purchase, and have previously taught at Pomona College, Northwestern University, and Bard College.

I was born and raised in the Inland Empire of Southern California. I now live in Jackson Heights, Queens, with my partner, actress/singer/sheet music archivist Bree Benton. I am pianist and musical director for her vaudevillian alter ego Poor Baby Bree.

Please feel free to contact me via the form on this page. If you have a book or recording to send me, my mailing address is 35-45 82nd St. #1, Jackson Heights NY.

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