Tag Archive for Singer/Songwriter

Singer/Songwriter David Berkeley is no stranger to the music industry.  At the age of 4, Berkeley was singing door-to-door to his nanny’s Avon customers.  He has since gone from singing for cookies and applause from middle-aged women to self-releasing critically acclaimed albums to the masses.   With his recent Strange Light, Berkeley drew comparisons to legends such as Cat Stevens, Jackson Brown and James Taylor.  His upcoming release, Some Kind of Cure, is already being called the one that could give Berkeley “the big break.”  To fund this project, Berkeley is asking fans for donations and getting more than he expected—a testament to the emotional depths of his music.

Jay Sweet got the chance to catch up with Berkeley and talk about Some Kind of Cure, his fan’s generosity and the industry over the years.
Continue reading ‘A Q&A With David Berkeley’

Nick Pagliari successfully integrates a southern twang with a rocking, simplistic singer/songwriter sound that perfectly warms any sour mood (or sad movie for that matter).  In 2007, the title track off Pagliari’s EP Safe and Sound was featured in the Hilary Swank tear-jerker P.S. I love you. The next year, Pagliari put out the latest of three albums, Please and Thank You.  Then, in 2009, he released a new Web site that integrated his album design into an interactive experience to markets himself to the masses. Throughout his tenure on OurStage, Pagliari has placed 7 times in the Top 10 on the Pop, Indie Pop, Rock, and Singer/ Songwriter (male) Channels.  So, it’s safe to say fans have warmed up to Nick Pagliari rather nicely.

But Pagliari simply sees it like this: “It’s about my life, the lives of my friends and the characters I’ve developed to tell different stories about struggle and romance and desire and change.”

Self-described pool hustler and troublemaker pianist Martin Lesch first caught our attention with his OurStage track “End of the World.” Its Tom Waits-style, punchy percussion and jarring arrangements grab listeners by the second beat of the song and don’t let go. It’s easy to put this song on repeat; it’s harder to take it off.

Lesch’s music is heavily singer-songwriter-oriented, but by adding his own unique touch he turns a “piano and pianist” tune into so much more.  Check out the track “Live With Yourself.” If everything but the piano and vocals were removed, it would still be a great solo piece. Instead, crisp and almost mechanical pop drums enhance the track as it plunges into the piano pop ocean at the chorus, with just enough (but not too much) vocal reverb. Well played, especially for a troublemaker.

This perfect blend of radio-friendly, contemporary music with fun touches (like the “train ride” rhythm of “Old Coal Bridge“) make for a music library that can be enjoyed by all.

Hear it for yourself in our Martin Lesch playlist, and don’t forget to stop by his fanclub page and tell him what you think.

Summer has officially arrived, bringing with it an appetite for indulgence. The month of July presents us with thriving life in all forms, but as fun as the heat can be, we all need some summer chill out music to help us cool off. Complete with both soothing songs fit for an afternoon under a shady tree and energizing music poised to inspire the strength to meet the challenges ahead, the following compilation will surely help you round off your week with a sense of resolve.

Five time ASCAPlus Award winner and self-appointed Pop Superhero, Cookie Cutter Girl is alerting all her fellow independent songwriters to join ASCAP and apply for the monetary award that is given to songwriters whose airplay and performances “fall through the cracks” of ASCAP’s royalty payment reporting system. If you’re a qualifying artist, you must act quickly as the award application deadline is this Monday, June 1st!

Lynn Julian, aka Cookie Cutter Girl, is the antithesis of her stage name and encourages women everywhere to break free from their cookie cutter molds and join the girl power revolution. Her girl power pop songs have received airplay on 500+ TV & radio stations and 30+ CDs Internationally. CCG’s latest quest is documented in the new comic book written by Lynn with the help of the “queen of licensed children’s books”, Justine Fontes. The comic book story follows a young woman’s superhero alter ego, Cookie Cutter Girl, who gathers the strength within every woman she helps in the form of pink energy rays and shoots them at her enemies to fight the injustices of the world. Check out Cookie Cutter Girl’s profile on OurStage to get the full story.

Cookie Cutter Girl has been selected for the ASCAPlus award every year since she joined the organization and is now on a mission to save the day for all independent songwriters. Join this Pop Superhero on her mission to support independent musicians and maybe win a little cash while you’re at it!