Arty Singer Songwriter + Musician in Albany, CA

SEEKING

ABOUT

I kinda hate the word "arty," but in a headline there isn't room to say:

I like music that's a little out of the mainstream, with intelligent lyrics, more than 3 chords (usually), something unexpected like an odd instrument or time signature or arrangement.

I love genre-bending music! (That's genre, not gender -- not that there's anything wrong with that!)

I also have been influenced by classical music. I did get a degree in music (voice), which I think makes me more versatile singer and the music theory doesn't hurt either.

As a songwriter -- well, I've only written a few songs so far, so there's plenty of room for other songwriters in the band.

When you listen to my songs please realize IT'S *NOT* THAT I ALWAYS WANT TO SING SLOW SENSITIVE SONGS, THAT'S JUST THE KIND I SEEM TO WRITE SO FAR! (Partly due to the fact that I don't play guitar & my keyboard playing isn't real solid.) Maybe a collaborator could make my lyrics and ideas rock!

I'm interested in recording and/or playing live. I'm over 40 and not looking to make a career of this, but I work at it. I'm willing to rehearse once a week and practice in between times. I want to make something really good!

I've been in a renowned a capella group but not a rock group - yet!

I'd like to get together with musicians who are: creative, flexible, expressive, dependable. Formal training (ability to read music, etc.) is a plus but not necessary. I live in Albany, near El Cerrito Plaza BART.

If you read a similar ad a while back you may have noticed at that point there was a more prog emphasis & my husband Eric was involved. There's no drama in that change - we just decided to look for separate musical situations since our taste is pretty different.

Screen name:

Arty Singer Songwriter

Member since:

Dec 05 2010

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Moderately Committed

Years playing music:

20

Gigs played:

50 to 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Influences

Peter Gabriel, REM, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Tori Amos, King Crimson, Paul Simon (the later, more complex stuff), Joni Mitchell (ditto), Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, Talking Heads, Sam Phillips (check out albums: Martinis & Bikinis, or It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop). I also love some really old-school R&B once in a while (Aretha, Stevie Wonder, etc.).

Instrument experience:

Vocalist - Alto:

Advanced

Background Singer:

Advanced

Vocalist:

Advanced

Keyboard:

Beginner

EQUIPMENT

I have a keyboard. We also have drums at our house, which may be convenient, & a small rehearsal space. Other equipment can be easily dug up as needed. We have access to a friend's home recording studio too.

MUSIC