FEATURED JOBS
Comments (1)A manager that consistently sends me quality artists, emailed me a few weeks ago about a rare “find”, that I had to read about right away. This one contact always sends me great talent, so I’m eager to open his emails, since the artist he’s bringing me will surely be one of those that I should be watching. I get emails stressing how someone should be “watched” or a rare “find” all the time - it’s buzz words that PR agents use to get writer’s attention. Some times they’re right, some times they’re exaggerating but with this particular agent, he doesn’t throw it around often. So, “Okay, I’ll bite. Let’s see what we have here.” Then, I open the email, and start reading. Next thing I know, my jaw hits my keyboard—hard. This artist was a rather rare find… read more
BLOGS
One Wild Road To A Grammy
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/14/11 at 09:51 AM
Overcoming Heartbreak with Meital Dohan
I’m at a loss about where to start when it comes to Meital Dohan. I mean, I’ve rewrote this line ten times already, and I can only think of, “I’m at a loss about where to start…” Odd, I know but let me say that rarely do you get to interview a person with such an impressive record of success that it’s hard to put only one label on them. With Dohan, this is the case. You’ve heard of the triple threat when it comes to entertainers but Dohan is more like the secret weapon—more of the Renaissance Woman feel than your “typical” celebrity. It’s this reason that Dohan is known across the globe for not only her incredible beauty and poise, but her amazing gift to well, pretty much excel in every genre she dips her toe into.… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/01/11 at 06:17 AM
Sunset Over Hope Street
Two weeks ago, I had the chance to speak with New York based artist Ari Hest, a voice that has become legendary in the modern singer/songwriter world. If you’re not familiar with what the “modern singer/songwriter world” is, then turn off MTV, ignore anything with auto-tune attached to the vocals and listen to artists like, Ray LaMontagne, Donavon Frankenreiter, Brett Dennen, Trevor Hall, Amos Lee, Paolo Nutini and of course, Ari Hest. If artists like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, James Taylor are the roots of the singer/songwriter, these artists are an eclectic array of branches with vibrant leaves - a different color and pattern on each. I don’t want to say that Hest is leading the pack, because the category of artist Hest falls into has no leader – it can’t. This group prefers rather to work as one,… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/09/11 at 07:47 AM
The Traveler
Having music around me nearly 24/7 (including the Wiggles, via my two and half year old daughter), I sometimes get in a zone where sounds start to run together; voices seem the same, beats seem repetitive and I need to constantly switch from artist to artist in order to keep going. Then an email about Mikey Wax was sent to me, and after visiting his site, I just knew I hit something pure and original. I had his songs on loop for the rest of the day and not once did I get distracted – Wax had my undivided attention. I’m not the only one either – Wax is receiving a LOT of attention these days. For starters, his debut 2008 release, “Change Again” rose to #46 on the Top 100 iTunes Pop chart in US, UK, Canada and… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 02/13/11 at 08:06 PM
Best Friends 4EVA!
When I was thinking about my next feature, I went down the list of musicians I knew that everyone would enjoy. Then as I was looking on http://www.PensEyeView.com for further inspiration, I remembered two individuals I knew everyone would get a real kick out of. Although not musicians, together their harmonious ability to create some of the funniest material online today, has become something I couldn’t wait to tell my readers. After all, millions of viewers on line have fallen in love with – and been busted at work for watching – Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld, the duo that makes up the hit webseries, JakeAndAmir.com of CollegeHumor.com fame. Jake and Amir are coworkers as well as “best friends who share everything!” (says Amir, that is) who became an instant hit when they started airing clips of their daily… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/23/10 at 08:23 PM
Blind Pilot - The Real Road Warriors
With nearly one thousand interviews we’ve conducted on PensEyeView.com, I have asked each artist their opinion of life out on the road as a professional musician. Knowing that road life can be both a grueling and enjoyable aspect for them, it’s always interesting to hear what they have to say. And in all my interviews, they either love road life or view it as simply the mechanism for getting their music out there. Even despite the way in which they travel – the high rolling jets to the low level vans with 200,000 plus miles on them – it’s always a mixed bag of emotions when I ask what it’s like living their dream out on the road. Then I get a band like Oregon born, Blind Pilot, who has decided that life on the road should be as… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/05/10 at 05:58 AM
Stories of Bob Pressner
If there is one thing you can learn about me from my articles, it’s that I am a BIG fan of chasing your dreams. I love the pursuit, I love the hunt and I love it even more when it all works out. In my beautiful tenure with PensEyeView.com, I’ve had the incredibly fortunate opportunity to come across some rare artists with amazing stories. And just when I think I’ve heard the greatest story behind how someone “became” a musician, another one extraordinary story pops up. I’m not complaining – this fact makes my life as a writer that much more fun and enjoyable. However, with Bob Pressner, I’m so overwhelmed with his stories, that I don’t know where to start. So, when in doubt, just jump right in head first. Let’s start back to when Pressner was just… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/27/10 at 07:07 PM
The Only Life Worth Living…
“This is the only life I know how to live,” says 27 year old, Zack Borer when asked if he always knew music would be his career one day. It’s an honest answer from an overwhelming grateful singer-songwriter, who is being compared to everyone from O.A.R. to Kings of Leon. As if such high comparisons aren’t praise enough, Borer’s talents have landed him on the same stage with the likes of Jason Mraz and even Dave Matthews – someone who Borer credits with helping shape his own musical styling. “Dave kind of revolutionized the way music was written on the acoustic guitar,” says Borer. So yes, compliments are nice to hear, but Borer hasn’t let those honors steer him in a direction of “the follower”. Very simply, Borer has etched his spot in emerging music hierarchy - a front-runner… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/10/10 at 12:58 PM
Behind Every Great Band…
I’ve interviewed over 600 artists and bands in three years and let me tell you, sometimes it’s not as fun as it sounds. Don’t get me wrong, PensEyeView.com is the best job in the world - I’ve sat down with bands that I used to wait in line for hours at their concerts – so I’m not complaining about that. Sometimes though, getting answers from an artist can be tough. I often wonder how some of them were able to make it this far in the business, let alone make it out of bed in the morning. Then, I remember who put the meeting together; their loyal, dedicated, overworked and hyper attentive manager or publicist who keeps them afloat. One of those magical multitaskers that I’ve been lucky enough to work with has been Jake Wilkenfeld-Mongillo, a musician, manager… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 06/19/10 at 01:08 PM
My Jerusalem - Always Just Look To The Future
Each band has a unique story about how they formed. Without question, their discovery always beings with ‘Where they were, Where they weren’t and What finally brought them to find one another’. The members have different answers for the first two but the last part -‘What brought the band together?’ - is always answered with the same pride, excitement and gratitude. Take the eclectic rock band My Jerusalem who describes their meeting by saying, “They [My Jerusalem] wandered their 40 years, collectively at least, through bands and projects that dried up to desert. Milk and honey, stale beer and cigarettes, it didn’t matter – they found their Jerusalem when they found each other”. Founded by critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Jeff Klein, who wandered the “musical desert” as a solo artist for years, never planned on starting a collaborative band of… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/25/10 at 08:17 AM
Cross Country with Joe Firstman
Whenever I interview an artist, I always wonder what was going through their heads when they decided to pursue music. Now, I don’t mean the first time they were inspired by Springsteen or the White Album, thinking to themselves, “I can do that!” I mean the day that they literally dropped everything and jumped full on into the wild waters of the music business. An industry with such an unknown future, that plays no favorites, the odds of being a successful musician are highly stacked against you. Then again… some times it works. One person in particular is Joe Firstman, who traveled from his hometown of North Carolina to Los Angeles on a Greyhound bus (that’s a story in itself), with nothing more than some cash, a guitar and a boatload of optimism. I know what you’re thinking, “I’ve… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/12/10 at 02:09 PM
There’s No Fooling A Clever Con
I often think about how I come across the people I meet through PensEyeView.com. I have even attempted on numerous occasions to draw a tree from Person A, to B, to Z… to ZZZ and over again to find out how I met them in first place. However, no matter how I met them, the thing that I like to think about even more is how I have been able to stay in contact with hundreds of people over three short years. Take the band A Clever Con - four friends from Jersey (not like the MTV show!) Mike (vocals/guitar), Ryan (guitar/vocals), Bobby (bass) and TJ aka Smash (drums) whose lime green ties and dark shirts have made them a walking symbol of a band set out to do something totally different with their music. Whereas most times a… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 02/13/10 at 10:18 PM
How About A Revolution!
Covering over five hundred artists in under three years, from all over the world, it’s always good to find someone to feature from your own backyard. Even better is when that same band not only leaves the backyard but goes on to become one of the hottest touring acts in music today. The Rockville born - now New York based – band Of A Revolution or O.A.R. as they are known today, is and has been one of my favorite bands for years. This comes in many parts however, since years ago at Camp Airy I met a skinny kid that named Marc Roberge, who at the time was a standout wrestler, but would later forgo the mat to follow his true dream of becoming a musician. And he did just that, forming O.A.R. as the front man and… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/14/10 at 08:17 AM
The Journey of Steve Katz
If you want something bad enough, you have to go after it. Period. Anyone who has been successful has been told by others it will never happen but despite that, the real believers still chased their dreams. The story of Belgium born Steve Katz, is a perfect example of what happens when see your dreams through. Since Katz was fourteen, he knew he always wanted to be a musician. And like others before him that have tried to enter the cloudy jungle of the music business, he struggled. However, Katz, didn’t let that stop him, he did what he needed to make it work; he went to school, had a full time job- you know, did what your “supposed” to do as an adult (yeah right!). Still it wasn’t what he wanted to do. His dream - at times… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/16/09 at 09:48 AM
J.Viewz - Cool done right
It’s in no way easy to pull off “cool” in the music business, especially as a young artist. Granted yes, some new artists are cool for a few months… only to then check out to the musty waters of “One Hit Wondervillle” or out the gate think being cool is just wearing nice clothes and dating the latest supermodel. Others though, the real pros – the ones who when thrust into the limelight – do it effortlessly like John Legend, Michael Buble, Jay Z, the White Stripes, etc… are experts because well… they’re just cool for life. They show us that cool is more than just style – it’s about attitude and form. And to this point, you must admit that the coolest form of music out there is jazz. Yes, hip-hop has the attitude thing down pat, and… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/29/09 at 07:13 AM
I got ‘em!
Nearing 500 consecutive features on PensEyeView.com, I’ve never featured the same artist/act/work more than once and I don’t plan to for my Tuned In blog either… but for this one – I’ll make a slight exception because, I got ‘em! Got who you ask? Well, if you have been following my blogs, you’ll see that I posted one earlier about an elusive artist from Baltimore by the name of Adam Duritz, lead singer of the Counting Crows – one of my the top musicians I have yet to cross off of my “Must See” list. That was until, ironically, only weeks after posting my Tuned In blog about his very entertaining social media entries did his people finally connect with me and I got to review him live in person. Aside from watching my gorgeous little girl take her… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/05/09 at 07:17 AM
Adam Kirr: Seeing It Through
In my opinion, the world is divided into two kinds of people: those that wish, and those that see their wishes through. Baltimore native Adam Kirr, the young singer and songwriter with more gusto than one man can handle is very much the latter. Kirr says, “Deciding to become a musician was just something that I felt like I had to do. As far back as I can remember, my intuition and heart has driven me towards music.” And drove him it did… all the way to Los Angeles – the hardest and most rewarding place in America to pursue a music career. Since then, it’s been nothing but driving forward for Kirr, because after all, he has what it takes to see his wish through to the end. And it’s a good thing this is the case… because… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/01/09 at 09:31 AM
What I Learned About My Favorite Singer via Twitter
A year ago, when I wanted to research an artist, I checked their web site, MySpace page, Facebook page, press releases; everything I could to find out exactly what they were up to. With all of that information in hand, I’d then create some questions for an in-depth interview, hoping to learn more about the artist behind the music, not just about the “mega famous celebrity”. With over 425 interviews on PensEyeView.com over the past two years, I’ve learned a lot about artists I only knew from the radio – people I’ve admired for years that have been willing to open up to me, whether I was sitting in front of them, on the phone or corresponding through email. But still, I wanted more. Despite getting great answers, I’ve always liked the more random questions that happen to come… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/10/09 at 12:54 PM
Get To Know Monica Ott
New York City was the supreme destination for most of my fellow art graduates at The University of Maryland College Park (Go Terps!) – it’s a common path for budding musicians and artists, NYC after all being the east coast epicenter of modern culture. While I wouldn’t be taking the trip up north, I was excited for each of my classmates and wished them the best. However, when I asked each one where they were going to work or what they were going to do, each had the same canned answer revolving around the notion of “not selling out and living an artist’s life.” Well, what is an artist’s life? To them, this meant living on a futon in some dilapidated studio apartment, with nothing more than paint brushes and canvases. Quite the contradiction to the $150 “vintage” jeans… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/21/09 at 08:28 PM
Rock and Roll with Eric Hutchinson
The phrase, “everything happens for a reason” has never sat well with me. Even when the end result was rewarding, I was never able to look back and say, “I’m so glad that happened.” Don’t get me wrong, I have always considered myself an optimist but it’s hard to think positive in rough times. Take my first job out of college for example; headed by a crooked boss that had a habit of bouncing my paychecks on a regular basis. Even though quitting paved the way for opportunities like starting PensEyeView.com, it is still hard to think, “Yeah, it was worth it.” Then again, sometimes that saying fits perfectly. It did for Tacoma Park, Maryland native and now world renowned singer/songwriter, Eric Hutchinson, that’s for sure. After achieving a musician’s dream of landing a major record deal, Hutchinson had… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/15/09 at 07:38 PM
Ricky Orbach’s “New Midlife Crisis”
When I started PensEyeView.com, I began receiving new CD’s in the mail on a regular basis. Consistently, I was so amazed by what I heard, I thought to myself, “I think I’ve heard it all.” But every time I said it, I ended up eating my words shortly thereafter when another album arrived or an email from an agent or record executive touting the next big thing came my way. However, as PensEyeView.com prepares to celebrate its two year anniversary on April 1, 2009 and over 365 consecutive features, I can at least say, “I have encountered some pretty interesting people.” And Ricky Orbach of Kohane of Newark is definitely one example of an individual that stands out of that 365. Ricky not only blew me away with his music, but also with the story of how he became… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 03/04/09 at 09:43 AM
Sounds From The Wailing Wall
Annapolis native, Jesse Rifkin knows a thing or two about getting his music into the hands of the masses. Rifkin first started out as a solo act, playing whenever and wherever the opportunity arose. From time to time he would call on fellow budding musicians to lend a hand, a project which slowly became known as “The Wailing Wall.” Historically, The Wailing Wall (or Western Wall) is the most sacred ground of the Jewish faith… so naming your band after such a startling monument no doubt adds some extra pressure for success! Rifkin doesn’t see it that way however; He looks at the title as an expression of self and the pride he takes in his music. “I am Jewish and grew up Jewish and went to a Jewish high school… I liked the musicality and alliteration of Wailing… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 01/01/09 at 08:10 AM
Matchstick Memories of Bryon Friedman
For the greater part of his life, Park City, Utah native Bryon Friedman’s success as a member of the champion US Ski Team depended on how fast he could race down powdered mountains across the globe. Fame, rewards, recognition was achieved only when his body was pushed to extremes, at speeds that would make most pray for a rescue. That is the life of a professional athlete and the life of one at the top; the life that Friedman chose. But what happens when an athlete’s body breaks? What do you do when the only life you have known is put on the shelf? Only the strongest willed individuals can answer that, and find peace in their decision. So at a time where most athletes would sit hollow, and worried about what to do with the rest of their… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 11/19/08 at 07:47 AM
“Some Mad Hope” From Matt Nathanson
I had already been looping Matt Nathanson’s break out album “Some Mad Hope” for months before I found myself taking the trip into downtown Washington, DC to interview one of today’s top bands, Lifehouse at the famed 9:30 Club. Upon arriving and learning that Nathanson would be playing the part of opening act, my PEV brothers and I broke out into an intense high five fest, ecstatic that the Boston native who took over the San Francisco singer/songwriter scene would be supplying his unique style combination of folk, rock and pop for our eardrums. I’d been hooked for some time, and having never seen Matt perform live, had no idea he would be capable of stealing the show – but that’s exactly what he did. The strength of his live show is his ability to relate; he says “I… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/23/08 at 07:47 PM
String Theory
One of the best parts of running PensEyeView.com is opening my eyes to a new artist every 48 hours that I otherwise may have never met, or learned about. Featuring a different artist so often has been a more than satisfying experience, and now it has become common practice to receive emails from friends, family and industry professionals teasing me with subjects reading, “Have you seen this guy?!?” or “You HAVE to feature this person!” Back in 2006, my brother sent me an email of a YouTube video, featuring a guy sitting in front of a piano singing about eating Chinese food on Christmas and going to the movie theater – A habit of American Jews that has become as common practice as sneaking a cookie in before sundown on Yom Kippur. This YouTube celebrity, a young musician named… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/30/08 at 01:26 PM
Get Tuned In to Justin Stein
Every year thousands of young hopefuls hop on planes heading out west to Los Angeles, chasing their dreams of success in the entertainment business. Many have grand delusions of being spotted on the street by Steven Speilberg or expect to find every top agent and producer waiting for them – contract in hand – on the tarmac. But, this is not exactly how things work. Success in today's entertainment industry is rare; only a handful are able to ditch their job waiting tables and say hello to fame. However, earlier this year a plane left Chicago carrying Justin Stein – a young actor, dancer, singer and songwriter who has become one of those fortunate individuals. Two days after graduation, Stein, who deferred acceptance to NYU, bid farewell to his family and wished his college bound friends the best. He… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/16/08 at 08:14 AM
“Tuned In” to Shwa Losben
When I was little, my bubby used to call me a character. This was partly because I would do just about anything to make her, or anyone around me, laugh – even when most of the time it was at my own expense. Since then, I’ve surrounded myself with individuals who share a similar zest for life. When I first met 25-year-old singer/songwriter Shwa (short for Joshua) Losben earlier this year, this “character” was being compared to everyone from Elliott Smith to Coldplay. Bit by the music bug rather early, the former Holland, Pennsylvania resident picked up a trumpet at age ten and then moved to the guitar in the seventh grade. Besides his interest in music, Shwa was very involved in the Jewish community at a young age, such as being a bar mitzvah and attending summer weekends… read more
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/02/08 at 06:59 PM
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Most recent entries
One Wild Road To A GrammyOvercoming Heartbreak with Meital Dohan
Sunset Over Hope Street
The Traveler
Best Friends 4EVA!
Blind Pilot - The Real Road Warriors
Stories of Bob Pressner
The Only Life Worth Living…
Behind Every Great Band…
My Jerusalem - Always Just Look To The Future
Cross Country with Joe Firstman
There’s No Fooling A Clever Con
How About A Revolution!
The Journey of Steve Katz
J.Viewz - Cool done right
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