Starting in March I will be using this blog as a touring blog as "hitting the road" seems to be the next phase of the record release. It's been very hard having things to report since finishing the album in the studio so I figure what better way to keep in touch with everyone than by notes from the road? Not that I haven't been busy, but almost too busy to keep up with all the preparation for releasing the record. I will be hitting the road in March supporting Geffen Records recording artist Matt White. I'm looking forward to meeting him and being back out on the road in support of the new album. I will most likely be on the road the rest of the year so there will be plenty to blog about and let you in on.
So until then, please keep promoting the new single "The Good Life" to your friends and call and request the single to you favorite local radio stations. See you soon!!
Brad from Athens, OH
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday, December 8, 2007
"The Good Life" single & video
January 15th will be the release date for the digital single "The Good Life." Technically this will be the very first 'true' single Five Times August has released. This means there will actually be some real promotion behind it. It is the song we're going to push in hopes of getting some real radio play and I'll even be making a music video (something I've never done before). It's exciting and I hope you climb on board in helping promote the new record. You should check out the new FTA i-squad - it's important for you to join!
Kelly and I will be heading out to LA on the 16th to shoot the video on the 17th. We'll be working with a great new director Evan Lane who just did Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers new video for "Sweetest Goodbye." We have a pretty cool concept going for the video but I'm not going to spoil it, you'll just have to wait and see!
And now a "Brighter Side" timeline check in...
6 months since I started recording the album
4 months since the record was mixed
3 months since the record was mastered
1 month since the first single was released - "Overrated"
1 month until the REAL first single is released - "The Good Life"
3 months until the album is released
Are you ready for this record to come out yet? 'Cause I am!
Happy Holidays to you,
Brad
Monday, November 12, 2007
"Brighter Side" - Preview Bio
Five Times August, a name with a reputation as one of the most important commodities in the music industry’s new business model for up and coming artists. The completely unsigned solo project of 24 year old Dallas, Texas native Brad Skistimas returns with the new album “Brighter Side.” After selling over 100,000 digital downloads without a record label, getting 18 song placements from one album on various popular television programs, and becoming the first unsigned act sold in Wal-Mart stores nationwide, one can only wonder what Five Times August will accomplish next.
With “Brighter Side,” Skistimas has crafted an album of balance. Relatable catchy pop tunes without the overly produced sound that invades today’s Top 40 market. The music is real and each song is its own. In the midst of an industry looking for one novelty hit after another, “Brighter Side” proves to have quality and charm. It’s not just another album with two polished hit songs and ten okay fillers. This album throws away the standard formula of co-writer after co-writer, heavily produced studio tricks, and keeping to a genre specific theme.
At the core you will find, simply, a songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Skistimas blends these acoustic pop arrangements with flavorful hints of roots, country, rock and even punk at times. The mellow “Who You Are” will appeal to fans of Norah Jones or Ryan Adams, while the rebelious rocker “Overrated” might pull in fans of Fall Out Boy or Green Day. The nineties-esque “One Way Road” reminisces that of Matchbox 20 or Hootie and the Blowfish while the blue-collar anthem “The Lighting” reflects the heavy electric guitars of Oasis. From start to finish the album takes you on a journey equivalent to a mix tape featuring a compilation of artists.
And it’s no wonder “Brighter Side” has a sound all it’s own, considering the team that helped Brad put it all together. Recorded in Dallas at Bass Propulsion Laboratories, it was produced by the studio’s owners, brothers Todd and Toby Pipes (Deep Blue Something, Drowning Pool, Flickerstick). At the recommendation of the Pipes Bros, Skistimas recruited local studio musicians for most of the instrumentation, but also took it upon himself to invite former Vertical Horizon drummer Ed Toth to provide a solid backbeat for the record.
“Since Five Times August is a solo project I have the freedom to bring in a variety of players to fit each album.” Skistimas says. “It’s great because those different inputs provide a level of comfort in knowing my sound will never get repetitive from one record to the next. It’s like forming a new band each time around.”
In addition to recording at BPL Studios, Skistimas had the album mixed by Grammy Award Winner Andy Zulla (Rod Stewart, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson).
Five Times August wrapped up an extensive college tour in 2007, traveling 8 months out of the year, visiting 43 of the 50 states, and plans to start the whole thing up again in 2008 to support the release of “Brighter Side.” This time around FTA will be releasing the album with the help of Croshal Entertainment Group, a virtual label based out of LA.
“I figured if I accomplished what I did with my last album by mainly word of mouth and almost no promotion behind it there’s no telling what can happen if I actually give myself a marketing fund this time around!” Skistimas proclaims. “The great thing about working with CEG is that I’m still unsigned and in control of my own image and music, but will still get the attention that many major label releases receive.”
While Skistimas continues to break barriers as an unsigned artist, the music industry should prepare itself for a new breed of music and marketing upon the release of Five Times August’s upcoming release. “Brighter Side” will be in stores nationwide in March 2008.
With “Brighter Side,” Skistimas has crafted an album of balance. Relatable catchy pop tunes without the overly produced sound that invades today’s Top 40 market. The music is real and each song is its own. In the midst of an industry looking for one novelty hit after another, “Brighter Side” proves to have quality and charm. It’s not just another album with two polished hit songs and ten okay fillers. This album throws away the standard formula of co-writer after co-writer, heavily produced studio tricks, and keeping to a genre specific theme.
At the core you will find, simply, a songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Skistimas blends these acoustic pop arrangements with flavorful hints of roots, country, rock and even punk at times. The mellow “Who You Are” will appeal to fans of Norah Jones or Ryan Adams, while the rebelious rocker “Overrated” might pull in fans of Fall Out Boy or Green Day. The nineties-esque “One Way Road” reminisces that of Matchbox 20 or Hootie and the Blowfish while the blue-collar anthem “The Lighting” reflects the heavy electric guitars of Oasis. From start to finish the album takes you on a journey equivalent to a mix tape featuring a compilation of artists.
And it’s no wonder “Brighter Side” has a sound all it’s own, considering the team that helped Brad put it all together. Recorded in Dallas at Bass Propulsion Laboratories, it was produced by the studio’s owners, brothers Todd and Toby Pipes (Deep Blue Something, Drowning Pool, Flickerstick). At the recommendation of the Pipes Bros, Skistimas recruited local studio musicians for most of the instrumentation, but also took it upon himself to invite former Vertical Horizon drummer Ed Toth to provide a solid backbeat for the record.
“Since Five Times August is a solo project I have the freedom to bring in a variety of players to fit each album.” Skistimas says. “It’s great because those different inputs provide a level of comfort in knowing my sound will never get repetitive from one record to the next. It’s like forming a new band each time around.”
In addition to recording at BPL Studios, Skistimas had the album mixed by Grammy Award Winner Andy Zulla (Rod Stewart, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson).
Five Times August wrapped up an extensive college tour in 2007, traveling 8 months out of the year, visiting 43 of the 50 states, and plans to start the whole thing up again in 2008 to support the release of “Brighter Side.” This time around FTA will be releasing the album with the help of Croshal Entertainment Group, a virtual label based out of LA.
“I figured if I accomplished what I did with my last album by mainly word of mouth and almost no promotion behind it there’s no telling what can happen if I actually give myself a marketing fund this time around!” Skistimas proclaims. “The great thing about working with CEG is that I’m still unsigned and in control of my own image and music, but will still get the attention that many major label releases receive.”
While Skistimas continues to break barriers as an unsigned artist, the music industry should prepare itself for a new breed of music and marketing upon the release of Five Times August’s upcoming release. “Brighter Side” will be in stores nationwide in March 2008.
Friday, October 12, 2007
"Overrated" iTunes single
The digital single for Overrated will be available online October 31st (perhaps sooner, but that's the day I'm promoting!). It will be available on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, & eMusic.
Things are starting to come together for the album release. The company I will be working with for the release is planning to release "Brighter Side" probably around late March. Originally I planned to release the record in January, but for promotional purposes (and some financial reasoning; read here) March is going to be the best time to release the new album. So you'll have to wait just a little bit longer, but that's the way it goes sometimes!
I will post another new track online before the release, most likely in November.
From Michigan,
Brad
Things are starting to come together for the album release. The company I will be working with for the release is planning to release "Brighter Side" probably around late March. Originally I planned to release the record in January, but for promotional purposes (and some financial reasoning; read here) March is going to be the best time to release the new album. So you'll have to wait just a little bit longer, but that's the way it goes sometimes!
I will post another new track online before the release, most likely in November.
From Michigan,
Brad
Friday, September 28, 2007
"Overrated" Lyrics
On September 30th the new single "Overrated" will be debuting on Myspace.com, iLike.com, and PureVolume.com...
About the song...
This song was written in October 2005. I think a lot of our society (especially the youth) is starting to get very materialistic with cars, ipods, clothing/image, partying, etc... things that are marketed to us in a way that make us think it's important to buy into whatever image it projects. As in, you're only cool if you look a certain way, drive a certain car, or listen to a certain type of music. To me that stuff has always been overrated because it's only cool until we're marketed something else, and that can change in a day. Sad thing is I don't think it's ever going to really stop because the average person takes what they're marketed and really does buy into it. I hope listeners will learn from the song in that it teaches them not to worry about looking cool or keeping up with the latest "what's hot and what's not" list. In about 20 years the straightened long black emo rockstar hair look will be the equivalent to your parents having an afro in the 70's...
"Overrated"
written by Brad Skistimas
from the forthcoming release "Brighter Side"
So what I need is a fast car
Maybe think like a superstar
'Cause "everybody's doing it"
I'll coin the phrase and prove it to all
What you are is your own self
At the bar you were someone else
That plaid skirt and button up shirt
Don't label who you are
And I see this is overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
It's never gonna stop
Hear a song on the radio
Sing along, so predictable
'Cause it's hard to be original
When everyone's so typical
Or maybe I'm just living it to
And I know it's not about me
Or anything that I've gotta say
'Cause it's all in how you see it
You might not believe it
The politics could change in a day
And I see this is overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
It's never gonna stop
And I see this is overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
It's all overrated
It's never gonna stop
Gonna stop no no no no
It's never gonna stop
copyright 2007 Seven Places Music (ASCAP)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Overrated [Digital Single]
It's officially been announced that September 30th will be the debut of the new single "Overrated." I will be debuting it on myspace.com that day, as well as on iLike.com (which it will stream in MUCH better quality than myspace). Soon after it's debut the digital single should be released on iTunes for purchase.
Check back soon for lyrics to the song!
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