April, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 4
JEFF BERKLEY
APRIL 2021 BY BART MENDOZA © MUSICSCENESD // MUSICSCENESD.COM
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Under Cover
Music is just now beginning to ramp up again, but producer / musician Jeff Berkley already has a full plate of projects ready for 2021 and beyond. Berkley has worked with the likes of Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Jason Mraz, Indigo Girls and many more, but is perhaps best known as one half of acoustic duo, Berkley Hart, alongside long time friend Calman Hart. That may be changing soon, as one of Berkley’s earliest projects, The Cry, a post punk quartet that released a cassette only album in 1990, is receiving belated attention amongst music aficionados. The album was recently reissued by Dowd Records, but original copies are still going for upwards of $75 to collectors. The renewed attention has brought the band back into the studio for new recordings, with six tunes recently posted on Spotify. “What a pleasant surprise to have had such a great response from folks,” Berkley said. “I’m so happy for my mates in The Cry, Blaise Spiteri (vocals), Jeff Cirka (bass) and drummer David Nilson. They’ve been drawn back into the music world and it’s so great to work together again.” Based in Ocean Beach, in addition to working on his own music, Berkley spends his days behind the board at Ohm Grown Studio, located on Jason Mraz’s North County Mranch. “I’m there 5 or 6 days a week. I’m blessed with lots of great artists who want to make records with me,” Berkley said good naturedly. “The studio and the folks that are around up there have changed my whole life! It’s the first studio I’ve worked in where the outside and light are just as much a part of the vibe as the mics and room and instruments and all that. I’m surrounded and encircled by light. Even at night.” He feels lucky to have found the right mix of location and people. “The folks that live and work around the Mranch are full of love and have taken me in as one of their own,” Berkley said. “It’s been an incredible
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time of growth and healing in my life and everyday gets better. I’m honored to be there. Also, there’s a Neve console and my chair spins,” he joked. Amongst the new recordings being worked on now are a new Berkley Hart album (“we’re writing songs for that now”), a collection of artists covering Berkley Hart tunes and a thirteen track duets album, Under the Covers. “It’s me and a bunch of amazing San Diego artists covering songs that made a difference in my musical life,” Berkley said. Singers joining him on the album include Singers joining him on the album include Rebecca Jade, Lauren Leigh, Cathryn Beeks, Astra Kelly, Shawn Rohlf, Allegra Duchaine, Barbara Nesbitt, Veronica May, Heather Janiga, Marcia Claire, Cici Artemisia, Stacy Antonel (Ginger Cowgirl) and Kibria Sarkisian.
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First up however is the release of his solo version of “This Land is Your land,” which will also have a new video produced for it. “It’s a bluesy/dreamy version that conveys the sadness and fear of the last year,” Berkley said. “The video is meant to hold a mirror up to our country and say “this land is your land” here’s who we are and what we do. This land can only be saved by you and me.” After more than three decades as a musician, Berkley is clear on his motivation to keep making music. “It’s the songs and the people,” he said. “The art of making records is infinite in its possibilities and in the ways records can be made. Every group and session is different,” Berkley considered. “There’s not much time to feel bored or uninspired.” www.facebook.com/JBSDmusic
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