David Berkeley

David Berkeleys gift as a songwriter and storyteller is that he sees the tragedy and comedy in life, writing songs capable of both breaking and healing the heart. Berkeley has been called a musical poet by the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times praises his lustrous, melancholy voice with shades of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake. That voice and his gift with words set Berkeley apart from other guitar-slinging songwriters. But it is his onstage charisma and unparalleled between-song repartee that truly puts him in a class by himself. Each show is completely unique, and his humanity shines through every note he sings and every word he speaks. Berkeley has released eight studio albums, one live album, and authored two books, each of which pairs with one of his albums. He was a guest on This American Life, telling an outrageous story of a private serenade he was once hired to perform. He has won many songwriting awards and honors, including ASCAPs Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award.Releasing September 4, 2024, Berkeleys newest album, A Pail Full of Fire, is a masterclass on songwriting and singing. Produced by Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird) and featuring Anna Tivel on angelic background vocals and Rich Hinman on ethereal pedal steel, the arrangements are spare and restrained, allowing Berkeleys rich baritone and profound poetry to take center stage. Like all of Berkeleys catalog, the music begs you to lean in and listen closely, as each song speaks to what matters in this life. The album begins with the single Wild Gods, a post-Covid song that reminds us that despite all our different fears and all our different fights and all the time we waste in this our only life, we still have a chance at redemption and connection, cause every moment dear, a new world begins. The final song, Until the End, is a meditation on the unpredictability of this brief life. Recalling the ancient Greek philosopher Solon, Berkeley whispers in a cracking falsetto, until the end, no one knows how it endsstay close my friend. This is a record that flies in the face of many modern trendsflash, noise, speed, volume, AIin favor of long tones, honest reflection, and heart. In addition to his solo career, Berkeley is also one half of the wildly creative Trans-Atlantic costumed duo Sons of Town Hall, who will be releasing a new album in conjunction with a musical-parody podcast series. Berkeleys music has also been remixed by many of the worlds top EDM DJs. He tours all over the country and world and has opened/toured with Dido, Don McLean, Ben Folds, Billy Bragg, Ray Lamontagne, Nickel Creek, and many more. He was a Kerrville New Folk winner, a New Song and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Finalist. Hes performed on World Caf, Mountain Stage, Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, XM Loft Sessions, Acoustic Caf, and many more. Apart from his vast musical catalog, Berkeleys two books are worthy in their own right. The first is a memoir about music and fatherhood. The second is a never-before-tried concept: a novella comprising ten intertwining stories and an album of ten accompanying songs (one for each story). Visit www.davidberkeley.com for more on all of Berkeleys art.If youre into literate soulful singer-songwriters, David Berkeley is the Gabriel Garca Mrquez of beautiful-voiced troubadours. KRUU*please note $20 per person minimum for table seating*