This Friday and Sunday, Brendan Velasquez performs at 11pm each night. And on Thursday, May 27 at 9PM is a double-header, with Tom Goss and Jeremiah Clark performing at 9PM.
BRENDAN VELASQUEZ:
At Nineteen, Brendan Velasquez knows what he wants. He has set out to reach his goal: a career in the music business. With his determination, ambition, and talent there is not much that can stop this young man from reaching and moving people through music.
It all started when he was old enough to vocalize. From elementary school through high school, Brendan performed in choir and multiple musical productions. Music became a natural part of life. He began writing music at age sixteen. Soon he got into music production with the help of his step dad, who introduced him to the wonderful world of home studio.
At the age of 16, Brendan started producing his own fusion of electronica, rock, and pop. His demos were heard by artist manager Raymon Smiley. Impressed by the music, Raymon began working with Brendan on a full length CD that will be released summer 2008. Filled with more than 15 songs ranging from pop/dance with a hint of rock to R&B with a techno flavor there is something for everyone who loves great music.
Brendan is not your average teenager. One of his hopes is to educate and enlighten young people and others on the importance of safer sex practice.
With looks that equal Zac Efron and Ashton Kutcher, and a voice reminiscent of Justin Timberlake and George Michael, Brendan Velasquez is an artist that you will be seeing a lot of in 2010.
JEREMIAH CLARK:
Openly-gay, singer-songwriter Jeremiah Clark brings a fresh voice to the timeless ideas of love, loss and living with both. With effortless, vocal phrasing and an eclectic, musical palette, Jeremiah marries truly heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies that make this new talent a rising star.
The perfect balance of singer-songwriter and contemporary artist, Indie musician Jeremiah Clark marries together experimental, yet poppy, awkward yet unforced, truly heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies that make this new talent a rising star. With effortless, vocal phrasing and an eclectic, musical palette, his mixture of various melodic influences rival those of Mika, Morrissey and Michael Buble combined. This young, emerging talent is slowly but surely making his mark in the music industry already with 3 successful, self-produced albums and a fourth on the way for Spring 2010.
After a three year hiatus of what you could call soul-searching, Jeremiah returns to the scene invigorated with a new perspective on real life experiences and the compelling stories of being an out gay man in his mid-twenties. His first single from his fourth album, "Come On, Autumn", will soon be making a splash on the airwaves as will the music video currently in the planning stages; an extensive PRIDE tour is planned for 2010, with radio and TV appearances in the works, all to coincide with the album launch. Currently on rotation is Jeremiah's latest EP “Leaving a Broken Heart” released in December of 2008 with tracks 1) The Song Goes On 2) A Bitter Aftertaste 3) Leaving a Broken Heart 4) An Echoed Sound and 5) Pages. Not only would it be a great addition to any MP3 player, but it also gives a glimpse into the raw talent this Pennsylvanian lad is about to make public to his growing fan base.
With influences like Alison Krauss and Duncan Sheik, it’s clear that Jeremiah loves a sad song; the new album is appropriately titled “Just Another Sad Song” and he takes songwriting rather seriously. When asked about his approach, Jeremiah explains, “It’s only a good song if you’re completely honest with yourself and with the listeners. I want my music to be as realistic and sincere as possible and sometimes it hurts. The audience should feel it, too, so I don’t waste a lot of time editing when raw emotion is what people need to hear the most.
TOM GOSS
Tom grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He spent his childhood in the gym with his gymnast parents and brothers, but switched to wresting in junior high—a better outlet for some serious teenage aggression—and stuck with it through college.
Music was another, more enduring passion. His mom bought him a guitar as a high-school graduation present, and he quickly taught himself to play. Inspired by Dave Matthews and David Gray, he soon started writing songs of his own.Through it all, Tom felt a strong spiritual calling.
While at the University of Central Missouri, studying to become a teacher, Tom decided that he was meant to be a priest instead. He moved to Washington, DC in 2004 to enter Catholic seminary. It didn’t go as planned and, disillusioned by the institution in which he had placed his faith, he chose to abandon religious training—but not his quest.
Back in secular life, Tom sought new ways to work toward social justice, the issue that had led him to the church in the first place. He took a job running a breakfast program for the homeless. He began to build a life with his partner Mike. And he channeled his message of love, hope and reconciliation through his music. Don’t expect hymns.
Tom offers up dynamic acoustic rock featuring muscular guitar, hooky melodies and a uniquely powerful voice. If the 26-year-old has any patron saints, they are Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, Ben Folds, and Joss Stone. Since April 2006, when he released his self-produced debut, Naked Without, Tom has played scores of coffeehouses, bars, gay pride festivals and other events—honing his skills along the way.
With the January 2008 release of his second CD, Rise, Tom demonstrates just how far he’s come. The six songs showcase his stylistic flexibility, from the urgent growl of “Morning Sun” to the sweet and unadorned “King of Something Right.” The recent music video for “Rise” barreled its way to #2 on MTV’s LOGO and stuck around 8 weeks.
On April 7, 2009, Tom released his latest album Back to Love. The album continues to build on themes of rebirth and renewal, of love and loss and what lies beyond. Tom's music remains a playlist for anyone on a journey from darkness to light.
