Five Times August Redefines Indie Label
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10 Arts & Life Editor Joe Wolfe Arts & Life Five Times August redefines indie label COMMENTARY BY label is the ability to have direct JOE WOLFE contact with music supervisors Arts & Life Editor rather than through several in- termediaries. Skistimas recalls To the music fan, the term the music supervisor at HBO “indie” may refer to a genre of not believing how simple it was music or culture – one that is to talk directly to him regarding tied to a particular sound, look the use of his song. and subject matter. However, Skistimas’ next step in music what music enthusiasts do not industry was to try to distrib- realize is that these “indie” ute his music effectively to his musicians are not necessarily audience. After his success with independent. When you look MTV, there were several record at indie heavyweights such as labels in pursuit of him, both The Shins, of Montreal or Ra- big name and indie. However, diohead, you immediately no- to Skistimas, the investment tice there are labels associated in a major label deal would not with them, Sub Pop, Polyvinyl have returned the same amount and, formerly, Parlophone/EMI, that the independent route did. respectfully. Outside of their “When bands signed, they sound, and one self-release from are promised the world only to Radiohead, the only aspect ty- be shown the shelf,” Skistimas ing these bands to “indie” is the said. culture that surrounds them. Although the temptation to For Brad Skistimas, better “sign his life away” is always known by the moniker Five there, the benefits of the inde- Times August, the definition of pendent label outweigh those indie transcends that which is of a record deal. Skistimas is used to describe most bands. more concerned with being There is no label behind his able to control what he wants act, rather it is solely an op- to do musically rather than the eration headed by him and his profit that is behind it. JOE WOLFE / ARTS & LIFE EDITOR wife Kim Vandergriff, who is “Ultimately, I never had the BRAD SKISTIMAS played his way into the hearts of students with stripped down versions of his hit songs. also the manager of Five Times right deal offered to me,” Skisti- August. Together, this duo has mas said, “I couldn’t trust who I that since most of his songs mained on stage to the crowd’s made its mark on the music in- was talking to…there are a lot were written from the age of delight for two more songs. dustry, showing people every- of empty promises.” 19-22, many students are able However, what stood out the DOWnlOAD where that success is not tied Skistimas took it upon himself to relate to his lyrics. His sub- most in Skistimas’ appearance OF to a major record deal. to contact Wal-Mart regarding ject matters center around real was what happened when the Skistimas’ major break came the distribution of his album, life experiences about past rela- mic’s were off and the guitar THE WEek in 2004, when MTV e-mailed “Fry Street.” Two years after tionships and current marriage. was put away. Skistimas re- him asking for a copy of his EP this initial contact was made, “I always wrote songs that I mained in the theatre after his “First TIME FOR after coming across one of his “Fry Street” was re-released as wanted to listen to,” Skistimas performance to pose for pic- songs on the Internet. “The Independent” and Five said. “I never sat down and said tures and sign autographs for Everything” “When I saw it was MTV, I Times August was the first in- ‘I’m going to write the best song students. The down-to-earth, BY was like what?” Skistimas said dependent act to find its way to of my life’ and shove that into independent musician was do- jokingly. Wal-Mart’s shelves. people’s faces.” ing what mattered most in the FIVE TIMES AUGUST Still in disbelief a couple days Most recently, Skistimas has Skistimas describes the beau- industry: interacting with his For the few who say there are enough later, he decided to mail out the released “Life as a Song,” which ty of Five Times August’s music fan base. songs about heartbreak and relationships EP, thinking at worst he would is a compilation of all the sin- is that it gives “top 40 sound For Skistimas, the next step gone wrong, they have obviously never lose a CD to a stranger. Luck- gles in his career. He hit the without top 40 involvement.” in his musical career is still not had any experience in a meaningful rela- ily for Skistimas, MTV was the studio with Andy Zulla to fine- The sound that Five Times Au- defined; he laughs as he says tionship; for everyone else who knows the true source behind the e-mail, tune each track. gust encompasses can be tied to the beauty about Five Times gut-wrenching feeling of a relationship gone down the drain, here is another song and his song, “Better With You,” “‘Life As A Song’ is a look a mixture of Jack Johnson, John August is that “the band won’t to add to your playlists. appeared in an episode of “La- back to what I’ve done. I wrote Mayer and Jason Mraz. Skisti- break up.” However, he says “First Time For Everything” is Five Times guna Beach.” songs that I’m proud of but mas is able to shift between that he can see himself going August’s attempt at trying to shed the This appearance set off a never produced the album I these sounds without losing off and experimenting with a memory of his most recent failed relation- chain reaction that led to an wanted,” Skistimas said, “Once an identity that is uniquely his different genre. Currently, he ship. Skistimas reminisces about the good increase in plays on Five Times I did that I could close the book own. is reeducating himself on the times the two had; he sings about them standing in the first place they met, the August’s Myspace page, as well on that chapter.” Skistimas exhibited all as- guitar; since he is self-taught, first place they kissed and where they took as an increase in EP sales on On Monday, March 29, Skisti- pects of his music in Mon- Skistimas notes that the guitar their first photograph. iTunes. Once Skistimas was able mas brought the sound of Five day’s performance, giving The “still feels strange.” He can see It isn’t until the hook that the true to finish up a full-length album, Times August to The Univer- University crowd more than his next batch of music being emotion of the song comes out. Skisti- “Fry Street,” he forwarded it sity campus, performing in the it could ask for. The set lasted more guitar driven as he teach- mas sings “you’re fine and I believe it / I’m over to the music head at MTV. Moskovitz Theatre. The singer- nearly an hour and a half, and es himself more about music something you never needed / I can’t say the same for you.” This hook leads into the The music supervisor at MTV songwriter put on a captivat- included the majority of his hits theory. chorus, in which Skistimas proclaims he’ll networked the album with mu- ing performance that not only along with three covers, Fleet- Whatever path Skistimas de- be okay, he’ll fall in love again, but as far sic supervisors within the in- pleased the crowd due to his wood Mac’s “Landslide,” “The cides to go down, we know that as this girl is concerned he’s “never com- dustry. The album eventually music but also with his humor. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme his passion for music won’t be ing back.” found its way to HBO, when Skistimas has a stage pres- and Oasis “Don’t Go Away.” too far behind. As an indepen- Not only does Skistimas provide listen- their supervisor picked up “Do ence to him that separates him As the night seemed as dent artist, he feels his career ers with powerful vocals, but the instru- mentals driving them gives the listener a It Again” for the music in their from egotistical musicians in though it may be through, the “is always on the up, regardless sense of empowerment with their quick 2008 season promo. the industry. His ability to relate crowd cheered for an encore of whether it is slow or fast.” tempo, giving anyone who has recently Skistimas notes one of the to the college crowd makes his that Skistimas could not turn “Either way, I won’t let it [my experienced heartbreak in their lives an advantages to an independent music so accessible. He notes down. The singer-songwriter re- career] fall.” anthem to rock out to. Campus Comment If you could have the world speak any language, what would it be? “Mandarin Chinese.” “Piraha.” “Pig Latin.” “Any Native American language.” “Gaelic.” Alli Carbone Maria Gubbiotti Marie Perry Grall Pfisterer Matt “Hobbs” Tirella Sophomore, Randolph, NJ Junior, Falls Sophomore, Pine Bush, NY Sophomore, Chappagua, NY Grad, Holmdel, NJ.