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Hi Mike, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
I’m doing great. I’m getting to play and write more music than ever before in my life, and I love it.
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Make It Rain?”
Living in California makes you a bit obsessive about rain, usually because there’s not enough and sometimes because there’s too much. By the way, Ed Tree plays a wonderful slide guitar on the track which really pulled it together in a nice way.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
We’ve been in a drought for several years so that probably got me thinking about it. I love it when it rains, the smells, the sounds, the way things seem to slow down a bit. And I was thinking of the times I’ve been in a dry spell, feeling lonely, and imagined the rain like love pouring down. By the way we’ve had lots of rain since it came out so I’ve been joking that the song worked!
The single comes off your latest release, Where I’m From, which is a line from the song “Hills of California,” correct? How did you land on that title for the album?
Most of the songs are strongly rooted in my experience of growing up and living here in Southern California for most of my life. So I felt it was kind of like a letter about me and where I’ve come from. I’m glad to see that this resonates with a lot of people.
You started writing Where I’m From in 2018. Can you tell us about the writing and recording process?
I’ve written on and off for most of the life but attending Richard Thompsons “Frets & Refains” songwriting and guitar camp really got me serious about the craft of songwriting. And then with spending more time at home in 2020 it really kicked into overdrive. I shared some of the songs with a few people I respected and was told “you need to make this into an album.” Fortunately I found the perfect collaborator to turn the sounds in my head into a finished album.
How did your relationship with producer Ed Tree develop?
Ed is a talented musician who has played on hundreds of sessions and toured the world with The Spencer Davis Band. He’s got wonderful musical instincts. He knows how to get the engineering out of the way and get a great sound. And he’s just a great guy to work with. He’s got this great rep in LA and if you work with him you know why.
The album features several musicians in addition to you and Ed. When you prepare for a show, how do you approach the challenge of presenting the songs in a live environment versus what we hear on the album?
I started out all the songs with solo renditions so I’m comfortable with that. If I could afford to take a band out with me more, I would, but it’s not easy. So I get to do a band gig now and then and the rest of the time I can make the songs work solo. I’m starting to add a second guitar which I think is going to make the sound richer and more appealing.
What role does California play in your music?
I come from the school of songwriters that builds on the truth of the human experience to express themselves. So it’s who I am… and where I’m from. If I’m honest in my songwriting, it’s always part of what’s in there.
You’ve mentioned some of your influences include The Byrds, Jackson Browne and Carole King. Are there any dream collaborators you’d like to work with?
I really hoped to get Greg Leisz (Jackson’s slide guitarist) on the album but it didn’t work out. Performing with Jay Dee Maness, who played with The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Eric Clapton, and hundreds of other great musicians was a dream for me. Jackson is still writing great stuff, I guess if I could write with him I’d feel like I’d hit the lottery.
What is your first musical memory? Any advice for other artists out there?
I grew up when Beatles music was everywhere, but I also loved folk music – I had a Pete Seeger album when I was a kid. Later I got to sing backup on stage for Pete, which was amazing. My advice is find what you love and do it as much as you can. No matter how many songs or how many musicians, if you find what only you can do you’re going to find something interesting and rewarding.
What else is happening next in Mike Berman’s world and where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
I’ve got a show coming up in North Hollywood on April 5. You can follow me on Bandsintown for shows, look for Mike Berman Music on Facebook, mikebermanmusic.com on the web, and Mike Berman on Bandcamp. Hope to be doing a couple of short tours this year but I’m still getting them set up.
