BLEU is a pop artist, professional songwriter and producer. His latest solo CD, FOUR, was released on his own record label through Redeye Distribution due in part to his very successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign for which he won “Best Music Project 2010” (Kickstarter Awards). FOUR has been critically admired in the press by LA Weekly, Sunday Times UK, Classic Rock Magazine UK, American Songwriter, All Music Guide, Boston Herald, Huffington Post and many more. Bleu’s work as a professional songwriter and producer has landed him cuts on Platinum and Gold selling records by artists like: Jonas Brothers, Boys Like Girls, Selena Gomez, Jon McLaughlin, Kate Voegele, Hanson and many more. He joined us for our 5GB series before the show.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
..well, the first one i can remember was actually Wilson Picket…he played an outdoor festival in VA that my parents took me too…i remember that he really knew how to work a crowd..he had people singing along and dancing…it was a pretty spectacular first concert experience..
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
..i’ve had a lot of good moments, for different reasons, but, Mercury Lounge, NYC, around 2002 always sticks out for me…it was the very first time i ever organized my “Get Up Choir” (then called the SHCC…Slap Happy Clap Choir)…we had bussed a bunch of people from Boston and had a tun of NYC volunteers too…over 30 all told..singing, shouting (and clapping) along…it was just one of those magical shows…the energy of the band, and the crowd (and the chOir!)…i felt all the cliches..like – i left my body and watched myself playing – it didn’t even feel like me up there, someone else was “playing me” – better than drugs – i felt like i was floating..etc…i’ll never forget it..
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
..hhmm?…it’s hard to chose..but..i’ve seen a couple Mike Viola shows that really “got me” (just love that guy)…Jon Brion at the old Largo was pretty magical….i saw Springsteen front-row on The Rising tour..amazing…..oh and freAkin’ Prince last year!!…pure, unadulterated, genius…
What is the gig you would most like to play?
…i’d love to open up for Rufus Wainwright..or Fiona Apple…
..in terms of venues….the classics – Madison Square Garden…The Garden in Boston…Budokan!…
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
..you mean as far as musicians?…honestly i love the guys i get to play with..Joe Seiders is the mAn! (he’d be with me on this tour if it weren’t for the fact that he juSt had twiiiNs..aAaaA!)..but i’m really psyched to be touring with this awesome “low string trio” (viola, cello, and standup-bass)….i guess if i could add anyone to the mix, i’d have Jon Brion running around playing different instruments on every song…
Catch Bleu & Air Traffic Control playing Eddie’s Attic Nov. 6th
