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To buy CD: Order from cdbaby.com. Contact: bruceirvingmusic@pobox.com.
Thanks for visiting my web site. The picture at right is the cover of my CD, "Jardin du Luxembourg," a collection of mostly acoustic pop and folk/country songs (you can hear previews of all 13 songs on CD Baby or buy individual songs on iTunes and on many other commercial download sites such as eMusic.com). I've been busy with other things these days, but my "next CD project" is sort of underway - I've written some new songs and recorded four of them so far, one of which is available on-line, a rocking country-boogie tune called "Gonna Start Winning." You can listen and download it at http://www.garageband.com/artist/bruceirving. I'm thinking I'll record another 9 songs or so one of these days. In the meantime, check out brother Doug's three CD's (also on CD Baby). You can also check out my recent obsession (actually a long time interest of mine), space exploration, at my blog Music of the Spheres (there are also a few pictures and links on the Bruce's Space Stuff page here - they are not really very recent, and I've set up a Flickr photo site to display pictures (mostly from Orbiter) which I often use in my blog).
General Information
I've been a singer/songwriter for quite a while, inspired by the Beatles, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, and many others over the years. The songs on my first CD are pretty eclectic - they may remind you of artists as diverse as the Beach Boys, Paul Simon, and Rodney Crowell. In addition to my CD, I have a number of songs available for free download, mostly on SoundClick.com (supports streaming and downloads). I also have an artist account on amazon Amazon.com (downloads only).
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My Background
I started writing songs as a freshmen at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, back before there were CD's and the Internet (yes, we did have electricity). I formed an acoustic duo with another CMU friend, Rob Simbeck, and we performed at coffee houses and at a bar called The Casbah. We were occasionally funny and usually in tune. We called ourselves Bruce and Rob (yes, we were creative too). I spent most of the 1980's in Los Angeles, California, where I once played the LA Songwriter's Showcase at the Improvisation in Hollywood (my 15 minutes of not-quite-fame).
Fast forward to real life. A lot of good, important stuff happened, family, kids, jobs, travel (this is a web page, not War and Peace). Somehow I became an optical engineer and a father. Along the way I continued to do music from time to time, played with flight sims on the PC, and finally got my pilot's license. In 2001 I noticed the internet MP3 revolution with the help of my (ahem) college-age daughter. I bought Home Studio 2002 to create an instant digital recording studio (needs a bit of hardware too, mikes and compressors and such). I have a secret software friend to help me with some arrangements (Band in a Box version 11, very cool).
To support live performances, I bought a small Yamaha PA system and an Alvarez acoustic/electric guitar. Oh yeah, and that little Martin Backpacker guitar so I can practice and write songs when I travel. Yes, it's partly about "stuff," but it's not ALL about "stuff."
Influences and Stuff
I seem to be influenced by almost everything I hear - I don't try to imitate anyone, but it all goes into the songwriting mix. Some of my favorite artists and writers are the Beatles, Sting, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Mozart, U2, James Taylor, the Pretenders, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Elvis Costello, Sarah McLachlan, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, CSNY, various Broadway shows, Dave Mathews, the Dixie Chicks, and Rodney Crowell. I'm still pretty wild about John Mayer, but I've been exploring a lot of lesser known singer/songwriters through iTunes, CD Baby, and other internet sources, and the talent that's out there is amazing - there are many "undiscovered" people who are as good as John Mayer. It's fun to discover this new music on the web. One of my recent faves is Suzie Vinnick (see the links page for some others).
Please check back for news on available MP3 files of my songs and performances in the Greater Boston area. You can also email me HERE.
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