By: Rick Landers
Rebecca Berlin
For many in the Washington, D.C. area, Rebecca Berlin, seems to have appeared on the singer-songwriter scene from out of nowhere. But, her journey has taken a few twists and turns, and a long hiatus along the way.
She released a studio album a decade ago, focused on the world of music syncing, and was on the move performing her original songs; all systems “go”. Life had its challenges that needed tending to and her artistic ambitions were held in abeyance until recently.
Fast forward to 2023 and Rebecca could be found gaining a following with both her early songs, and new compositions that she’s driven to write about her life experiences and in a poignant way that draws audiences in with her lyrical expressions, melodic style and stunning vocals.
In fact, her work was recognized when she earned songwriting awards from the Songwriters Association of Washington’s annual Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest, that is open to songwriters around the world.
Her songs “Can’t Take You Out Of Me” (Finalist Award) and “Enough To Change” (Honorable Mention Award) were recognized in the Folk Acoustic category, in a large field of competing songs. And, her audiences are drawn even more to the tunes, with her banter that offers the feelings and experiences that prompted her writing.
Her ambition and altruism combine to good effect and she now finds herself gaining a reputation as an excellent singer-songwriter and one who is building an impressive fan base.
Berlin’s talents arrived honestly, given her mother’s career as an opera singer, so music wafted throughout their home when she learned to play the flute, piano and guitar, all the while singing.
From her initial open mic ventures, she’s quickly gained ground performing at a new 300-capacity Northern Virginia venue called, Earp’s Ordinary, the local legendary venue, Hank Dietle’s in Maryland and folks in New York City will be able to check out her talent at the Rockwood Music Hall on February 11, 2024.
Guitar International is pleased to introduce our readers to Rebecca Berlin and her most excellent songs.
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Rebecca Berlin
Rick Landers: To many local musicians in the D.C. area, you’re a newcomer to performing, but your story is one where you’ve navigated the ins and outs of music and made an album over a decade ago, right?
Rebecca Berlin: Yes, and it feels surreal to remember that! Music has always been a part of my identity, even when I was not pursuing it and so sometimes I have to remind myself that many people in my life did not even know I was a singer-songwriter until recently when I got back on the scene.
I did make an EP in 2005, and had started working on another recording in 2006/7, but then I set music aside. It feels like I pushed pause, and now am back in play, just with a longer time between the two than I would have anticipated.
Rick: During the time when your music career aspirations were, is dormant the right word, were you.writing songs or studying music?
Rebecca Berlin: I don’t think anyone who knows me would attach dormant to how I spend my time; if anything, I am known for pushing the boundaries of reasonability when it comes to how many balls are in the air. It is both my gift, and curse at times. But, to your question, I hardly wrote anything during those years.
When something really hard would happen, like our dog dying, I would write, as that has always been where I go to make sense of tough moments, but I didn’t really feel inspired or connected to songwriting other than that. I did study the cello for a couple of years and loved it, but “real life” kept getting in the way. I was actively pursuing dance and building my teaching career; Pilates, Yoga, Gyrotonic and it felt like I needed to funnel my attention to those things if I wanted to succeed.
Then, for a time, I had a strange vocal issue where I lost most of my range and was so discouraged that I hardly sang. I hadn’t realized what a huge part of my identity was wrapped up in being able to sing until I was faced with the fear of losing it. This, among other things, awakened my desire to return to music, even if just to reconnect to myself.
I started taking piano lessons in 2019, and my teacher heard me sing and really encouraged me, that I had a good voice. His support led me to take an online class at Berklee to see if I enjoyed it, as I had always wanted to finish my music degree, and once I did that, the fire was slowly but surely re-awakened. Ironically, when I decided to finish my degree, I went in with the intention of learning how to write for sync in film, tv, ads, as I thought I didn’t want to be on stage anymore. But the more I was immersed in music, the more I felt compelled to perform. It was a big surprise, but once I accepted it, it made so much sense. I finished my degree in June 2023 and made it my next goal to start performing live again, and here we are!
Rick: I understand you recently purchased a new guitar from Europe, right? Tell us about it and what other guitars you’re playing now.
Rebecca Berlin: Yes, I just purchased a Randon guitar, recommended by Gabor Udvarhelyi, a session guitarist I work with. It’s beautifully crafted and the company has a warrior theme in their branding that’s reflected in their design choices, from the shape of the fretboard, which ends in a point, like a sword, to a crest logo, and medieval looking inlay.
I was looking for a smaller guitar that would fit my size a little better, but didn’t want to sacrifice sound quality. It has a full and textured timbre and I love playing it! I also have an Alvarez Yairi dreadnought guitar that is really special to me. It was my first guitar, and has a rich tone personality. I have been playing with layering the two in recordings, which has been fun.
Rick: Did you first study piano, then guitar? Just how far back do your music inclinations go, and did you get some hand me down talent from your parents or teachers?
Rebecca Berlin: Funny story,I desperately wanted to play the flute when I was in first grade, but they said I was too small, so I had to do piano or violin. So, I started with the piano and the love affair began. I have fond memories of sitting at the upright in my parents house, singing along with the scales and practice exercises, which my teacher at the time used to yell at me about. I think she thought me singing was not paying attention, as I have always loved the sound of my voice mixing with the piano.
I studied until high school, and then continued playing on my own. Over the years, I have taken lessons here and there, and some classes, of course, at Berklee. I picked up the guitar in high school because I wanted something more portable than a piano, and started by teaching myself how to play my songs. I took a handful of lessons, but mostly just heard chords in my head and then found where my fingers needed to go to make that sound. It has led to the use of interesting voicing and while I take lessons now to work on finer details, I think starting with more of a play by ear method was good for me.
Rebecca Berlin
I definitely got hand me down talent. My mom is a trained opera singer and has her own music studio teaching voice and piano. Her mother and grandmother were also gifted singers, and I have always had a sharp ear, and gift for vocal harmonies. I have also been blessed to have some wonderful teachers who have encouraged me, and inspired me to think outside the box.
Rick: Songwriting seems to be a rather peculiar talent that sometimes comes naturally or it’s a learned craft, but in either case many stay in their lane, or they can become artists, venturing into different styles of music. Have you played around with different genre or checked out music that’s beyond or outside your comfort level?
Rebecca Berlin: I have always had an eclectic taste and enjoyed hearing new and different music, which informs my writing both lyrically and harmonically. I think that being open to incorporating elements that sound compelling to me has contributed to the uniqueness of my style. I have always had a pretty definitive “me” sound, but I love noticing how my songs shift based on what I am being influenced by or immersed in at the time.
Sometimes I work on writing in a different style as an exercise. For example, recently I was trying to write a synth pop song; I also will occasionally do a mimicry song, starting with a template of another artist and then making it my own. This jogs ideas and sometimes leads to material I end up using.
I have rarely worked on cover songs, but that is something I am planning to do this year as an exercise in noticing what others do in their craft and finding a way to still put my stamp as a performer on it.
Rick: I recall your first album was produced over a decade ago. What did you envision you’d experience once it was released, as far as a long-term goal, or was it more of a lark, more of a curiosity than maybe a dream to be realized?
Rebecca Berlin: When I made my first EP, I was in a program at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, and I hoped it would be the start of building a fan based performance career. At the time, I had a drummer, bass player and violinist who would play live with me, and was a regular at several open mics, busked in Santa Monica on the promenade and was starting to get some shows in the L.A. area. Shortly after I made it, a friend who had connections got it to the music supervisor for a show called, Fashion House, and I got a sync placement, which was really cool, and a song my drummer and I co-wrote was placed in an independent film.
Unfortunately, at that time in my life I was struggling with depression and some other personal demons and so it was a case of the right place at the wrong time, in that I was gaining momentum, but I couldn’t seize it because I was not okay. But, people who I have given the CD to still talk about it to me now, and remember the songs and that feels really good!
Rick: Now that you’re back performing, how has your approach to writing songs changed and are there any songwriters that have inspired you, with respect to following a similar career path?
Rebecca Berlin: Ani DiFranco is one of my big inspirations because of the way she weaves complex, evocative writing, and poetry into her songs, her individuality and boldness and also her constant evolution as a musician. I love that she has made it as an independent artist and the idea of doing things my way and for the people who are drawn to me is very appealing.
I would say in my writing I have always been vulnerable and honest, but I have been developing an even deeper layer of sharing from my heart, using my songs as a way to be even more authentic and raw, and not trying to be anything other than myself. It has been exciting to see what comes out and as I have been working with other musicians on my recordings, we have also been forging a style together.
Rick: Once you’ve written a song, do you consider what kinds of listeners will be drawn to its lyrical content and melodic style, and then do you come up with some kind of marketing strategy, possibly niche marketing to reach a specific “demographic”?
Rebecca Berlin: This question makes me wish that my answer was “yes, I have a codified marketing plan” but that is definitely not my forte. When I write, I usually don’t think about who will be drawn to it, as I believe that if I make and perform songs that are authentic, truthful and unique, I will find the people who want to listen to it. I have always had that experience.
At this time in my life, my largest goal is to be compelling-to stop people in their tracks and make them want to listen, or at least feel something for a moment, regardless of whether my style is what they usually gravitate towards. In music and life, one of my personal ethics is “what you see is what you get”; take me or leave me, this is who I am and what I do.
While I care about how I come off and, of course, want people to love what I’m making, it’s more important to me to stay true to myself than to fit in a box. That being said, I would love to have help marketing my music and artist identity, so readers, if that’s you, reach out!
Rick: Where are you recording your songs now and what do you find most appealing with respect to the studio you’re using?
Rebecca Berlin: I have a home studio setup in a spare bedroom where I track piano, guitar and vocals. My last project, Grief Triptych, was recorded, mixed and mastered there, other than cello which I hired out for. And then I have been working with some incredible musicians on Musiversal, an online platform, where you have live sessions on Zoom and then I add the tracks into my projects.
I have found an electric guitarist, bass player and cellist who have become my de facto band and then also several drummers and even a trombone player. It has really fueled my creativity and I am so lucky to have them to collaborate with. For this project, I will have an outside person mix it; for my recent single I used someone on Musiversal. I love that I can record so many parts at home and spend the time working on ideas without it becoming too expensive and the addition of the session musicians has been so fun, both musically and personally as we develop relationships with each other.
Rick: It’s tough to rely on music as a financially stable or sustainable career, are you balancing a regular day job with your musical aspirations, and do the two complement one another?
Rebecca Berlin: For the past 13 years I have been a Pilates-Yoga-Gyrotonic teacher full time, and I am so blessed to have a day job that I genuinely love, clients who are loyal and supportive of me, and the flexibility to pursue my music. Not having to make money on my music has freed me up to do it the way I want and to enjoy the process. Of course, I would love to make it more lucrative so I could do more of it, and I would like to start working as a session singer, for example, as an additional revenue stream, but for now my work has been very complementary with music.
I also have so many rich conversations with my clients that gets my songwriter brain going and the presentational aspect of what I do has added to my performance chops. The only downside is that I have a busy work schedule, so sometimes I have to take time off or move things around to make space to play shows, write and record.
Rick: Having a dream to become a known and respected songwriter and performer, typically means dealing with others who think it’s all a pipedream. Assuming you’ve had to deal with naysayers, how do you steel yourself to be resolute in your conviction that what some consider an unattainable ambition, is indeed, attainable?
Rebecca Berlin: Ironically, the loudest naysayer has often been the voice in my head, minimizing my gifts, convincing myself I am not enough, that what I have to say doesn’t matter, that I don’t have the charisma or the looks to get noticed, etcetera. While I have definitely had people say discouraging things to me, largely there has been support, which I am so lucky to have, from my parents and friends, clients, co-workers, etcetera.
I think people get excited when they sense someone is following their dreams and passions, in part because it is rare, and I have had people tell me that they really admire that about me, so that keeps me going when I have doubts. Life experience has also taught me that when I want something that feels large and maybe unattainable, to just keep showing up, do the work, put in the hours, and that the process will lead the way into opportunities.
This was my experience with dance and now I am seeing that with music and so as long as I stay connected to “what part of this can I do today” and the joy of trying. I can deal with the disappointments, vulnerability of wanting and not knowing where things will lead, and other challenges that are a part of being an artist.
Rick: Internal motivations aside, what external experiences keep your head to the grindstone; like the rewards of performing and having your songs enjoyed by others, etcetera?
Rebecca Berlin: One of my favorite things is when an audience member tells me they were moved by my songs. That is what I consider success. I am also always in awe when I can make people quiet down and listen, even in environments that are not usually listening rooms. And there is also the magic of creating and building music, the fact that it comes out of the air and I get to cultivate and craft it and share it; there is nothing cooler to me!
Rick: What can you tell us about the next album you plan on releasing, with respect to the style of music, is it more introspective and personal or more party animal?
Rebecca Berlin: If the party animal was attending a contemplative gathering where they served intense conversations and wine, instead of dancing and cake, then perhaps I would be releasing a party album But, actually I have a couple things coming. One is a series of single releases of old songs that I am revamping, and the second is an album called, Questions and Answers.
I saw a quote by Zora Neale Hurston, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer”. I love the idea of call and response in life, and how there are times of uncertainty and then other moments of distillation and understanding. The songs will be in that vein. I call my style, “folk with a twist”, as it has the elements of folk and musical theater storytelling, unique chords and song structure mixed with my writing style. I am excited to get it all together and share it.
Rick: In general, do you think songwriters are always on the prowl for their next adrenaline rush, seeking those moments when they come up with a lyrical phrase that in the moment feels emotionally perfect?
Rebecca Berlin: Maybe. I have never really thought about that. I think there is a palpable rush when you discover something interesting in a phrase or hit a melody that feels right, but I think I’m less seeking adrenaline and more seeking the feeling of being consumed in the song. There’s a certain energy for me when something is working, where I am drawn in, where I can feel that there is some magic. It’s a bit more of a quiet fire than fireworks. But, it definitely is worth chasing.
Rick: When crafting a song, do you have a favorite quiet place to write or can you ignore the outside world when writing?
Rebecca Berlin: Any place is fair game when I am in the cloud of songwriting. I easily go to a room in my head and can block out whatever is around me when I am in the flow. I find that moving gets me thinking, so taking dog walks has sometimes been where I write an entire song, Or, if I need a break, I take ballet class and then go back to writing with new perspective. I am constantly making links between things I experience and observe, so that web of information is always going in my head, and so for me, its just taking a pause from “life on the outside”, such as work and chores, and indulging my insides for a little bit.
Rick: What’s on the near horizon for you as far as building a career or avocation in music and have you given thought to giving back tin charitable ways to others who might find comfort or joy in your music?
Rebecca Berlin: Right now, I want get my singles and album finished and released, build my following and perform and would like to go on a tour, in the East coast to start, but then expanding. My Musiversal band and I have been talking about touring together and that is my big dream.
I also want to start working as a session singer, as I really like adding to other people’s projects, doing some co-writing and/or top lining for others. As far as giving back, yes, I would love to do that. I am interested in writing commissioned songs for others based on stories they tell me, particularly in the realm of grief and loss. I have a friend who does this on a large scale and I think that would be very special.
I also have a passion for Pitbull advocacy, eating disorder and mental health causes and plan to do some fundraising shows for those sorts of groups. Nobody gets where they are without help, certainly I have been blessed and elevated by so many people and it would be awesome to be a part of helping others.
Additionally, I feel like being honest in my writing and sharing real experiences and emotions allows others to normalize their own challenges and feel seen and, or connected. That is a large part of why I am out there performing. I think the meaning of life is held at the heart level, so I want to meet people there.
IG: @dognuggetandsmallfry
FB: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.b.presti/
Mailing List: hello@rebeccaberlin.com
