David Baerwald
Encyclopedia
David Baerwald is an American
singer-songwriter
, composer
, and musician
.
He has one son, Beker Baerwald, who is a nationally ranked basketball player. He is the son of Hans Baerwald, a political scientist, and Diane Moore, a psychologist. He has two sisters: Andrea, a Braille translator; and Jan, a paralegal.
His songs can be found on 27 million albums sold in the US and Europe.
, with David Ricketts
. David and David's sole album, Boomtown, went platinum and stayed on the Billboard album chart for over a year, winning substantial critical acclaim. The duo split up following the success of that album for unexplained reasons.
Following the breakup of David and David, Baerwald focused on writing for others, often under pseudonyms, though he found time to record and release two albums: Bedtime Stories, a romantic album based on tales of suburban ennui and decay; and Triage, an ambitious narrative song-suite about the fringe-dwellers of America's paranoid and disaffected subcultures. Both albums were released to critical acclaim but did not see the commercial success that Boomtown did.
In fall of 1992, with friend and producer Bill Bottrell
, he cofounded the Tuesday Night Music Club
, which then helped launch the career of Sheryl Crow
.
His songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists ranging from the aforementioned Crow to artists as disparate as Japanese classical artists the Yoshida Brothers
, opera legend Luciano Pavarotti
, rebel-country frontrunner Waylon Jennings
, Bangles front woman Susanna Hoffs
, country star LeeAnn Rimes, jazz artist Holly Cole
, critic's darling Jesca Hoop
, and actor/singers Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Ewan Magregor, Ethan Hawke, Hayden Pannettiere, Ashley Simpson, and Steven Strait, among many others.
As a lyricist, Baerwald is known for his cold eye, precise language and occasional bursts of romanticism. As a composer, his taste ranges from derivations of the simplest of folk
-inspired melodies to instrumental music which is often experimental, cerebral and difficult to categorize, though usually containing a strong melodic line.
Outside of popular music, Baerwald has worked extensively as both a songwriter and instrumental score composer in film and television, including the Golden Globe-nominated song from the Baz Luhrman musical Moulin Rouge!
called "Come What May
", for which he also won the International Film Music Award, and which has been covered by a wide variety of international artists. He is also a skilled multi-instrumentalist, with a primary focus on stringed instruments.
Recent projects include the ABC shows, "Life Unexpected" and "October Road", and the Showtime series' "Sexual Healing" and "Pleasure For Sale". In 2009 he completed work on the Howard Zinn/Matt Damon/Chris Moore film "The People Speak", for which he also co-produced an album of the same name with long-term associate Tony Berg, featuring new performances from Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Randy Newman, Pink, Eddie Vedder, Taj Mahal, Jackson Browne, and others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
.
He has one son, Beker Baerwald, who is a nationally ranked basketball player. He is the son of Hans Baerwald, a political scientist, and Diane Moore, a psychologist. He has two sisters: Andrea, a Braille translator; and Jan, a paralegal.
His songs can be found on 27 million albums sold in the US and Europe.
Career
David Baerwald first came to prominence in 1987 as one half of the duo David & DavidDavid & David
David & David was an American rock duo composed of Los Angeles-based studio musicians David Baerwald and David Ricketts. They were best known for their debut single "Welcome to the Boomtown" from the album Boomtown. The single reached #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 and #8 on the Billboard Top...
, with David Ricketts
David Ricketts
David Ricketts is an American musician and record producer.Ricketts scored hits in the mid 1980s with David Baerwald in their group David & David, notably the track "Welcome to the Boomtown" from their only album Boomtown.His failed relationship with singer Toni Childs formed the basis for her...
. David and David's sole album, Boomtown, went platinum and stayed on the Billboard album chart for over a year, winning substantial critical acclaim. The duo split up following the success of that album for unexplained reasons.
Following the breakup of David and David, Baerwald focused on writing for others, often under pseudonyms, though he found time to record and release two albums: Bedtime Stories, a romantic album based on tales of suburban ennui and decay; and Triage, an ambitious narrative song-suite about the fringe-dwellers of America's paranoid and disaffected subcultures. Both albums were released to critical acclaim but did not see the commercial success that Boomtown did.
In fall of 1992, with friend and producer Bill Bottrell
Bill Bottrell
Bill Bottrell is an American record producer, songwriter and musician, probably best known for his Grammy Award-winning collaborations with Michael Jackson, E.L.O. and Sheryl Crow.- Biography :...
, he cofounded the Tuesday Night Music Club
Tuesday Night Music Club
Tuesday Night Music Club is the debut album from American singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow, released on August 3, 1993. The lead single "Run, Baby, Run" was not particularly successful...
, which then helped launch the career of Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
.
His songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists ranging from the aforementioned Crow to artists as disparate as Japanese classical artists the Yoshida Brothers
Yoshida Brothers
The Yoshida Kyōdai are Japanese musicians and have released several albums under the Domo Records internationally as the Yoshida Brothers....
, opera legend Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, rebel-country frontrunner Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, Bangles front woman Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Lee Hoffs is an American vocalist, guitarist and actress. She is best known as a member of the all-female pop band The Bangles.-Early life:...
, country star LeeAnn Rimes, jazz artist Holly Cole
Holly Cole
Holly Cole is a Canadian jazz singer, particularly popular in Canada and Japan for both her versatile and distinctive voice, along with her adventurous repertoire, which spans such divergent genres as show tunes, rock, and country music.-Holly Cole Trio:In 1983, Cole travelled to Toronto to seek a...
, critic's darling Jesca Hoop
Jesca Hoop
Jesca Ada Hoop is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Northern California, who writes and performs in diverse musical styles, under the initial encouragement and guidance of her former employer, musician Tom Waits.-Biography:...
, and actor/singers Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Ewan Magregor, Ethan Hawke, Hayden Pannettiere, Ashley Simpson, and Steven Strait, among many others.
As a lyricist, Baerwald is known for his cold eye, precise language and occasional bursts of romanticism. As a composer, his taste ranges from derivations of the simplest of folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
-inspired melodies to instrumental music which is often experimental, cerebral and difficult to categorize, though usually containing a strong melodic line.
Outside of popular music, Baerwald has worked extensively as both a songwriter and instrumental score composer in film and television, including the Golden Globe-nominated song from the Baz Luhrman musical Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 romantic jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. Following the Red Curtain Cinema principles, the film is based on the Orphean myth, La Traviata, and La Bohème...
called "Come What May
Come What May (2001 song)
"Come What May" phrase originates from Shakespeare's Macbeth and is along the meaning of let whatever events crop up come to pass. It is the love theme from Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film...
", for which he also won the International Film Music Award, and which has been covered by a wide variety of international artists. He is also a skilled multi-instrumentalist, with a primary focus on stringed instruments.
Recent projects include the ABC shows, "Life Unexpected" and "October Road", and the Showtime series' "Sexual Healing" and "Pleasure For Sale". In 2009 he completed work on the Howard Zinn/Matt Damon/Chris Moore film "The People Speak", for which he also co-produced an album of the same name with long-term associate Tony Berg, featuring new performances from Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Randy Newman, Pink, Eddie Vedder, Taj Mahal, Jackson Browne, and others.
Albums
- Boomtown (1986) David & David
- Bedtime Stories (1990)
- Triage (1992)
- Hurlyburly (1998)
- A Fine Mess (1999)
- Here Comes The New Folk Underground (2002)
Other contributions
- 107.1 KGSR Radio Austin - Broadcasts Vol.10 (2002) - "Political Science"