L-r: songwriter Richard Sokolow, record producer Anthony Resta, engineer Karyadi Sutedja and "American Idol" finalist Erika Van Pelt at the recording studio.
Local Musician Harmonizes with ‘American Idol’ Singer- Written by AMY FORMAN for the Jewish Journal September 19, 2013.
L-r: songwriter Richard Sokolow, record producer Anthony Resta, engineer Karyadi Sutedja and "American Idol" finalist Erika Van Pelt at the recording studio.
Jewish Journal Staff
LYNNFIELD — For many years, Rich Sokolow has been making music. The Lynnfield entrepreneur has played piano and been the lead singer in several bands, appeared in the 80’s Boston club scene, and written his share of rock and pop music. Now, at 54 years old, Sokolow is finding new success by connecting song lyrics he’s penned with aspiring young singers.
His latest partnership is with "American Idol" Season 11 finalist Erika Van Pelt. In addition to being involved in the writing of six songs on Van Pelt’s debut album, "My Independence," Sokolow also is executive producer for the album. The first single from the album — "Listen, Learn, Then Delete" — was released on July 31.
"Erika is just wonderful to work with," Sokolow said of the Rhode Island native. "She is very creative in the studio. Anything I have written, she raises it with her vocal abilities."
Van Pelt will be performing in malls across New England this fall in connection with the album’s release in early October.
Sokolow’s successful venture into the music industry marks the mination of his lifelong interest and involvement with music. Growing up in Marblehead (where his parents Herman and Marilyn still live), Sokolow took piano lessons and sang in the high school chorus. At Tufts University, he double majored in music and economics, all the while studying jazz piano and performing in bands.
Upon graduating in 1980, Sokolow launched a real estate and construction business while continuing to play piano and sing in various bands — Flyer, and Frontier Pilots — at Boston clubs like Johnny D’s and the Channel. Though he did put out an independent CD, Sokolow felt he wasn’t getting traction in the music business, and put music on hold after marrying Michelle Harris in 1991. The couple has two daughters, Amy and Janna.
"Music takes so much time and creative energy that I kind of put it aside while I was raising my family," said Sokolow, who focused his attention on his growing businesses, now including commercial lending company Atlantic Credit Corp. and Interstate Auto Auction.
Sokolow is also active in the Jewish community, leading musical Shabbat services at Temple Ner Tamid, and serving on the boards of the NSJCC and the JFNS.
As his daughters grew and he achieved success in his business endeavors, Sokolow felt himself drawn once again to music.
"I felt like I wasn’t finished with music," he said, recalling how he began to write songs again, and joined a Boston songwriting group. The consistent feedback from that group allowed him to better understand the craft of song writing, and Sokolow believes he is a much better songwriter today than he was in his youth.
"I thought about how I was going to present these songs to an audience," Sokolow said. "Being around 50, it wasn’t going to happen with me as a singer or part of a band. I came up with the idea of finding a promising artist to perform my songs, so that I could use my business skills and could invest in the production and marketing of the music."
An inquiry on Berklee’s website led to a connection with Clara Lofaro. With three independent albums and a stint as the singer on the Disney Super Bowl commercials, Lofaro had already achieved some modest success. Together, they produced Lofaro’s self-named album. "Just Smile" — a song co-written by Sokolow and sung by Lofaro — was selected for a national Vanity Fair napkin commercial that aired much of last year. The song remains under contract for use by the company on the internet.
Since the success of "Just Smile," a number of other songs on Lofaro’s album have aired on national TV shows, such as "Dance Moms" ("Send Me a Lifeline" was co-written by Sokolow and Brookline’s Hadassah Havivah Zeltzer) and "Last Call with Carson Daly."
While still writing songs with Lofaro, Sokolow decided to find an artist with a bigger platform and audience. That search led him to contact recent "American Idol" finalists from New England, and ultimately to Van Pelt. In September 2012, the pair began working on an album.
As an investor in the project, Sokolow has relished the opportunity to comingle his love of music and songwriting with his business background. His role as executive producer allowed him to select music and music producers, and to decide how best to showcase the music and artist to compete on a national level. He also played an active role in the production of the music video, and continues to oversee marketing efforts, the use of social media and pitches to music supervisors and online music publishers for placement opportunities.
For her part, Van Pelt has launched a kickstarter campaign to help boost sales of the independent album. Since Van Pelt is well-known in southern New England, Sokolow hopes to get local and regional radio stations to play her songs, with the goal of national airplay.
"My future (in the music industry) is tied to the success of this album," said Sokolow. "In order for my career to go to the next level, this album will have to gain some national recognition."
Waiting in the wings are musicians close to his heart — the Klezmer band Sababa — which was formed by his teenage daughters and some friends. Sokolow is the music director for Sababa. The band is gaining some recognition. In addition to putting out a new music video, Sababa just performed at the International Festival in Peabody, and has upcoming gigs at the Topsfield Fair and Aviv’s Latkepalooza.
Whether working with his children or professional singers, Sokolow understands that music allows him to express his creative side and knows that it will continue to be a major part of his life.
"It is extremely exciting and also extremely hard work," he said. "But the rewards are just so great. "
For more, go to richsokolowmusic. com. The music video for "Listen, Learn, Then Delete" can be found at youtube.com/watch?v=vpEpN3demVk.
Jewish Journal Staff
LYNNFIELD — For many years, Rich Sokolow has been making music. The Lynnfield entrepreneur has played piano and been the lead singer in several bands, appeared in the 80’s Boston club scene, and written his share of rock and pop music. Now, at 54 years old, Sokolow is finding new success by connecting song lyrics he’s penned with aspiring young singers.
His latest partnership is with "American Idol" Season 11 finalist Erika Van Pelt. In addition to being involved in the writing of six songs on Van Pelt’s debut album, "My Independence," Sokolow also is executive producer for the album. The first single from the album — "Listen, Learn, Then Delete" — was released on July 31.
"Erika is just wonderful to work with," Sokolow said of the Rhode Island native. "She is very creative in the studio. Anything I have written, she raises it with her vocal abilities."
Van Pelt will be performing in malls across New England this fall in connection with the album’s release in early October.
Sokolow’s successful venture into the music industry marks the mination of his lifelong interest and involvement with music. Growing up in Marblehead (where his parents Herman and Marilyn still live), Sokolow took piano lessons and sang in the high school chorus. At Tufts University, he double majored in music and economics, all the while studying jazz piano and performing in bands.
Upon graduating in 1980, Sokolow launched a real estate and construction business while continuing to play piano and sing in various bands — Flyer, and Frontier Pilots — at Boston clubs like Johnny D’s and the Channel. Though he did put out an independent CD, Sokolow felt he wasn’t getting traction in the music business, and put music on hold after marrying Michelle Harris in 1991. The couple has two daughters, Amy and Janna.
"Music takes so much time and creative energy that I kind of put it aside while I was raising my family," said Sokolow, who focused his attention on his growing businesses, now including commercial lending company Atlantic Credit Corp. and Interstate Auto Auction.
Sokolow is also active in the Jewish community, leading musical Shabbat services at Temple Ner Tamid, and serving on the boards of the NSJCC and the JFNS.
As his daughters grew and he achieved success in his business endeavors, Sokolow felt himself drawn once again to music.
"I felt like I wasn’t finished with music," he said, recalling how he began to write songs again, and joined a Boston songwriting group. The consistent feedback from that group allowed him to better understand the craft of song writing, and Sokolow believes he is a much better songwriter today than he was in his youth.
"I thought about how I was going to present these songs to an audience," Sokolow said. "Being around 50, it wasn’t going to happen with me as a singer or part of a band. I came up with the idea of finding a promising artist to perform my songs, so that I could use my business skills and could invest in the production and marketing of the music."
An inquiry on Berklee’s website led to a connection with Clara Lofaro. With three independent albums and a stint as the singer on the Disney Super Bowl commercials, Lofaro had already achieved some modest success. Together, they produced Lofaro’s self-named album. "Just Smile" — a song co-written by Sokolow and sung by Lofaro — was selected for a national Vanity Fair napkin commercial that aired much of last year. The song remains under contract for use by the company on the internet.
Since the success of "Just Smile," a number of other songs on Lofaro’s album have aired on national TV shows, such as "Dance Moms" ("Send Me a Lifeline" was co-written by Sokolow and Brookline’s Hadassah Havivah Zeltzer) and "Last Call with Carson Daly."
While still writing songs with Lofaro, Sokolow decided to find an artist with a bigger platform and audience. That search led him to contact recent "American Idol" finalists from New England, and ultimately to Van Pelt. In September 2012, the pair began working on an album.
As an investor in the project, Sokolow has relished the opportunity to comingle his love of music and songwriting with his business background. His role as executive producer allowed him to select music and music producers, and to decide how best to showcase the music and artist to compete on a national level. He also played an active role in the production of the music video, and continues to oversee marketing efforts, the use of social media and pitches to music supervisors and online music publishers for placement opportunities.
For her part, Van Pelt has launched a kickstarter campaign to help boost sales of the independent album. Since Van Pelt is well-known in southern New England, Sokolow hopes to get local and regional radio stations to play her songs, with the goal of national airplay.
"My future (in the music industry) is tied to the success of this album," said Sokolow. "In order for my career to go to the next level, this album will have to gain some national recognition."
Waiting in the wings are musicians close to his heart — the Klezmer band Sababa — which was formed by his teenage daughters and some friends. Sokolow is the music director for Sababa. The band is gaining some recognition. In addition to putting out a new music video, Sababa just performed at the International Festival in Peabody, and has upcoming gigs at the Topsfield Fair and Aviv’s Latkepalooza.
Whether working with his children or professional singers, Sokolow understands that music allows him to express his creative side and knows that it will continue to be a major part of his life.
"It is extremely exciting and also extremely hard work," he said. "But the rewards are just so great. "
For more, go to richsokolowmusic. com. The music video for "Listen, Learn, Then Delete" can be found at youtube.com/watch?v=vpEpN3demVk.
My Independence Nominated for two New England Music Awards!
NEMA: And the nominees are...
The Lowell Sun
Updated: 01/02/2014 08:37:14 AM EST
Deer Tick, Kingsley Flood, and Gentlemen Hall are just three of the more than 100 bands and artists nominated for The New England Music Awards. The ceremony, which honors the year's best music from this six-state region, will take place Saturday, Feb. 22, at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The show will feature performances by some of this year's nominees -- such as The Mallett Brothers Band (Band of the Year, Album of the Year) and Hayley Sabella (Best New Act of the Year) -- and past winners like Sarah Borrello (last year's Best New Act). Boston comedian Steve Sweeney will host the show.
Voting for the NEMAs is open until Jan. 31. To cast your vote in any of the 23 categories, or to learn more about the New England Music Awards, visit nemusicawards.com.
Album of the Year
Negitivity, Deer Tick
My Independence, Erika Van Pelt
Battles, Kingsley Flood
Dankonia, Spose
Land, The Mallett Brothers Band
Indie/Pop Act of the Year
Coke Weed
Dan and the Wildfire
Darlingside
EMMARIE
Erika Van Pelt
The Lowell Sun
Updated: 01/02/2014 08:37:14 AM EST
Deer Tick, Kingsley Flood, and Gentlemen Hall are just three of the more than 100 bands and artists nominated for The New England Music Awards. The ceremony, which honors the year's best music from this six-state region, will take place Saturday, Feb. 22, at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The show will feature performances by some of this year's nominees -- such as The Mallett Brothers Band (Band of the Year, Album of the Year) and Hayley Sabella (Best New Act of the Year) -- and past winners like Sarah Borrello (last year's Best New Act). Boston comedian Steve Sweeney will host the show.
Voting for the NEMAs is open until Jan. 31. To cast your vote in any of the 23 categories, or to learn more about the New England Music Awards, visit nemusicawards.com.
Album of the Year
Negitivity, Deer Tick
My Independence, Erika Van Pelt
Battles, Kingsley Flood
Dankonia, Spose
Land, The Mallett Brothers Band
Indie/Pop Act of the Year
Coke Weed
Dan and the Wildfire
Darlingside
EMMARIE
Erika Van Pelt
You're Beautiful a top 10 selection-pop category
2019 Indie International Songwriting Contest
Rich's songs Watercolors and Just Smile featured on iHeart Radio Interview with Clara Lofaro. |
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Rich's songs and lead vocals with his 90's band Frontier Pilots featured in a SHOWTIME Movie!
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Smooth Operator (1995)
HEALING WAYS: Music by Richard Sokolow
Words by Elaine Richards & Richard Sokolow
Performed by Frontier Pilots
Produced by Bill Taylor
NEW EMOTION: Words & Music by Peter Wostrel & Richard Sokolow
Performed by Frontier Pilots
Produced by Bill Taylor
HEALING WAYS: Music by Richard Sokolow
Words by Elaine Richards & Richard Sokolow
Performed by Frontier Pilots
Produced by Bill Taylor
NEW EMOTION: Words & Music by Peter Wostrel & Richard Sokolow
Performed by Frontier Pilots
Produced by Bill Taylor
Singin' Her Love Songs written by Rich Sokolow and Kelly Riley
Your song has been selected as a Semi-Finalist in the 2021 International Songwriting Competition (ISC). We received more than 21,000 entries, and Semi-Finalists make up only 11% of all entries, so this is a remarkable achievement! Finalists will be selected from this group of Semi-Finalists." #isc2021semifinalist #singersongwriter #singing #lovesongs #countrymusic
New England Performer article about Rich's band Frontier Pilots-Album Review
