New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Ann Arbor based singer-songwriter
Vincent Colbert writes tunes that are heartrending yet filled with hope. His painstakingly honest lyrics and tender vocal delivery capture a sentiment many relate to. "I was drawn to music at a young age, and I quickly realized how it could impact people's lives in a positive way," Colbert said. "It's always been my hope that my music would somehow do that for others."
As a teenager, Colbert began collaborating with friends and family, writing his first songs as early as age 14. Over the years he's worked with many artists on various projects, including writing and releasing an EP and full-length with the indie/folk band Chalet Shalom. More recently he's turned his attention to his solo career with his debut EP Stranger In My House set to release in January 2015.
Stranger In My House encapsulates a phase in Colbert's life after moving to Michigan where he felt uneasy in his own skin, and uncomfortable in his own home. "It was especially difficult for me to transition to this new environment with no friends or connection to the local community, and those first two years living in Michigan are what I like to refer to as the dark days," explains Colbert. "During this difficult season I wrote prolifically, and much of what the new EP reflects on is this time in my life where I think the 'stranger' I'm referring to is me, or at least was me during that time."
In an effort to move beyond this dark period and to sort through the material born from it, Colbert toured with newfound friend and Michigan resident, Chris Dupont of Ann Arbor. "I had these songs that I was playing live that were really connecting with people and could have the potential to encourage those struggling to find elements of hope." Inspired by the tour and the response of listeners, Colbert immediately dove into recording Stranger In My House after returning home.
Opening the album with an ironically melodic hook and groovy beat, "Baseline" depicts reaching one's low point in life--but the voice of reason and the ray of light is realizing that we can all find someone to celebrate the good times with, and to hunker down and weather the storms with. On "Rose Yellow Moon" Colbert enlists simple yet elegant guitar phrases to tell the literal story of his dark days. The song opens up at the chorus with the memorable lyrical hook and mournful slide guitar perfectly capturing the tone of the song.
Whether playing solo with just his guitar and voice, or bolstered by a small ensemble of percussion, upright bass, keys, and mountain dulcimer,
Vincent Colbert's live shows always offer a warm and intimate experience.
