Seth Bernard

June 15, 2008

For Lake City singer/songwriter Seth Bernard, creating music his way requires a certain mindset. In many ways Bernard is an anomaly -- not only in his pursuit of his music but the path he has chosen for his life. He just released his CD “This Here,” a musical project that took 18 months and 29 musicians to create. This weekend he will play host to the Earthwork Family Weekend at his farm, a small folksy festival that is nearly sold out.
What sets Bernard apart from many of his contemporaries is his approach, not only with his music but in life itself.
“Put Seth and May (Seth’s musical and life partner) in Nashville and they would be household names,” said Chris Treter of Higher Grounds Trading Company. “Seth exemplifies someone who sees a world beyond his own. He is making a difference with his music, but also in how he chooses to live his life.”
Where Bernard chooses to live his life certainly is going against the trend of his generation. While Michigan has become a sieve for young professionals who are vacating the state as if it has some sort of contagious disease, Bernard has another take.
“I understand why my generation is leaving. But I see opportunity here in this state. I also see purpose in this state. I feel called to be a protector of the Great Lakes and a preserver of the lands we have here in Northern Michigan,” said Bernard. “There is this undercurrent going on in Michigan and so much opportunity exists here. Sure, I have traveled around the country and seen some very desirable places to live, but at the end of the day I really believe that those of us who stay and make this state work will be rewarded in the long run. Plus, the music scene is very strong in Michigan, from the number of musicians to people who support it.”

ON THE SCENE
While Bernard doesn’t like to label his music, he is grateful to be a part of the folk scene.
“There is more of a cooperative spirit than a competitive one. I hear about it from those that are gigging the local club rock and pop music scene on how competitive it is, and at times with a lot of back-biting and negativity,” said Bernard. “The scene I am part of, that just doesn’t exist. We all work together, support each others’ projects. Plus the veterans of our scene mentor us who are just getting started.”
Greg Brown is an example of that. The folk icon has been very supportive of Bernard and Earthwork Music. Last fall Brown was in Traverse City and had this to say about Bernard:
“When I listen to the music of Seth Bernard, I know he gets it. Seth -- while he is young -- he has an old soul,” said Brown. “I know that the future of music is in good hands with people like Seth around to be its caretaker. More importantly, I know the future of our world is in good hands.”
Bernard and his network of musicians see connectivity between their music and the world they live in.
“I think we are reaching a point in society that we are realizing that a lot of things we thought would work are not. For example, the business model for music has changed and I feel it parallels the food and farm movement in our world today,” said Bernard. “People are returning to small farms. The consumer wants to know where their food is coming from. I think the same can be said about music. People want a connection to their music and the musicians who make it as well. They want to know that their music is real and not manufactured solely for commercial purposes.”
Bernard structured his new CD “This Here,” like a book, with each song representing a chapter.
“This is not a CD that you hit ‘shuffle’ to listen to it. I have a larger vision for my albums. I want them to tell a story, in this case it is my story,” said Bernard. “This is how albums used to be made. I want this to be a total listening experience from the first song to the last, with a connection from song to song.”

JOURNEY OF REFLECTION
Bernard began envisioning the concept in the fall of 2006 with May, who is affectionately known to many in music circles as Daisy May. The two describe their relationship as “partners who live, love, work and play together.” The two plan to start soon on a collaborative CD they hope to release within the year. But for now, the focus is on the current project.
“It was a very long process and exhilarating journey of reflection that resulted in 30 to 40 songs,” said Bernard. “So I am releasing this in two parts. The first part ‘This Here’ is concrete, and the next CD ‘Is This You’ is more abstract. Collectively, the two create a life cycle in song.”
A big part of who Bernard is as a person is supporting those around him. To celebrate that part of his being, he invited 29 musicians to participate on the project.
“I am so blessed that all of these musicians agreed to participate,” he said. “They also embraced the concept and each was given total creative freedom.”
As for the future, Bernard has a simple vision.
“I have high hopes and I place few limitations on myself,” said Bernard. “I have my own definition of making it in this world. In some ways when I turned 28 a few weeks back, I felt as if I have already made it. I think about people who I admire, like Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, who both died at 27. I want to make music, pure and simple. I will make music even if I don’t get paid for it. Sure, I want it to be my career, but I also want to do what is right. Some might see my approach as a step backward. I don’t, because at the end of the day I want to write songs that are real, make good music, and live my life with a purpose that will make a difference. If I do those things, then I have made it.”

Seth Bernard’s new CD “This Here” goes on sale this week and is available at Higher Grounds (located at The Village at the Grand Traverse Commons), Unity and at the new Sound It Out
Records in downtown Traverse City. Bernard is touring the folk festival circuit this summer throughout Michigan. For a sampling of his music and for his touring schedule, go to myspace.com/earthworkmusiccollective.