Val Emmich
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Val Matthew Emmich | |
|---|---|
 Val Emmich in concert in Atlanta, Georgia
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1979 |
| Origin | New Jersey |
| Genre(s) | Pop rock |
| Years active | 2001-Present |
| Label(s) | bluhammock Music |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Guitar and Piano | |
Val Emmich is a pop rock singer-songwriter from New Jersey.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Val Matthew Emmich was born in Manalapan Township, New Jersey. He is of Italian, Russian, and German ancestry. He attended Manalapan High School where he played soccer.[1] At age 15 he was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and had to give up all strenuous activities. During this time, he learned to play the guitar and began to write songs.[2]
[edit] Musical career
After graduating from Rutgers University in 2001 with a liberal arts degree, Emmich recorded an independent EP entitled the "15 Minute Relationship". He then recorded Slow Down Kid, a full length independent album produced by Wayne Dorrell. Still unsigned, Emmich recorded a video for his song, "Privacy Attracts A Crowd." The video appeared on MTV's Total Request Live, making him the first unsigned artist to appear on the show. He was then signed by Epic Records label Red Ink and recorded a new version of his Slow Down Kid album with four new songs.[3] The video of another track from the album,"Shock", was featured at LA's Hype Fest and Toronto's NEXT Festival.[4] In 2005 Emmich moved temporarily to Woodstock, New York and recorded another independent album, Songs, Volume 1: Woodstock which was released in 2007. The Woodstock sessions eventually became the independent studio album Sunlight Searchparty. In 2007, a track from the album "The Only One Lonely" won the best video category at the Independent Music Awards.[4] After recording Sunlight Searchparty, Emmich left Epic Records in 2006 due to artistic differences. In 2008, Emmich signed with bluhammock Music. His new album, Little Daggers is scheduled for release in September of 2008. On May 27, 2008, he released his first single from Little Daggers entitled "Get On With It".[5]
[edit] Acting career
Emmich began acting in 1997 to finance his college education. He appeared in a television ad for the Got Milk? campaign as well as advertisements for Burger King and At&T Wireless.[6] He has also appeared in small roles in the television shows Ed, Third Watch, and Hope & Faith. More recently he has appeared in NBC's 30 Rock with Tina Fey, and in ABC's Cashmere Mafia with Lucy Liu.[7]
[edit] Musical influences
Emmich has been influenced by a wide range of musicians including Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, the Beatles, Wilco, Bjork, and Radiohead.[8]
[edit] Discography
- Slow Down Kid (2001)
- Slow Down Kid (Red Ink version) (2003)
- Sunlight Searchparty (2006)
- Songs, Volume 1: Woodstock (2007)
- Little Daggers (2008)
[edit] Notes
- ^ La Gorce, tammy. "A Rocker Who Rocks to His Own Beat (and CD)", The New York Times, December 2, 2007. Accessed June 8, 2008. "“So I just went,” said Mr. Emmich, who grew up in Manalapan and graduated from Manalapan High School."
- ^ Livingston, Jennifer. "Aww Yeah! Val Emmich", ym.com, 2008-05-28. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. Val Emmich: Biography. Mtv.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ a b Val Emmich's Music Video For 'The Only One Lonely' Wins Independent Music Award. top40-charts.com (2007-12-19). Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
- ^ bluehammock Music (2008-03-02). Val Emmich signs with bluhammock!. bluhammock Press Release. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
- ^ La Gorce, Tammy (December 2, 2007), “A Rocker Who Rocks to His Own Beat (and CD)”, New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/02peoplenj.html?ref=nyregionspecial2>.
- ^ Val Emmich. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
- ^ Stixx, Amanda (2007). Interviews: Val Emmich. TheyWillRockYou.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
