Bruce Berquist is an Artist and a committed Professional in the Art of Music. Bruce is a well traveled man, geographically, personally and spiritually. He has trekked the world, its nations, its mountains, its valleys, its wilderness, its cities, its cultures and religions. As a musician, poet, songwriter and composer, all of his life he has been an intrigued explorer of all of the worlds emotions and cultures, its beliefs and religions, its darkness and its brightness, of people's differences and what we all have in common here in Gods great creation. He has experienced very dark times and looks forward to the brightest times yet to come. Music is a very deep level of communication, and communication is the key at the very heart of all human relatedness in this world. It is the bridge that will take us far beyond. Bruce created and founded Double Rainbow Music & Productions in 1988. Bruce founded Double Rainbow on a commitment, and a stand, for authentic world-wide relatedness through music. So, though most all genres of music are considered and accepted, Bruce has a preference for World Music and Genre Crossover Music, with intercultural and cross cultural influences. Bruce has contributed to band development, productions, and the release of several albums.
Music is my life. I was born into it and I will die with it. My greatest stand in life in this world is that of Authentic Worldwide Relatedness. Music is the greatest and most universal communicator with which to influence that.
I have been and am always in the midst of realizing my Dream. My Dream is always with me in what I do, and I always live in the wonderful pursuit of realizing my Dream.
I started my dream, conviction, and activism for Authentic Worldwide Relatedness in 1988, and it is still my top stand and conviction today. Since I am a Musician/Composer/Teacher, and music really is a universal language in all cultures around the World, music is my means by which to effect Authentic Worldwide Relatedness.
Wow! You are going to ask a lifelong (since 6 years old) creative musician for a "most" memorable song? There are so many! I will pull the first one that comes to my mind at this moment. From back in my childhood in the 60s "The Sound Of Silence" was a very significant song.
I am forever young and learning and discovering in my being as a musician, so I have never gotten stuck in my old age of not wanting to appreciate the newest creations, styles, and genres in our world. In some of the newer music I enjoy "Kongos" immensely. Currently I have been exploring and enjoying a new genre of music that many call "Folk Metal". I love it! My all time favorite band is "Pink Floyd". I have been a fan since childhood. Richard Wright and David Gilmour rise to the top of my many favorite artists, along with Led Zep's artists, and Peter Gabriel. I can start getting into Jazz and Blues favorites, but I think I'll stop at this.
Almost anything in life inspires or triggers me at various times, whether it be bright, dark, or in between in theme and nature. Much of my material reveals that I am an experiential observer who speaks out on issues, conditions, and emotions. Sometimes I even take to using Satire. I am not so much a storyteller, but most of my fans speak positively of how my music affects them. One thing i do know is that making music is a literal function of my body and my being, and I couldn't and will not stop till my soul leaves this life.
Most of my messages are of respect for cultures an of a world of wonderful diversity. Most of the music I compose, regardless of genre, contain cultural and tribal musical crossovers in it's content. I also tend to speak in support of Human Rights, and the protection of our environment and the legacy that we must care about that we leave for our children's children. I am not shy to observe and point out the ever-present human follies of reckless politics and power-mongering, and the ever destructive ways of Corporate Greed. I also sing of love and joy and nature, and of the longing for meaning in life.
When I was 5 - 6 years old, I had an ambitious piano teacher who would enter me into large public recitals. I learned quickly of how to cope with stage fright. That was until I was 18 and my band opened up a show for The Cars. Walking on to the stage, I could feel an almost numbing enormity of the crowd. But when the lights hit the stage, and the speakers crackled out the sound of our instruments, I suddenly felt a solid excited joy (maybe adrenaline and endorphins) that washed away the fears and anxieties into the background. After that night, I have always longed for the opportunities that would bring that wonderful feeling back.
What I have seen in my time as a performing, composing and recording musician has been a lot of change, mostly on the business end of the industry. I experienced years of wanting to be discovered by a major labels, because they were where the big opportunities and the money were at. It was the glorified dream of most musicians, yet the experience of a relative few. I remember fighting to protect our gig venues from the invasion of Disco. Money and the growing popularity for Disco ultimately won. In the 80s, bands starting winning the stages back, but with new technology that influenced a new sound. welcome to MIDI, effects tools, and drum machines... an exciting time for a keyboard player like me. The record companies still ruled, but some examples were beginning to be seen of rising independent artists and independent boutique record labels. I started one myself. In the 90s and into the 21st century the money was record industry was seeing much less for lucrative opportunities, with Independent artist were discovering the new relative affordability of home and boutique studios. Earning money from record sales was not as lucrative as playing gigs and concerts, backed up with the sale of merchandise. Now bands and managers are seeing a reversal in marketing that now prioritizes performance and tours above album sales. Albums function much better as marketing and fan retention tools. The majority of record companies that now survive are the ones that observed the trends and adjusted to follow them and participate in them.
Drooble is a combination of fun and socialization combined with support and productivity opportunities. It is wonderful that it is a no cost membership with upload and marketing opportunities, without the big sales push to force members to buy into absorbently expensive premium memberships, as so many other apps and services are doing. That just is anti-productive to encouraging the growth of new artists and the industry, leaving the artists out of resources and on the wayside in disappointment. Drooble's commitment and advocacy for musicians and the industry is apparent and is admirable. The services offered are at fair prices and many are even available on "Karma"... KOOL! THANK YOU! Musically Yours Bruce Berquist
Very recently, it is the ever so putrid trend of apps and services practicing deceptive and manipulative strategies on "trial' "demo" and supposedly "FREE" products. It's a practice that needs to be ended! If it is not actually free, LEAVE THE "FREE" WORD OUT OF YOUR ADVERTISING!!! AND on top of that DON'T SLAP A BIG OBTUSE WATERMARK ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF ARTIST'S MIXES OF VIDEO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. How is an artist to determine his desire to purchase if he can not share a clear view of his video for his friends, teachers, etc approval or critique??? PLEASE! It is okay to display your Brand on a demo copy, but PLEASE! place it on a corner of the visible screen, not in the middle. (okay, breath)
I attend Gigs and Concerts I Teach music I Coach and Mentor Musicians I advocated for musicians, the music industry, and for musical and educational programs
A term that I commonly use is "God did not give you the gift of music for your personal benefit" "He gave it to you to benefit others" So share, share and share! Don't be fearful and overly protective of your ownership of what you create. Share! Your giving will come back to you in numbers. I'm not saying "give it away for free". Your Music has great value and you should treat it as that. Don't EVER give it away to some cheap-skate venue for "EXPOSURE or "PROMO'. If you must do a freebie, see to it that is is for a good cause or benefit. NEVER back off of your value. That is exactly what your fans and new fans are coming to you for.
When I worked as an Artist Manager in the Seattle/Portland region I worked with a number of great artists who were up to great things. A few of them did get picked up into greater things, such as major bands, organizations, labels, tours and projects. Most of then definitely deserve success. Don Baragiano Darci Carlson Joel Gamble SuperFekta Pamela Moore Audrie Moore Ashraf Hakim Michael "Cat" Catiis There are more...