Musician Rick Berlin discusses his latest album “WTF!?” and upcoming performance
Rick Berlin’s upcoming triple achievements in the music world are creating much buzz. On April 19, the Nickel & Dime Band is set to release their album WTF!?, perform at the Brighton Music Hall, and celebrate Rick Berlin’s 80th birthday. Rick’s musical career has been illustrious, spanning over five decades and featuring a myriad of bands. He began his music journey with Orchestra Luna in 1973 and currently leads The Nickel & Dime Band, crafting versatile music ranging from rock to ballads to show tunes to avant-garde classics.
Rick Berlin’s history with music dates back to his days as a free-spirited hitchhiking hippie, where he found himself drawn to improvising on random pianos he encountered during his travels. However, his formal musical exploration began during his time at Yale, where he indulged in music experimentation, often composing melodies to accompany his vivid visual imaginings while under the influence of psychedelics. Through his interactions with fellow artists, he discovered his knack for songwriting, leading him to pen tracks like “Little Sam” and countless others despite never having learned how to read music.
Despite his lack of formal musical training, Berlin’s songwriting process remains a fluid and intuitive experience. With a repertoire of around a thousand songs, he navigates through creative ebbs and flows, attributing his inspiration to simple ideas that spontaneously spark songs. When presenting his compositions to The Nickel & Dime Band, Berlin visualizes the band’s strengths and dynamic, having worked with the current lineup for about three years. The band members, skilled musicians in their own right, use Berlin’s demos as a launchpad to transform his songs into collaborative creations that reflect their collective energy and style.
Collaboration with The Nickel & Dime Band remains a key aspect of Berlin’s songwriting process, as he utilizes the band’s talents to breathe life into his compositions. Over the years, he has come to rely on the band’s ability to interpret his vision and elevate his songs with their inventive musicality. While occasionally crafting tunes that push the band outside their comfort zone, Berlin appreciates the collective effort in translating his ideas into a shared musical language. The mutual camaraderie and creative synergy between Berlin and his band members have been instrumental in shaping their distinctive sound and contributing to their continued musical success.