Acoustic Conversations

If there's a gimmick to Jake Oken-Berg, it's the run for Mayor. That's what gets you to ask, what's up with this guy? But that's where the gimmick ends. Because it turns out, he's as stone serious about politics as he is about his music. And when you close your eyes and Jake starts to play, you hear clearly why any loss to politics is a big win for music. He is hard on the keys, but he's not a Ben Folds-pounder. He's deliberate in his playing and laser-focused in his songwriting, pressing against the boundaries of piano pop.

Show Notes

If there's a gimmick to Jake Oken-Berg, it's the run for Mayor. That's what gets you to ask, what's up with this guy? But that's where the gimmick ends. Because it turns out, he's as stone serious about politics as he is about his music. And when you close your eyes and Jake starts to play, you hear clearly why any loss to politics is a big win for music. He is hard on the keys, but he's not a Ben Folds-pounder. He's deliberate in his playing and laser-focused in his songwriting, pressing against the boundaries of piano pop.

What is Acoustic Conversations?

Through 2008-2010, Pete Wright (http://trustory.fm/) and Curt Siffert (http://curtsiffert.com/) introduced a new singer/songwriter from in and around Portland, Oregon in each episode. All recordings were staged in Curt's living room in North Portland, all sitting performed on his red couch.

In 2010, Curt and Pete moved apart, and the show was put on permanent hiatus. Each episode is archived here for good measure and posterity.

Good talk. Great music. All free.