Jesse Rubenfeld was still a student at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001 when a once in a lifetime opportunity came his way. Aspiring singer-songwriters everywhere would love the chance to take a master class from one of their musical heroes—in Rubenfeld’s case, the legendary Billy Joel—but few possess the kind of courage the young singer and pianist summoned when he took the stage before Joel and 1,200 others and performed “A Friend In Bill” as a tribute to the Piano Man. Joel saw a kindred spirit, everyone stood and cheered and Rubenfeld has been pumped ever since to rise to the great potential of that life and career defining moment.
A few short years later, the Houston bred, New York based artist is living his dream, building a grass roots fan base with regular gigs with his band throughout Manhattan, from legendary venues like The Bitter End to The Triad, Don Hill’s and Rockwood Music Hall. Focusing on his trademark strengths of emotional honesty, piano and retro-keyboard (Rhodes, Hammond B-3) driven musical textures and colorful, Crosby, Stills & Nash type vocal harmonies, Rubenfeld follows his critically acclaimed early 2007 EP release Let It Go with his highly anticipated, provocative and compelling full length debut Silken Walls.
Silken Walls is now available on iTunes, CD Baby and emusic, and will also be featured on the new LimeWire Store. Rubenfeld’s ultra cool “day job” for the past two years has been Chief Financial Officer for the file-sharing software giant. It’s the perfect place to merge his musical passions—which began with an incredible 12 years of classical piano training—and his strong business acumen, while also putting his business degree to work. “It’s a day job that plays well into my artistic interests,” he says, “but clearly I’m focused on being able to write, record and perform music full time.”
While the Joel influence is inescapable throughout Silken Walls, Rubenfeld expresses his emotions and spirited, thoughtful reflections about romantic relationships and the pursuit of dreams with a rich originality that blends classic piano and keyboard driven pop rock with harmonic inspiration from his other favorite artists The Eagles, Maroon 5, CSNY and John Legend. “I’m very proud of the way I convey these emotional snapshots of my life over the past few years over the course of the eleven songs,” he says. “Love is certainly a dominant theme in my songs—love and women and trying to figure things out on an emotional level. There are intimate moments in all of our personal relationships that tap into universal feelings that everyone shares, and those are the emotions I love to express.”
Though some who have listened wonder if there are sexual overtones in the lyrics of the sweeping and wistfully romantic opening title track, in actuality, the “Silken Walls” refer to the lush softness of a woman’s long straight beautiful hair as a metaphor for the relationship. “Take You Home” is a funky, dynamically produced, real brass-enhanced rock tune that takes an optimistic look at the courting process. Showcasing his remarkable diversity, Rubenfeld follows the seductive, acoustic guitar enhanced James Taylor vibing “Another Touch” with “So Hot Right Now,” an explosive high energy, electric guitar propelled rock ballad that stands as a departure from the rest of Silken Walls; the energy of the track dictates that it be piano and keyboard free! Another song that takes Rubenfeld slightly out of his comfort zone is the percussive, New Orleans meets country/bluegrass flavored “When You Need My Love.”
Back to his trademark graceful piano style, Rubenfeld reaches the starry eyed romantic in all of us on the anthemic “All For Something” and taps into his classical background on the hypnotic (and vocal free) piano solo “Erev X-mas” (a lovely track perfect as background for holiday parties). Finally, he incorporates Queen-like vocal harmonies and lively, high energy Allman Brothers piano licks on “Thoughts About The Future,” which finds Rubenfeld looking back on the hardships of his musical journey, determined to forge ahead come what may. He also taps into a Southern rock front porch feeling on “Love Began,” a rich chronicle of the end of a relationship that shows the way the heart grows even when things don’t work out.
“The most difficult part of being a songwriter is not that it requires a lot of self-exploration and intimacy with the subjects of the songs (which is certainly not easy), but that you must universalize that and render it unshakably sticky,” he says. “But there’s no greater feeling than overcoming creative obstacles and conveying everything I set out to say. Over the last few years I have been getting to know myself musically and learned how best to convey my feelings and thoughts in a straightforward manner within the context of accessible pop music. I’m excited about sharing myself with people in a way that resonates with everyone. I hope the listeners feel happy on the happy songs, remember their lost loves on ‘Love Began,’ think of the mystery and fascination of women when they hear ‘Silken Walls,’ reflect on the beauty in general while enjoying ‘Erev X-mas’ and remember how to appreciate their special people when they hear ‘All For Something.’ Being a songwriter makes you a true voice of humanity, and that’s a wonderful responsibility I try to live up to every day.”
Hi there, Jesse Rubenfeld! We'd love to design a custom MySpace profile for you! We also offer full website design, flyer/poster design, and more. Check out our portfolio on our MySpace page.
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Hello Jesse how are ya? it's been awhile, hope everything's well. When you get a little time, stop by & check out some changes/additions to my page. New tunes, Read the Elo-Kin manuscript Sign my guest book or Just say HELLO:-) Wishing you the best! Peace
I recently visited, and performed for the troops in Iraq! If you click on the picture of me and the troops, below, you can download an EXCLUSIVE track for FREE from my album ‘Live From Iraq.’ Support the troops!
I’m currently in the UK touring right now; all upcoming dates are listed on my MySpace page, so if I’m in a town near you, pop down and say hello
Hey Jesse how are ya? I'm stoppin in to wish you well & let you know my CD "Remixing it up" is now available through CDBaby. com. Check it out & Spread the word:-) Thanks Elo-Kin
Hey Jesse How are ya? When you have a little time, I would really appreciate you stoppin by & signing my guestbook. Thanks & have a great weekend:-) Elo-Kin
Hey Jesse how are ya? When you have a chance please check out the new Rocked-Out remix of "Change of Season" by Studio L.A.G. I would love your feedback. Thanks & enjoy a great day:-) Elo-Kin
Hey Jesse how are ya? When you have a chance please check out the new Rocked-Out remix of "Change of Season" by Studio L.A.G. I would love your feedback. Thanks & enjoy a great day:-) Elo-Kin
Hey there, how are you? Please stop by and check the remix of my track "I Don't Mind" done by Rawside Ent. I'd luv to know what you think. Thank you & Enjoy a sweet day:-) Elo-Kin
Hey Jesse how are you? I hope well. When you have some time please stop by & check out the remix of (I Don't Mind) done by Groove Syntax. I'd like to know what you think. Thank you for the friendship & support I really appreciate it. Elo-kin
Are you coming to see Furly's show on the 8th?
You can get discounted tickets at our myspace page myspace. com/furlymusic
The new lineup is killer and we will be sure to rock your socks off so maybe bring an extra pair of socks.
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