Seth Bernard was born and raised on a farm in Lake City, Michigan. After graduating from Lake City High School, Seth opted for a postgraduate year at Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied theatre, music and poetry. Shortly after graduation, Seth explored his acting talents in a feature film costarring with Ernest Borgnine. He spent the following fall living in New York, working for a music equipment rental company (a job landed to him by family friend and Rolling Stones roadie, Chuch Magee), and then hit the road with the National Theatre for Children, visiting schools all across the country, dressed as a six-foot-tall bug.
Seth then returned to his home in northern Michigan and began working on his debut album Hello Fellow Travelers, recorded in the home of his guitar teacher, Michael Macnamara. He decided to release it under the label name Earthwork. It was Earthwork's first album, though plenty of honey, maple syrup and beef from the herd of Scotch Highland Cattle had been sold under the label which was designed by his mother, Chris Bernard.
The Earthwork Music Collective was born, and close friends and collaborators Dan Kahn and Luke Winslow-King soon released albums with the Earthwork label. The collective grew its own identity as many more Michigan musicians began playing shows and recording together under the Earthwork name. Inspired by Woody Guthrie and the American folk tradition, they hosted an annual event at Seth's family farm that has continued as the Harvest Gathering, a music festival unique in its affordability, culinary splendor, intimacy, and at last count, over ninety performing bands. Seth's ability as a musician and songwriter is rivaled only by his ability as a community organizer.
In 2003, Daisy May Erlewine went to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival to see Patty Griffin perform at the Michigan Theatre and encountered Seth, also performing. The two soon hit it off and joined forces, performing and recording as a duo ever since. Their voices meld together in rare harmony. May's rhythm guitar frees him to take more leads, while lending strength and depth to his vocals and the occasional fiddle part. Seth, in turn lends his impeccable guitar playing to her instant classics, providing unending diversity in tastefully chosen rhythm, bass lines and leads.
Seth's other projects include HiLo, an annual analog recording project currently in its sixth year, and Airborne or Aquatic, a northern Michigan psychedelic roots-rock outfit.
As a performer, Seth is equally at home playing his introspective, socially-charged ballads as he is joining a 10 piece electric ensemble on lead vocals, bass, steel or electric guitar. He can shred with the best of them, but also bring it home with stylish, mellow fingerpicking. His singing is intimate and raw. In his latest recording effort, This Here, Seth's abilities at orchestration are apparent. With nearly 30 participating musicians representing the best of the Michigan folk, jazz and roots scenes, the album is nothing less than epic. It moves with theatric intent, and perhaps the greatest triumphs are the transitions between tunes---each carefully contemplated---bridging themes and ideas throughout the entire piece, the first of a two part life cycle. The second album in the series can be expected to hit the airwaves in the coming months.
Hi Seth, Thank for adding me. Just wanted to thank for hosting the Harvest Gathering once again. It's "like Christmas" as Chris Bathgate said, and my favorite thing of the year. Good people, amazing talent, and a great vibe that just makes me feel better about everything.
During your set you played a song--I think it was called "American Earth (title ?)". I'd love to hear that again--and will look for it on future releases.
I'll get you some photos of Harvest when I can process those.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Seth how are you!? I miss you much my friend, and I must tell you how completely proud I am of you, your music and the love and imformation you are spreading. I know with all of my heart that you are a great person. I love you very much, take good care. can't wait to see you
What a pleasure to hear you and Daisy at NorEast'r! I love the songs and the performances were just beautiful. Hope to see you again soon. All the best, - Dave
Flipping fantastic tunes as usual. Overhaul rules! Is this track available on a new record? And did you all leave the new records at any of the stores in A2, unfortunately i could not make the Ark show and could not pick up new material but would like too.
Happy Earth Day! May You embrace Mother Earth every day and take time to give reverence to her blessings.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle, 1855
I'm not an environmentalist. I'm an Earth warrior. ~Darryl Cherney
There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet. ~Brooke Medicine Eagle
And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. ~William Shakespeare
Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money. ~Cree Indian Proverb
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir
I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir, 1913, John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938
It was truly an honor, and a pleasure to see you a majority of the Earthwork Collective perform here in Big Rapids last night. To see such kind souls taking their gifts and spreading love throughout this broken World, is remarkable and inspirational. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Have fun with the tour, and keep up the good work Seth :) See you at Harvest!
