news

Lately, I have not been doing much music because my creative energy has been getting poured into software development.

My day-job right now is Vice President of a FileMaker and Web consulting firm called The Moyer Group and it has been keeping me really busy.

You can check my personal website here for FileMaker and software development related stuff.

reviews

Incisive, clever personal tales

What Stark plays:

Incisive, clever songs that are personal without being maudlin. Next Love is about deciding to leave; Leave Her Alone, about the consequences of flirting with the wrong woman, displays a playful sense of humor. Stark's more serious side is on display in The Playground Song, in which the narrator struggles to recapture lost innocence.

In performance, guitarist Stark usually plays solo, although he uses studio musicians to flesh out his sound on his self-titled disc.

As a performer, Stark admires Bonnie Raitt, Ben Harper and Ray Charles ("I love a strong vocal"); as a songwriter, influences include the Beatles, Billy Joel and, believe it or not, early Van Halen. (Stark said the subject matter and style are very different, but he likes David Lee Roth's direct way with an image.)

History:

Born in Michigan, Stark grew up in Warwick. His brother bought a bass guitar, and Stark fell in love with the way it looked. When a neighbor bought an electric guitar, he borrowed it and started learning rock riffs.

He graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston with a major in songwriting, then joined a punkish Boston band called The Balls. The band kept losing its lead singers, so finally Stark took vocal lessons so he could sing.

When the band broke up, Stark had already written a collection of songs. "I figured, well, I've got all these songs that don't really fit the band's format, and now I can sing them."

The face is familiar:

To support himself, Stark has worked as a model, including TV spots for Cardi's furniture and newspaper ads for Apex.

What People Are Saying

"Jonathan's CD is a winner of a disc - funny, discerning and well-played, showcasing the Berklee grad's sense of humor, strong songwriting and can't-miss session guests. Stark discards arthritic cliche while penning captivating personas in songs for the millennial singer/guitarist. A rising and inventive player to watch."
- Michael Caito, The Providence Phoenix

Jonathan Stark's debut, self-titled CD is a great piece of folk/rock heaven. Garnering praise from critics and musicians alike, this CD will secure Stark's on the musical map. Despite the band production of this CD, Jonathan Stark still does many of his shows as a solo performer. Stark carries his CD and his performances with that great voice and his folk/rock sensibilities.
- Matthew Smith, FolkWeb Music Director

"When Paula Cole canceled at the last minute, I called Jonathan to entertain the people who came. He held the whole crowd! It was the most successful fill-in I've seen."
- Karen Joost, General Manager, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Providence, RI

"I could listen to Jonathan sing the dictionary. What a voice!"
- Geoff Bartley, Cambridge, MA

music

Believing In Your Own Lies.mp3

schedule

Sorry, no shows currently scheduled.

contact

Don't be shy! Please feel free to email me at [email protected] for questions or comments.