Album Notes

Chuck E. Costa is a fresh voice delivering an interesting mix of unique, intimate and honest songs. He draws on a range of influences creating music unfettered by time or place, defying common labels like "folk-pop." Chuck's songwriting explores subtle yet significant themes with the tacit goal of challenging his audiences to think (or re-think) about what may often be taken for granted and his honest enthusiasm continually permeates audiences at each live performance. His powerful and sincere vocals (comparisons range from Jonathan Edwards to Michael Stipe) and acoustic guitar delivery seamlessly complement the lyrical content of the songs. Chuck's songwriting and performance skills have received national recognition from several festivals this year.

Chuck was raised in New York City, part of an Italian family with a mother from Norway, which may be partly responsible for the creative breadth of Chuck's musical expression. After receiving a degree in philosophy from the University of Colorado and studying with poet Lorna Dee Cervantes, Chuck left Colorado to play music in the Northeast. In the fall of 2002, Chuck recorded a self-titled, 9-song, all-acoustic CD that embodies the sparse and intimate music that is his signature.

He has shared the stage with nationally touring acts including; The Samples, Andrew Bird, Grey Eyed Glances, Mighty Purple and Ten Shekel Shirt.

His second release,"From the Rooftops," came out in July. The album was engineered by Vic Steffens at Horizon Studios in West Haven, CT and was entirely self-produced. From the Rooftops features a variety of "well-written and well-played"(New Haven Advocate) songs ranging from full-band arrangements to the all-acoustic spirit of his first release.

Chuck most recently released an EP of 5 songs written to poems by Rudyard Kipling entitled Never Seen A Jaguar bringing a new dimension to some really old poems.

Chuck's songwriting received national recognition this summer with his song "Able" being chosen as one of the "first-five" semi-finalists in the Newsong Contest, part of the prestigious Mountain Stage Newsong Festival. He performed at the festival in W. Virginia in August. Chuck also performed in the hills of Vermont as a finalist in the Solarfest singer/songwriter showcase.

Chuck resides on the shoreline of Connecticut where he is perpetually writing songs and regularly performing somewhere near you. He will be sharing the stage with Cracker, Camper van Beethoven, The Nields and October Project in the coming months.