Album Notes

Featuring the song "Better With You" as heard on MTV's Laguna Beach!
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"Something Clever" is the newest release by Five Times August. This short but sweet collection features five brand new songs written and performed by 21 year old Brad Skistimas of Dallas, Texas. This will be the fourth independent release by Skistimas under his band name Five Times August. A Mayer-esque voice mixed with the rhymes of Mraz and the deep side of Matthews, Skistimas features traits of today's top songwriter's forming a style that is very much his own.

Hailing from Dallas Texas, Skistimas is a self-taught guitarist since age 12. And started writing songs at 14. Originally furnished as a one-man-band, Five Times August began with an 18 year old high school graduate and an acoustic guitar. With a last name like "Skistimas," Brad chose to alias his music under a band name, and "Five Times August" was thought up from his birth date, August 5th.

For the last three years Skistimas has taken the term "independent musician" to it's highest degree. From writing, recording, and producing his music, he also designed and manages the Five Times August website (www.fivetimesaugust.com). With that in mind, he also takes on booking almost all his own shows as well. Label-less and agent-less, Brad Skistimas may lack a team of corporate sponsors, but he's far from talent-less.

Though, contrary to his previous releases, Skistimas recruited some help for production on "Something Clever," using members from another local band called Redtag. Front man for Redtag, Chris Hawkes, produced and mixed with Skistimas, and also added other guitars, bass, and back up vocals to the new songs. Cason Clifton, drummer for Redtag, showed off his skills in three of the five songs as well.

With the ability to stand on his own in the independent music world, and a drive for success in the corporate ladder, once mixed with the mindless TV based "teen-idol for hire" crowd, it's safe to assume it's only a matter of time before radio waves and music channels breathe in something a little more clever.