Album Notes

Biography as of January, 2007
Written by Cleo Bloom

“The one who is constant in happiness must frequently change.” If you live your life by Chinese proverbs Pete Ektam is no stranger to smiling. This acoustic finger style favorite has his roots in the mid-west state of Minnesota by now, after a few stops of course, has landed in the Mesa Arizona area, where he continues to delight audiences with his meshing of adventurous, unique guitar and diverse and heartfelt lyrics. Like his frequently changing habitat his songs migrate as well. Topics, tone, and tempo are continually being altered giving Pete a very eclectic style, and giving listeners songs for every mood, moment, and measure.

Critics everywhere will struggle to label Ekstam’s artistry (although he would probably be found in the Rock & R n’ B section in music stores) which started in punk bands at the ripe age of 14. His first recording came with a band named “Short Changed,” which is far from what Pete has become as a now solo artist, all acoustic with a quick picking dramatic stage presence and a mission, “To actively pursue true expression of my human experience through the art forms of music, lyric and performance at all costs.”

Like most explorers Pete’s survey of the land of music has landed him in many different bands. A strong desire for creative control has helped him to discover his identity, for now of course, as a singer/songwriter/ guitarist. Pete is the first to give credit where credit is due, making sure to thank all who have helped him to become the artist he is today. Musicians, poets, and artists of all types have crossed his path sharing and learning with him. All of these people have been important to the formation and change of Pete as a musician.

In 2006 he shared the stage with The Black Crows, Los Lobos, Burning Spear, Ozomot, Johnny Lang, Son Volt, and many others at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival in Scottsdale, AZ, and was selected as a finalist in the 2006 Tucson Folk Festival’s Singer/songwriter competition. He has recently joined forces with bassist Ken Tluczek (Lew-check) out of Phoenix and plans to record a full-length album in the fall/winter of 2006.