User:Rhpfan/Pete Nischt

Pete Nischt (born October 15, 1986 in Ohio) is an American singer/songwriter and guitarist currently residing in Akron, Ohio. His music ranges from folk rock and pop rock to baroque pop and chamber pop. His music has driven him to different levels of notability over the years, including regional, national, and international fame. In interviews he cites his biggest influences as Ryan Adams, Mark Kozelek, Damien Rice, Rufus Wainwright, and Sufjan Stevens.

History
Pete Nischt grew up in Medina, Ohio and attended Highland High School where he stood out as a musician on the trumpet and guitar. After briefly considering a major in Jazz Studies on the trumpet after high school, he relocated to Akron, Ohio in 2005 to attend the University of Akron, study Accounting, and concentrate on songwriting. He played his first solo show in August of 2005 at an open-mic night. Over the next year, he made a name for himself playing with, childhood friend, Kate Voegele and others around Ohio and the Midwest. In January of 2006, Pete was discovered by Ace Enders (The Early November, I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business, Ace Enders and a Million Different People) at a show. Shortly afterwards, Enders, along with his wife Jenn, started a record label called Regular Music. Pete was the first artist signed to the label and did not return to school the following year, leaving behind scholarship money and a 3.8 grade point average. The label rereleased an acoustic EP of Pete’s, entitled Sandbox: The Free EP, and later released his full-length debut, Life is Strange (Produced by Chris Badami). Life is Strange was a very eclectic CD, encompassing several genres of music, and highlighting Pete’s talent for songwriting. The debut was well-received and sold briefly across North America and Europe. Pete toured for the label up until shortly after the release of Life is Strange. He then returned to school in August of 2007 after trouble developed with Regular Music. Although Pete kept a fairly regular touring schedule around the Midwest and East Coast, both sides have kept quiet about the incident.

Touring
From 2005 to the present, Pete has shared the stage with many artists on national tours, regional tours, and one-off shows including Blessid Union of Souls, Kate Voegele, The Verve Pipe, Ace Enders and a Million Different People, Paper Rival, Augustana, Roark, and many others. A 2007 fall tour with The Early November and Steel Train was also scheduled, but was later canceled due to problems within The Early November, who broke up shortly thereafter.

Current Projects
Pete is currently reported to be in the middle of recording a follow up to his 2007 full-length. The record is being co-produced by Nischt and his friend Andy Dolson. Teasers from the album can be heard on his official Myspace.com and Facebook.com music sites.

Education
Pete has noted several times in interviews his dedication to education. He is currently studying Accounting and Music Business at the University of Akron, and also took classes at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2008 he was one of 25 admitted into New York University’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, but had to turn down his acceptance due to the high cost of attending the school and living in Manhattan. He has also expressed interest in pursuing a law degree while keeping up with songwriting.

Discography

 * Sandbox EP (August, 2006)
 * Life is Strange (August 14, 2007)