Adam Rader

With lyrics that explore the facets of everyday life, Adam Rader brings a refreshing perspective to acoustic/pop music. "Most of the time I can only write about the things that really dig at me. I think exploring things that are difficult helps us shape who we are," says the now L.A.-based Southern boy who cites Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Dave Matthews and John Mayer as primary influences. " I write songs to express my interpretation of the world. Its cool when people can relate to that." Much to Adam's satisfaction, his music is being welcomed by an ever-expanding audience. He's seen it for himself while performing at intimate venues like Hotel Cafe and Velvet Jones. " I have a place I go to in my mind when I'm performing. It could be what I was thinking about when I was writing or something currently going on in my life. I am always finding new meanings in what I write. I love knowing everyone else has a place they go to as well. They connect their own thought and experience to it, making it their own. That has to be one of my favorite things about music. Once it leaves your mouth or instrument, its no longer yours."



Adam views his young music career as a way to live a life of purpose. That strong sense of direction was instilled in him by his mother. Her approach to me has always been, " If it makes you happy, DO IT. " The younger of two children, he was born and spent most of his childhood in Monroe, Louisiana. His highschool years were spent in Virginia Beach, Virginia. "The sense of community in the south is very strong. I think that is something that has stuck with me."



Adam's earliest memories of music are ones of his father playing Zydeco records in the house as a kid. " Louisiana has a great pace of life. It was a cool experience growing up there and experiencing that culture. " Since nobody in his family was musically inclined, he had to discover things on his own. " I never really connected with any artists until I was 20. My friends were always turning me onto music they liked but it didn't resonate with me. I guess it took a certain amount of mileage before I could grasp the concepts of the songwriters I've grown to love. " At the age of 12 he traded a skateboard for a beat up electric guitar. Ironically, he didn't really start playing until several years later. " Its amazes me when I think back. I had that guitar for so long and never learned to play it. It was Duncan Sheiks first album that sparked my interest in writing. "



During Adam's third year of college at Cal State Long Beach he took an Intro to Theatre class as an elective. "My teacher required anyone who was late to get in front of the class and sing a song. I was running late for class one day and said $% it, I guess I'll bring my guitar and make it interesting. " His teacher pulled him aside after class to find out a little more about him. " She asked me what my major was and I told her Business. She laughed at me. In a brief conversation she urged me to reconsider the direction my life was heading. It was about a week later that I quit school and fully committed myself to being an artist. "



" We are all writing the story of our life, " Adam says. " I just want to be part of the soundtrack. "