Five Times August, a name with a reputation as one of the most important commodities in the music industry’s new business model for up and coming artists. The completely unsigned solo project of 24 year old Dallas, Texas native Brad Skistimas returns with the new album “Brighter Side.” After selling over 100,000 digital downloads without a record label, getting 18 song placements from one album on various popular television programs, and becoming the first unsigned act sold in Wal-Mart stores nationwide, one can only wonder what Five Times August will accomplish next. With “Brighter Side,” Skistimas has crafted an album of balance. Relatable catchy pop tunes without the overly produced sound that invades today’s Top 40 market. The music is real and each song is its own. In the midst of an industry looking for one novelty hit after another, “Brighter Side” proves to have quality and charm. It’s not just another album with two polished hit songs and ten okay fillers. This album throws away the standard formula of co-writer after co-writer, heavily produced studio tricks, and keeping to a genre specific theme. At the core you will find, simply, a songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Skistimas blends these acoustic pop arrangements with flavorful hints of roots, country, rock and even punk at times. The mellow “Who You Are” will appeal to fans of Norah Jones or Ryan Adams, while the rebelious rocker “Overrated” might pull in fans of Fall Out Boy or Green Day. The nineties-esque “One Way Road” reminisces that of Matchbox 20 or Hootie and the Blowfish while the blue-collar anthem “The Lighting” reflects the heavy electric guitars of Oasis. From start to finish the album takes you on a journey equivalent to a mix tape featuring a compilation of artists. And it’s no wonder “Brighter Side” has a sound all it’s own, considering the team that helped Brad put it all together. Recorded in Dallas at Bass Propulsion Laboratories, it was produced by the studio’s owners, brothers Todd and Toby Pipes (Deep Blue Something, Drowning Pool, Flickerstick). At the recommendation of the Pipes Bros, Skistimas recruited local studio musicians for most of the instrumentation, but also took it upon himself to invite former Vertical Horizon drummer Ed Toth to provide a solid backbeat for the record. “Since Five Times August is a solo project I have the freedom to bring in a variety of players to fit each album.” Skistimas says. “It’s great because those different inputs provide a level of comfort in knowing my sound will never get repetitive from one record to the next. It’s like forming a new band each time around.” In addition to recording at BPL Studios, Skistimas had the album mixed by Grammy Award Winner Andy Zulla (Rod Stewart, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson). Five Times August wrapped up an extensive college tour in 2007, traveling 8 months out of the year, visiting 43 of the 50 states, and plans to start the whole thing up again in 2008 to support the release of “Brighter Side.” This time around FTA will be releasing the album with the help of Croshal Entertainment Group, a virtual label based out of LA. “I figured if I accomplished what I did with my last album by mainly word of mouth and almost no promotion behind it there’s no telling what can happen if I actually give myself a marketing fund this time around!” Skistimas proclaims. “The great thing about working with CEG is that I’m still unsigned and in control of my own image and music, but will still get the attention that many major label releases receive.” While Skistimas continues to break barriers as an unsigned artist, the music industry should prepare itself for a new breed of music and marketing upon the release of Five Times August’s upcoming release. “Brighter Side” will be in stores nationwide on March 18th 2008. Listen at Last.fm
Why are you called Five Times August if you are only one guy?
My last name is “Skistimas” and I didn’t want to promote my music as “Brad Skistimas” because nobody will remember that when they go home to their computer and want to type in “BradSkistimas.com” So, since my birthday is August 5th I decided to come up with a band name based on that, and that’s how Five Times August came about. It’s easier to remember than “Brad Skistiwhatwhohuh?”

Where can I get your CD?
You can order FTA merchandise from fivetimesaugust.com by clicking the “shop” link. You can also find FTA's album "The Independent (l.p.)" in Wal-Mart stores across the country. For a full list of Wal-Mart locations that carry the album, click here.

Where can I get FTA guitar tabs?
You can order digital guitar tabs from fivetimesaugust.com by clicking the “shop” link, then "sheet music." There are 11 songs available at the moment. I tabbed them out myself and it took forever, so please buy them instead of just asking me!

Will you send me a song for free?
Sorry, but I’ve got to make a living some how! If you’re interested in getting only one song by FTA, check out itunes or isound.com and search “Five Times August.”

When are you going to perform at my city?
Chances are I’m probably working on it, but until then, all confirmed dates are posted at fivetimesaugust.com in the “dates” link or right here on myspace too!

Where can I get lyrics to your songs?
Again, you’ll really want to check out fivetimesaugust.com. You can find the lyrics to just about every song there, and also little stories behind them as well.

Will you put the song __________ up on your myspace player pleeeease?
Sorry, I get many-a-request to change up my myspace player song list all the time and I only have space for 6 songs. I can’t please everyone, so I usually try to just put up the ones that I’d like you guys to hear. But, if you really want to enjoy the music anytime and not have to rely on myspace, the best thing to do is to get it from itunes, isound.com, or order the cd at fivetimesaugust.com

I want to book you for a private event, how much do you charge and how can I book you?
You’ll want to e-mail my manager, Kelly at Kelly@fivetimesaugust.com for all booking inquiries. She will let you know how much, when/if we can, etc… etc…