It’s true that Jeff Berkley is known as one of the finest singer-songwriters San Diego has ever produced. He has a warm, melodic voice and a way with song hooks that’s second to none, as heard in his solo performances and as a part of the duo, Berkley Hart, alongside fellow tunesmith Calman Hart. But that’s just one side of his musical career, with work as a sideman and as a producer just as prominent on his resume. A recent transplant to Ocean Beach, Berkley is that rare find – a native San Diegan. “Yes, I was born at Sharp Hospital,” he said with a smile. Now a veteran of the music community, Berkley has long wanted to live in OB but has only now found the right spot. I have been trying to find a spot to live in OB since I moved out from my folk’s house,” he said. “It’s dear to my heart for several reasons. Living here is different than visiting here. I love the people and the attitude here. I love being able to hear the sea and walk out to see it anytime. I miss OB when I’m not here.”
For Berkley it’s been a life immersed in music since he began performing at age 14. “I started in church with my dad but was playing in bands and clubs by 15. I didn’t get into it, it got in to me!” he said. “I couldn’t help myself. Gigs were just the eventual end to a deep passion for magic through music that still drives me today. Great songs inspire me, and that’s been a constant.”
As a producer, songwriter and performer, he wears many hats, but he maintains that there is no favorite aspect of his career. “They all feed off each other. The truth is that I’d go insane just doing one or the other,” he said. “My dad produced records, wrote and performed and I was in on that early on. I’ve always been around all of the hats you mentioned. It’s my nature to do those things.”
He considers himself lucky to be in the music business on every level. “I’m blessed every day by peoples trust,” he remarked. “Sometimes they’re trusting me to produce their album, which is the most important thing in their world at that moment. Sometimes they trust me with their hard-earned money and come to see me play. Sometimes they trust me with their heart. I am blown away ever day by that.” Speaking of the former, Berkley recently opened a new studio in Kearny Mesa. “The space was built in the ’70s and is an amazing, groovy sounding space,” he said. “It took everything I had but we built out the live room and it sounds and feels amazing and there.” He also travels to produce acts around the country. “I got to make Barbara Nesbitt’s new record in Austin and make Tim Flannery’s new one all up and down the coast of California,” Berkley said.
Between his time in the studio and gigging, there is really no time Berkley is not making music, so he prioritizes projects. “When I’m working on a record, it’s the most important thing in my world,” he said. “Lately, things have been pretty magical. I get to make records with some pretty groovy people. I’ve worked with lots of artists who are unknown and artists who are known. For example, I loved working on a record for a band called Sweet Tooth – the songs are incredible and the players did an amazing job.” Other artists he has produced over the past year include Bob Weir, Jerry Jeff Walker, Gregory Page, Jason Mraz and Steve Poltz. While he enjoys recording, he also enjoys playing live. In addition to his tours with Berkley Hart, he has also taken the stage with Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Jason Mraz, Indigo Girls and many more. “I have a sickness for cool gear and instruments but I guess my favorite thing is touring. I love long stretches of road and a good cheap hotel room,” he remarked. According to Berkley, 2017 will be much the same as this year, with more touring, including shows with the quartet, Berkley Hart (Eve) Selis & (Marc) Twang, on Jan. 6 and 7 at The New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad and the release of his first ever solo album, “It’s Called “Whorehouse, Hot Sauce & Souvenirs” after a road sign I saw just outside of Death Valley while touring the great southwest,” he laughed. Berkley notes it’s tough out there for musicians these days, but he intends to continue full speed. “What motivates me to keep going? Insanity,” he said. “I truly don’t know any other way of living.”