Beth Arentsen

Artist Description

Beth Arentsen was raised on the shores of New Jersey but “grew up” in the East Village of New York City where she recently penned her debut solo album, Sap. Sharing intimate stories that tow the line between tragedy and triumphant, Sap is a collection of songs that draw upon Beth’s early childhood on the ocean and experiences living above the asphalt. With emotionally charged lyrics and a head-turning voice, Beth draws comparisons to Kate Bush and Alanis Morissette, with a commanding stage presence that is uniquely her own.

Born into an Italian-Norwegian family Beth describes her childhood experience as “artistic.” Beginning piano lessons at the age of six, Beth studied at the home of a prestigious local artist perched above the Atlantic Ocean. Encouraged to compose at an early age, Beth still has her first original composition book filled with songs about horses, rain and the high seas. Beth went on to study dance and by high school, joined a local theater troupe which staged performances in a converted barn. “Those were magical nights, singing under the moon, seeing mosquitoes in the stage lights, I felt like I was in another time.”

Beth moved to New York City and was accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She filled her days studying experimental theater and her nights performing original music in Lower East Side store fronts and abandoned schools. Occasionally working in film and TV as an on-camera pianist, Beth played Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” on MTV commercials. It was her love of songwriting that eventually led her to Austin’s SXSW. Armed with a demo and a smile, Beth caught the interest of a Chicago indie label, NoVo Records, which signed her immediately.

Beth became the front woman of the [jazz-funk] band, P-1, lending her powerful vocals and storytelling abilities. After two albums, commercial radio play and featured songs in film and television, Beth felt it was time to ditch the beats and put her energy into a more personal project. The end result is Sap, produced by Jimi Zhivago and recorded at The Magic Shop (New York City). Sap departs from the electro vibe of P-1 in favor of a more stripped-down telling of Beth’s tales.

Beth has performed in New York at: The Fez, The Living Room, Sidewalk Café, Cutting Room, Eisenhower Park, and next month will be headlining a benefit concert at Joe’s Pub. In Chicago she’s performed at The Metro, Double Door, Subterranean, Uncommon Ground as well as many festivals, benefits and product launches including Scion. She has also appeared live on commercial and satellite radio and morning television.