Scott Krokoff

Artist Information

Biography

Have you given up? If you’re past your 20s and into your 30s, 40s or 50s, perhaps you did. Perhaps you gave up a goal or dream you wanted to truly accomplish due to other responsibilities, finances or simply out of necessity. Well, Scott Krokoff hasn’t. Scott Krokoff (pronounced Crow-Cough) is a practicing lawyer who never gave up his lifelong dream to be a singer-songwriter, and in so doing hopes to serve as an inspiration to others who have not yet fulfilled their dreams.

Scott plays Americana-flavored folk-rock and pop, primarily influenced by his love of music from the 60s and 70s. He is an acoustic-based songwriter whose songs are driven by their melodies. Vocally, he sounds like a combination of Jackson Browne and Glen Phillips. He is both a fingerpicker and strummer, fusing the fingerpicking styles of James Taylor, Paul Simon and Lindsay Buckingham, and incorporating the country-rock of Neil Young and The Eagles and the roots rock of Tom Petty.

In November 2012, Scott released his new EP, Realizations and Declarations, Vol. 1. This is the first of a series of EPs that will culminate in a full-length album as the follow-up to A Better Life, Scott’s debut CD released in 2007 and the first manifestation of his desire to leave his past behind and go for his dream. “Don’t,” one of 4 new tracks off the EP, was played during the 3rd annual NY Yankees Hope Week segment on NBC’s The Today Show in July 2011. This was the second time one of Scott’s songs was played during the Hope Week segment – back in 2010 “A Better Life,” the title cut off Scott’s first CD, was played. Jessica Kostek of MuzikReviews.com concluded that "[o]verall, A Better Life is a wonderful CD that will leave listeners full of anticipation for Krokoff's second release." Annie Reuter of You Sing, I Write, noted that A Better Life "can be easily kept on repeat all day long" and that "many of his songs could be easily heard on the radio."

Scott is from Queens, NY and in his home base of NYC he has played at venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Caffe Vivaldi, Bar 4, The Living Room/Googie's Lounge, LIC Bar, The National Underground, Pianos, Bar East and 169 Bar as he continues to cultivate his local fan base. He has also begun planting seeds in other localities, including Burlington (Radio Bean, Higher Ground), Philadelphia (Dawson Street Pub) and Nashville (Hotel Indigo, Debi Champion’s Writers Night at the Commodore Grille). He also had the pleasure of playing in the Bluebird Cafe-sponsored Singer-Songwriter Tent at the 1st annual Country Throwdown at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in May 2010. One of Scott's favorite experiences was his trip to Belgium in August 2010 to perform at a concert hosted by one of his biggest fans who discovered Scott's music on Jango.

People of all ages have found Scott’s music appealing, relating to his music not only because of the terrific rhythm and energy each song possesses but because he represents the desire we each have to dream big and live life to the fullest.

Instrumentation

Scott Krokoff - primary instrument is the acoustic guitar. When playing acoustic I occasionally add harmonica, and usually I am also accompanied by Evan Closser on piano/keys. When playing with a backup band, I am usually accompanied by bass, drums and piano.

Discography

Scott's debut CD, A Better Life, was released toward the end of 2007. Produced, engineered and mixed by long-time studio veteran Bob Stander at VuDu Studios, and mastered by Gene Paul of DB Plus, A Better Life contains 13 radio-friendly tracks featuring catchy, energetic acoustic rhythms spanning the genres of folk, pop and rock. Scott is backed on the album by several notable musicians including former Wings drummer Steve Holley (also known for his work with Dar Williams), keyboardist Paul Errico (Steve Forbert), legendary jazz saxophonist Mario Cruz (Jaco Pastorius, Bruce Springsteen), pedal steel virtuoso John Widgren, veteran drummer Shawn Murray (drummer with The Mink DeVille Band and Willy DeVille Band for 17 years), percussionist/vocalist John Michel (John Oates) and fellow singer-songwriter Mark Newman (Willy DeVille, John Oates).

Scott's latest project, Realizations & Declarations, is the follow up to Scott’s debut CD, A Better Life. The R&D project will be released as a series of EPs that will eventually culminate in a full length album. Producer Bob Stander is again at the helm and several musicians who played on A Better Life make return appearances along with a few new participants. The first EP, Realizations & Declarations Vol. 1, was released in November 2012 and contains 4 new tracks. Production of the second EP (Vol. 2) is already under way and is slated for a summer 2013 release.

Official Website

http://www.scottkrokoff.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Fanbridge Mailing List
• You Tube
• CD Baby
• Bandcamp
• ReverbNation

Audio

• A Better Life
  Listen  
• I Know Your Story
  Listen  
• Sparrows
  Listen  
• The Vow
  Listen  
• Don't (Instru.)
  Listen  
• Don't
  Listen  
• Closed
  Listen  
• 10 Minutes demo
  Listen  
• What The Hell (mp3)
  Listen  
• What The Hell (Instrumental) (mp3)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• A Better Life
• I Know Your Story
• Sparrows
• The Vow
• Don't
• Closed
• 10 Minutes
• What The Hell

Video

I Know Your Story - Conklin Barn

Rockwood - Closed 1-7-12.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• Scott Krokoff's "Realizations & Declarations" EP Reviewed [+ Show ]
  

  What was once mainstream is now fringe and what was once a put down, calling music Middle Of the Ro...What was once mainstream is now fringe and what was once a put down, calling music Middle Of the Road, is now a badge of honor. Musicians like Scott Krokoff, and God knows there aren't many, are returning to a pre mid-1980s synth revolution to tap into a world of melody and analog, where lovely songs of self-awareness rule.
  
  A couple of years ago, we wrote about his album A Better Life and the current EP Realizations & Declarations is more of the same and at its best a little better than the first release. The name you are thinking of is Bread, a song like "Acid Rain" is pop-rock as blues Billboard heatseeker circa 1973, it is a relation to "Down On My Knees", and a string of ballads, thru the heart of the 8 track, 34 minute EP. set the stage for a throw down at the end. This is way beautiful stuff, it has the ache of nostalgia but it isn't actually looking back anywhere.
  
  Krokoff, a successful attorney who has followed a dream with a true independents DIY spirit, and is current enough to always add an electric break to his acoustic songs, and what you get is something like the terrific one, two, of "Closed" and "Don't" which would be very popular with a huge segment of the audience, the 40s and 50 year olds, who are so seldom catered for, if they actually heard it. "Closed" is a rocker but a rocker based around an acoustic sound. It is so well crafted it is easy to ignore how smart and sweet the melody is. And "Don't" is what popular rock and roll used to be, easy to sing along, a contracted guitar break, and a feel good (and self referring) message, "don't ever quit or you'll never know".
  
  It is indicative that Scott goes his own way. This is stuff the major labels were born to push but the labels don't really do that any more, and one of the side effects of the past 60 years is that it is difficult for anybody to break through the rock and roll clutter. But I can't believe anybody can listen to the strings on "The Vow" -a lovely wedding song, surely, and not being completely charmed by the this singer songwriter.
  
  Grade: B+

• Scott Krokoff - Two New Songs Available To rocknyc Readers [+ Show ]
  

  Now, it looks like Scott is back and recording new songs. The two new ones are titled “Walter Mitty...Now, it looks like Scott is back and recording new songs. The two new ones are titled “Walter Mitty” & “What The Hell”. Both of these tunes is just Scott and his acoustic guitar (well, an harmonica is thrown in for good measure). Nothing else. They are both great sounding tunes that you can play over and over again.
  
  My favorite of the two is “Walter Mitty”. There is definitely some Tom Petty, some Bob Dylan in this song. The way Scott plays the guitar and then adds the harmonica in there reminds me of Dylan.
  
  Two great new tunes by a great singer/songwriter.

• My Fave Songs, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 by Iman Lababedi [+ Show ]
  

  ?1. Here Comes The Singularity - Killing Joke - The difference between 1980 and 2010 KJ isn't the dr...?1. Here Comes The Singularity - Killing Joke - The difference between 1980 and 2010 KJ isn't the drummer, he still sounds as if he has made the great escape from a Chic song, it is how well integrated he is into the band.
  
  2. Runaway - Kanye West - The nine minute one.
  
  3.Incredibly Close - Miggs - Don sounds old fashioned except here where the background vocals are so weird and interrupted
  
  4. Who's That Chick - David Guetta And Rihanna - This is a huge sound, bigger than anything on Loud. And it is a more doctored vocal -obviously Rihanna but even the echo seems to blurred and echoed out. TRACK OF THE WEEK,
  
  5. Heart On Chain - Kevin Greenspon - Sounds like Trent Reznor in Social Network mode.
  
  6. Scots Wha Hae - Robert Burns and Mike Ogletree
  
  7. Dallas - Alan Jackson - This is what a real country ballad sounds when it goes popular
  
  8. The Deil - Robert Burns and Mike Ogletree - The Devil plays his fiddle, hypnotizes the taxman and leads him out of town . Villagers rejoice.
  
  9. Holy Fire - Scott Krokoff
  
  10. Rescue Song -Mr. Little Jeans

• My Fave Tracks, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 by Iman Lababedi [+ Show ]
  

  ?1. Raise your Glass - Pink - "Deal-io"? Hope Busta gets royalties for that word. This is a catchy m...?1. Raise your Glass - Pink - "Deal-io"? Hope Busta gets royalties for that word. This is a catchy mo-fo drinking song.
  
  2. Holy Fire - Scott Krokoff - Great downward spiral lick returns so often it functions like a hook, and the guitar is a twangy delight.
  
  3. Pass Out - Tinie Tempeh - Tinie doesn't seem to be having the time of his life but, Kid Cudi please note, we are.
  
  4. Happy For You - Polar Bear - Wadja mean no solo? Of course there's a solo, a sax solo by the way.
  
  5. Kush (Feat Snoop Dogg) - Dr. Dre Dunno if I love this because I can fall straight back into the vibe after all these years, nostalgia reasons, or because Snoop kills his verse.
  
  6. Sincerity -Miggs
  
  7. Knocked Up - Kings Of Leon
  
  8. Come On (Let's Go Tonight) - Bruce Springsteen - Most of it ended up on "Factory". Except the "Man on the radio said Elvis Presley" line? It was too good and Bruce built his masterful threnody for the King around it on the obscure "Johnny Bye Bye".
  
  9. Flow - My Pet Dragon
  
  10. Raining Men - Rihanna - A joyous raver

• The rock nyc Current Albums Guide -by Iman Lababedi [+ Show ]
  

  A clutch of first rate rock songs, so well crafted, so smart, and so committed it bends without brea...A clutch of first rate rock songs, so well crafted, so smart, and so committed it bends without breaking, and rocks but so tightly it never sways. Or, if you prefer, it is what its subject matter is: the difficulties of being gentle in a harsh world.

• Scott Krokoff. Adult Rocker - by Todd Leibowitz
  

  "Give this album a try. It goes by so fast, cause it is so good. Nothing boring."

• MuzikReviews.com CD review [+ Show ]
  

  No matter where we are in life, some of us are searching for more or a profession that we can actual...No matter where we are in life, some of us are searching for more or a profession that we can actually say that we are proud of. Wanting to enjoy what he was doing in life, former tax attorney Scott Krokoff, quit his day job to follow his dreams of being a musician and released his debut CD A Better Life.
  
  A cross between John Mayer and James Taylor, A Better Life is a journey about everyday situations that in the end make you think about how your life could be as well. His lyrics are thought provoking and melodies soothing and those who are looking for a fresh new sound that’s hasn’t been mixed or hyped by mainstream producers should definitely listen to A Better Life.
  
  Listening to track three, “A Better Life”, shows Krokoff’s driving force behind and no doubt motivation for going after his dream and become a musician.
  
  For the most part, A Better Life is an upbeat album that sends a feel-good message. However, the one exception to that is the song “A Glimpse of Your Face” which shows a more melancholy side of Krokoff.
  
  Overall, A Better Life is a wonderful CD that will leave listeners full of anticipation for Krokoff’s second release.
  
  http://muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=630
  

• A Better Life Selected as Single of the Day - 1/29/09 [+ Show ]
  

  What constitutes a better life? Is it the dream job? Is it the ability to explore the world around? ...What constitutes a better life? Is it the dream job? Is it the ability to explore the world around? Is it spending time with people you care about? It’s probably a combination of many things and for each of us it’s a different combination. That’s the beauty of us being human.
  
  For Scott it was realizing he wasn’t happy in the profession he had chosen. Thus he ended up doing something about it. And thus a musician was born. A simple mellow rocker in this song A Better Life, that’s the vibe. The story is pretty obvious. Lots of little parts in the song along with some pop flavored chords provide a good base for Scott’s easy going vocal.
  
  http://www.singleoftheday.com/2009/01/29/a-better-life/

• CD Review by Annie Reuter of Review You/You Sing, I Write [+ Show ]
  

  Scott Krokoff’s debut solo effort A Better Life is a 13-track album of solid music, both lyrically a...Scott Krokoff’s debut solo effort A Better Life is a 13-track album of solid music, both lyrically and musically and one of those albums that can be easily kept on repeat all day long. An attorney turned musician is not always looked upon highly as a wise career choice, but after giving A Better Life a close listen I’m glad Krokoff quit his day job to pursue his passion. An accomplished acoustic and electric guitar player, the musical accompaniment throughout A Better Life is strong and never falters. An intriguing storyteller, Krokoff’s songs are full of relatable tales about relationships and life in general. “I Know Your Story” begins the album with Krokoff convincingly singing, “I know your reasons why you are guarded and concerned/You’ve been through this before there are lessons that you have learned/But don’t be frightened I won’t be like your last boyfriend.” With heartfelt and honest lyrics like that, who couldn’t believe him? While his music has been compared to a blend of John Mayer and James Taylor, his calming vocals are also slightly reminiscent to that of Matt Nathanson. Comparisons aside, Krokoff brings something unique to his music. Whether its saxophone or electric guitar interludes, the music throughout each track blends perfectly with his vocals and as a listener, you can’t help but pay close attention to each story presented in every song. It’s hard to put Krokoff into a specific genre. Tracks like “A Better Life” and “Holy Fire” have a country vibe to them while other songs have more of that acoustic singer-songwriter feel. All the while, many of his songs could be easily heard on the radio. Regardless, Krokoff is headed in the right direction with his debut solo effort. On title track "A Better Life" he sings "Destiny is in my grasp for I can see it/It is waiting there for me to simply reach it/I work so hard for a better day, a better life/And it's finally time for me to feel alive and have a better life." An accurate portrayal of his life, Krokoff's destiny looks bright as a musician.

• CD Review by Indie Launchpad [+ Show ]
  

  There seems to be an ever blurring line between country, folk and pop. The best example of this has ...There seems to be an ever blurring line between country, folk and pop. The best example of this has been Shania Twain. The country purists shudder at her name, but she’s certainly done the country genre an enormous service, taking it places it’s never been. Scott Krokoff, has that same feel to his music. While there’s nary a mention of country on his MySpace page, his style of Folk Rock, shares remarkable similarities to Shania’s style of Country. Kind of Folk Rock with a pop edge. This boils down to 13 tracks, or pure unadulterated “easy listening”. Ah that term, “Easy Listening”, something I used to think of as my Dad’s taste in music, but I’ve come to learn it’s music that’s well written and a joy to listen to, without forcing your brain to go a mile a minute to disseminate what your ears are listening to.
  
  “I Know Your Story” is the first track, and it was this one that brought Shania to mind, with soft clear vocals, a top acoustic guitar and drums. “Friend in Need” is a particular favorite track of mine. “A Better Life” was also one of my favorite tracks, until the electric guitar solo that breaks in nearly half way through. It’s one of those things, that while good in itself, jars the listening experience as it just doesn’t feel like it belongs.
  
  While the album on the whole, is fairly mellow, there are a few tracks, that shake things up a bit, “Tomorrow’s Coming” and “Acid Rain” being two of them. It’s also a welcome diversion, as without these tracks, and “Do You Wanna Play” which rounds off the album, it would have seemed a bit too laid back for it’s own good.
  
  The country analogy I opened with is pretty much enforced with the track, “Holy Fire”, with it’s country style guitar, and the sound of the vocals. I could just imagine Shania singing this one.
  
  I would be remiss in not giving a special mention to “Autumn Sky” which is one of those tracks, that kind of fills you with hope. It’s hard to explain, but it just has that “Everything is Going to be OK” feel to it. So 13 tracks and not a dud among them. This is certainly an artist I will be eager to hear more from.
  
  Conclusion : This is one of those albums, that you listen to and in the blink of an eye it’s over. This is a trait that marks a fine album.
  

Setlist

I usually play an acoustic set either solo or with a piano accompaniment. Typical set list lasts around 40-45 minutes, but can play more or less as required. Most songs are originals, but I occasionally play a cover or two during a set. Covers can vary but I usually play classic rock or singer-songwriter type covers. Examples - Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Beatles, the Smiths, James Taylor, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Eagles, U2 and The Grateful Dead.

Basic Requirements

Calendar