Artist Information
Biography
Wiser Time was formed in 2002 by singer/songwriter/guitarist, Carmen Sclafani, in the small town of Millington, New Jersey, USA, just outside of New York City. Sclafani had been working in art and design during the days, while performing in coffee-houses and clubs of New Jersey and New York during the evenings, becoming a fixture in the local music scene.
Sclafani had a love of the classic Rock and Roll sounds of 60s and 70s bands, and he began writing and recording material that would eventually become Wiser Time’s first full-length album, “There And Back Again,” in the fall of 2006. The album was primarily a studio effort, with Sclafani and producer Anthony Krizan (Lenny Kravitz, Spin Doctors) covering the majority of the playing. While “There And Back Again” clearly pointed to Sclafani’s Rock and Roll roots, it also managed to feel like a modern-day record in current times. The album was received well and radio stations began playing it. Sclafani continued to perform throughout the New Jersey/New York area, as well as stops across the United States to the California coast.
While in support of “There And Back Again," Sclafani met drummer Steve Decker who became a member of the backing band in 2007. Wiser Time’s second full-length album, “All For One,” was recorded and released on February 1, 2008 and was a raw and emotional album that was heavily influenced by the weight of the times.
Sclafani also spent time exploring some of his earlier folk work, and was inspired to write and record a selection of stripped-down songs including the acoustic ballad, “Looking For Bob Dylan” and the emotional “What You Give - Unplugged.”
In 2009, lead guitarist Jimmy Somma was welcomed as a member of the band. Sclafani began work on Wiser Time's third full-length album with engineer and producer, Tom Camuso (Steve Earle, Medeski, Martin and Wood) in Brooklyn, NY. The sessions would be titled “Beggars And Thieves,” and became a three-day recording celebration that chronicled Sclafani’s life and some of the events that took place on the road. “Beggars And Thieves” was released on February 12, 2010.
The album received national radio play and reached #46 on the Americana Music Charts. Jim Hynes of Elmore Magazine wrote, "the easy, unpretentious feel of the music exudes a celebratory spirit," ** and Jamie Hailstone of Blues Matters hailed the album as "a masterclass in good old-fashioned back porch rock, guaranteed to bring a smile to any fan of classic rock and roll." ***
In 2012, Sclafani began work on a written word and audio EP titled, "XII" with renowned guitarist and producer Chuck Hammer (Lou Reed, David Bowie) contributing to the instrumental introduction. "XII" is a story about perseverance and rebirth in a time of global change. A fitting theme for this native New Jersey/New Yorker who began Wiser Time after the 911 attack on NY, and who just recently endured the devastation of Hurricane Sandy to the NJ shore.
“This release completes a body of work that’s been a ten-year-long creative journey," says Sclafani. "We're creating what the 21st century will become right now, and it’s such an exciting time."
"XII" is fittingly titled after Sclafani's birthday and released on 12.12.12.
* Classic Rock Magazine - September 2008, page 78
** Elmore Magazine - June 16th, 2011, elmoremagazine.com
*** Blues Matters - Issue 55, page 91
Instrumentation
Carmen Sclafani - Guitar & Vocals
Jimmy Somma - Guitar
Discography
Introducing Wiser Time - EP (2005)
There And Back Again - Album (2006)
Blue Christmas - Single (2007)
What You Give - Unplugged - Single (2007)
Looking For Bob Dylan - Single (2007)
All For One - Album (2008)
Beggars And Thieves - Album (2010)
XII - EP (2012)
Official Website
Links
Video
Press
Setlist
The typical set list includes a variation of Wiser Time original songs along with the occasional cover.
