Christy Bruneau

Between promoting her latest CD, "Somewhere in the Middle" (available at Warwick's and on iTunes), performing local shows, working on new material, and being mom to a 4-year-old son, Christy Bruneau took time to talk.

The singer/songwriter discussed everything from motherhood to her dream tour-mate.

Although she lives in La Jolla, Bruneau said she did not move to San Diego until 1995. Born and raised in Arizona, she attended Arizona State University for a while, "trying to discover what I was passionate about." She landed in San Diego because she wanted to be near the ocean.

"Having lived here for 15 years now, I will never leave," she said. "La Jolla has a tremendous sense of community. That's what I love. The people of La Jolla are so friendly. My son goes to a wonderful school, and my husband, Drew, who was born in La Jolla, is part of the surfing community."

Bruneau said her favorite place to perform is Java Joe's in Oceanside because it holds a special place in her heart: It was the first place she performed to launch her career.

Intimate coffeehouses match her musical style, which she describes as "storyteller Americana." She said, depending on the song, she likes to use varied instruments - from guitar to mandolin to the accordion. Her first CD, "Angels of Mercy," was recorded in 2002.

Although Bruneau said she performs less than she once did, she would consider touring other parts of the country, particularly the country music heartland. But it would have to be in the summer months as she continues her "other job" as a middle school teacher. Bruneau received her teaching credential from San Diego State University in 2000.

Who inspires her work as an artist?

"I admire musicians who stay true to themselves," she said. "Like local musicians Gregory Page and Catherine Beeks, who are really wonderful. I'm also inspired by Viktor Frankl, the Holocaust survivor, and people who want to bring peace to the world."

Without hesitation, she said she her favorite singer is Ben Harper. "Yeah, it's my dream to go on tour with Ben Harper," she laughed.

"Who's on my iPod? Neil Young; Linda Ronstadt; Damien Rice; Buffalo Springfield (my son's current favorite); Jason Mraz, I love his new CD; Folding Mr. Lincoln; Patti Griffin; Ben Harper, of course; Willie Nelson; and Miranda Lambert. She's fantastic."

Coming off a five-year break from performing to focus on being a parent, Bruneau said motherhood is treating her well and certainly influences her music.

"Being a mom, well it's the most I've ever learned about myself," she said. "I've learned how to be patient, about balance, how to say no. I also learned how naive I was. There are just certain things you don't know until you're a parent."

NEXT GIG
When: 8 p.m. Aug. 13

Where: North Park Music Thing at the Claire de Lune, 2906 University Ave., San Diego

Contact: (619) 688-9845, contact@clairedelune.com

Tickets: $20 at www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org

Read more about theNorth Park Music Thing
- La Jolla Light

At 34, singer and songwriter Christy Bruneau was told by her producer that she had to choose between having a music career and having children.

“Why would I have to choose that?” Bruneau asked.

Bruneau, who married La Jolla native Drew Littlemore in 2004, wanted to have a child and be a musician.

Female musicians don’t have to choose, said Bruneau, who is now 39 and the mother of a 4 1/2-year-old son named Julian.

Bruneau took five years off from performing and recording music to spend time with her family, but she never stopped writing music and lyrics.

“The balance is day to day,” said Bruneau of how she finds her rhythm to maintain both family and work now that she is back on the scene recording and playing at local venues.

She wakes up early most days to write music and is more particular about when she performs compared to the freer manner in which she once coordinated her performances prior to having a child.

“It’s the opposite of most song writers,” Bruneau said.

She does set aside work-only time, taking the opportunity to drive from La Jolla to Los Angeles, spend time with friends and write music.

The advances in technology in the last five years have allowed her to play with and explore her music more, Bruneau said. She also noted that there are more venues for local artists to play compared to five years ago.

“There’s a lot more opportunity for live music,” Bruneau said.

She describes her music as Americana, folk-rock, similar to the sound of the Dixie Chicks with some Natalie Merchant mixed in. Bruneau plays the guitar and sings.

Her new CD, “Somewhere in the Middle,” is a compilation of songs written over the last 10 years.

Bruneau lived in Ocean Beach in the late 1990s, when Java Joe’s, a popular music venue for up-and-coming talent, was still located there before it moved to Hillcrest.

“I would walk down and play the singer-songwriter shows,” Bruneau said.

The upcoming June 19 release party for Bruneau’s new CD will take place at Java Joe’s, located at 3834 Fifth Ave. The party is open to the public and will begin at 8:30 p.m. There will be a $6 cover charge.

Bruneau will perform songs from her CD alongside mandolin player Mike Hayter.

The new CD is available at Warwick’s.

Read more: San Diego Community News Group - She can have it all music motherhood Christy Bruneau releases a new CD finds balance between music and child - San Diego Community Newspaper Group