Meet Blythe Berg | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Blythe Berg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blythe, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up in an environment where academic achievement was heavily emphasized, and I think that shaped my definition of success for quite some time. I legit thought I had to be a doctor or a lawyer to have a successful, fulfilling life. It took years of pushing myself and burning out to realize there’s another, gentler way to live. I had to let go of a lot of “shoulds” and ideas of what my life is “supposed” to look like, and tune in to what I actually wanted: to live a life that prioritizes creative expression.

While the majority of my income doesn’t come directly from my artistic endeavors (yet), I’ve loved exploring the ways my art can actually become a career path for me. Currently, I work a day job that gives me flexibility to only take creative opportunities that I’m truly excited about. Lately I’ve been focusing a lot on music and playing gigs with my band, thebodyparts.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Up until 2020 I had been very dedicated to training performing and teaching contemporary dance. When things shut down I found myself turning to music and writing lots of songs, which was something I hadn’t done since middle school. I picked up a ukulele at first, but then finally got myself a piano and dedicated lots of time to learning how to accompany myself singing and playing. I watched lots of youtube videos and started to play livestreams on Twitch or Instagram once a week playing anything people requested.

In January 2021 I reached out to an old friend from college (Emina Sonnad) who I noticed had been releasing some songs. She ended up connecting me with a producer she’d been working with (Edgar Alvis). By April 2021 I released my first single “Noodles.” In August 2021 I played my first in-person gig. I started putting out feelers to get a band together. By February 2022 I had a 5-piece band. In 2022 so far I’m grateful to have played about 30 gigs around SLO county solo and as a band: Blythe Berg and thebodyparts!

One of the most challenging moments was making the pivot from pursuing a career as a professional contemporary dancer to focusing on making music and building a career out of it. I definitely had a bit of mourning period for that version of myself. But it’s been so exciting exploring this new medium. I also have to remind myself that dance is still a big part of me and now I get to bring my dancing into live performances and music videos for my music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend visits me in San Luis Obispo we’re going to the Thursday downtown farmer’s market. We’re eating My Friend Mike’s pizza in SLO for dinner and taking a trip out to the coast to have waffles for brunch at HIdden Kitchen in Cayucos. We’re visiting the Secret Garden Organic Herb shop tucked by the creek in downtown SLO. We’re going hiking on Bishop’s peak and we are drinking delicious cocktails and having even more pizza at the Flour House in downtown SLO. Off to the coast again for MDO hikes and a ramen bowl from Kuma in Los Osos. And of course we’re taking a trip to my hometown Paso Robles to walk around the cute downtown and get more delicious cocktails at Fish Gaucho, buy something random at Earthtones and get some amazing natural products at The Natural Alternative. We’ll find some live music somewhere, probably Bristols Cider House in Atascadero or Liquid Gravity in SLO.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Emina Sonnad! Emina is a singer-songwriter based in Berlin who is a friend of mine from college. She helped me out so much when I was just starting out! She connected me with amazing collaborators and resources to get the ball rolling on releasing some of my original music.

Website: blytheberg.com

Instagram: @blytheberg

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF-Ozpn-l8463MlihO8yZbQ