- Christian TV (musician)
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Christian TV Birth name Christian Berishaj Also known as Snowhite Origin Detroit, Michigan, United States Genres Electropop, dance pop, hip hop Occupations Singer, songwriter, producer Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, violin, drums[1] Labels Universal Motown, Mercury Associated acts Love Arcade Website thisischristiantv.com Christian Berishaj (stage name Christian TV) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, mixer, videographer and designer[2][3] and a former member of the band, Love Arcade, in which he was known as Snowhite. Having recorded, written and produced the entire Love Arcade album by himself at the age of eighteen, he secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records along with a band he had put together. The band members acted as his touring band, while he performed all instruments in studio recordings. Love Arcade broke up three years after releasing the album in 2006 and Berishaj began working on a solo album under the name of Christian TV, signing with Universal Motown in 2010.
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Life and career
Berishaj was raised in Eastpointe, Michigan by his mother, Crystal Lutz and his first stepfather.[2] Lutz and Berishaj later left him because he would beat her. They had to rely on welfare to get by.[1] His biological father, Nick Berishaj (Albanian) is a successful real estate mogul.[1] Nick bought Christian a guitar when he was in the fourth grade.[1] Christian started working on Pro Tools at the age of twelve. He began writing songs which he recorded on equipment bought by Nick, who had reconnected with Christian and was funding him for such purchases.[1] He also learned how to play other instruments and began holding neighborhood garage performances with a band, Snowhite, he formed with three other members.[1] He attended South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores.[1] Eventually, he began mailing demos and performance videos to record labels, having his mother cold call A&R representatives.[1][4] By eighteen, Berishaj had written and recorded a whole album, Love Arcade, on which he plays all the instruments.[4]
He secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records, after turning down an offer from Sony Records, along with his band in 2005.[2][3][4][5] His demos had impressed David Wimmer and Leslie Dweck of Atlantic, who were taken by Berishaj's drive and ambition.[1] Love Arcade was released in 2006 with the band credited as Love Arcade, the other members served as the touring band only, not performing on the record.[4] After three years together, the band broke up.[5]
Berishaj then left Detroit for Los Angeles. He began working on his solo debut with Luke Walker of The Summer Obsession.[3] His song, "1, 2, 3, Turn Around" was featured in the 2009 film, Fired Up. He used the money earned from the licensing to fund a music video for the song "When She Turns 18", which resulted in him signing to Universal Motown Records in January 2010. An alternate music video for "When She Turns 18" stars model and actress Breana mcdow[5][6] A short tour with the Backstreet Boys followed in the summer. On July 29, 2010 Christian TV made his network television debut by performing "When She Turns 18" live on So You Think You Can Dance.[3] In October, Berishaj released his first mixtape entitled "Who The F*ck Is Christian TV" for free. During this time he also went on tour supporting Pete Wentz and his new band Black Cards in the UK.
Berishaj's debut album, Diary of an 80's Baby will be released in 2011, featuring production by Kevin Rudolf, No I.D., co-production with Luke Walker and Berishaj himself. "When She Turns 18" was released in the UK in January, while "Love2Baby" impacted US radio in February. In summer 2011, he toured the US with the Millionaires as well as Breathe Electric and Set It Off. He also was featured on Millionaires single, "Summer Nights" and co-wrote a song for Japanese pop singer, Hitomi's album Spirit.
Influences
Berishaj has listed Prince, Phil Collins, Fiona Apple, Radiohead, Hatiras and Boys Noize as influences on his music.[2]
Discography
Mixtapes
Year Album details 2010 Who The F*ck Is Christian TV - Release date: October 31, 2010
Music videos
Year Video Director 2009 "Drop Dead Gorgeous Jamie" Christian TV 2010 "When She Turns 18" Original David Yarovesky and Christian TV "When She Turns 18" Ethan Lader "Let's Just F*ck" Christian TV 2011 "Love2Baby" References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i http://www2.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=8151
- ^ a b c d http://www.awantedmag.com/Issue-1/the-new-west-coast-entourage.html
- ^ a b c d http://www.arjanwrites.com/arjanwrites/2010/08/free-mp3-download-christian-tv-when-she-turns-18.html
- ^ a b c d http://www.allmusic.com/artist/love-arcade-p764110/biography
- ^ a b c http://www.jonalisblog.com/2010/11/alis-blog-interviews-christian-tv.html
- ^ http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/05/14/christian-tv-when-she-turns-18/
External links
Categories:- American power pop groups
- Atlantic Records artists
- Mercury Records artists
- Musical groups from Michigan
- Living people
- American dance musicians
- American hip hop musicians
- American male singers
- English-language singers
- Hip hop singers
- Musicians from Detroit, Michigan
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