Christian TV (musician)
Encyclopedia
Christian Berishaj is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, mixer, videographer and designer 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.
by his mother, Crystal Lutz and his first stepfather. Lutz and Berishaj later left him because he would beat her. They had to rely on welfare to get by. His biological father, Nick Berishaj (Albanian) is a successful real estate mogul. Nick bought Christian a guitar when he was in the fourth grade. 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. He also learned how to play other instruments and began holding neighborhood garage performances with a band, Snowhite, he formed with three other members. He attended South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores. Eventually, he began mailing demos and performance videos to record labels, having his mother cold call A&R
representatives. By eighteen, Berishaj had written and recorded a whole album, Love Arcade, on which he plays all the instruments.
He secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records
, after turning down an offer from Sony Records, along with his band in 2005. His demos had impressed David Wimmer and Leslie Dweck of Atlantic, who were taken by Berishaj's drive and ambition. 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. After three years together, the band broke up.
Berishaj then left Detroit for Los Angeles. He began working on his solo debut with Luke Walker
of The Summer Obsession
. 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 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
. 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
.
, Phil Collins
, Fiona Apple
, Radiohead
, Hatiras and Boys Noize
as influences on his music.
Love Arcade
Love Arcade was an American alternative/powerpop band founded by Christian Berishaj. Their debut album, Love Arcade was released in 2006.-History:...
, 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.
Life and career
Berishaj was raised in Eastpointe, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
by his mother, Crystal Lutz and his first stepfather. Lutz and Berishaj later left him because he would beat her. They had to rely on welfare to get by. His biological father, Nick Berishaj (Albanian) is a successful real estate mogul. Nick bought Christian a guitar when he was in the fourth grade. Christian started working on Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
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. He also learned how to play other instruments and began holding neighborhood garage performances with a band, Snowhite, he formed with three other members. He attended South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores. Eventually, he began mailing demos and performance videos to record labels, having his mother cold call A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
representatives. By eighteen, Berishaj had written and recorded a whole album, Love Arcade, on which he plays all the instruments.
He secured a recording contract with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, after turning down an offer from Sony Records, along with his band in 2005. His demos had impressed David Wimmer and Leslie Dweck of Atlantic, who were taken by Berishaj's drive and ambition. Love Arcade was released in 2006 with the band credited as Love Arcade
Love Arcade
Love Arcade was an American alternative/powerpop band founded by Christian Berishaj. Their debut album, Love Arcade was released in 2006.-History:...
, the other members served as the touring band only, not performing on the record. After three years together, the band broke up.
Berishaj then left Detroit for Los Angeles. He began working on his solo debut with Luke Walker
Lucien Walker
Luke Whitman Walker is a singer and the bassist of punk rock band The Summer Obsession and former frontman of the punk rock band Start Trouble.- The Summer Obsession :...
of The Summer Obsession
The Summer Obsession
The Summer Obsession is a punk band from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, United States. The band originally started in 2004 by Luke Walker & Fin Leavell. They went through several members until they recruited drummer Chris Wilson...
. His song, "1, 2, 3, Turn Around" was featured in the 2009 film, Fired Up
Fired Up (film)
Fired Up! is a 2009 teen comedy film produced and directed by Will Gluck and written by Freedom Jones. The main plot revolves around two popular high school football players who create their lie to attend cheerleading camp for the summer and get close to its female cheerleaders.-Plot:Nick Brady...
. 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
Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label as well.Changes were made at...
in January 2010. An alternate music video for "When She Turns 18" stars model and actress Breana mcdow A short tour with the Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, 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
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
. In October, Berishaj released his first mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
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
Black Cards
Black Cards is an American electropop band formed in July 2010 as Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz's new main project following the group's indefinite break. The band is composed of vocalist Bebe Rexha, bassist Pete Wentz, drummer Spencer Peterson and guitarist Nate Patterson...
in the UK.
Berishaj's debut album, Diary of an 80's Baby will be released in 2011, featuring production by Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf is an American singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Cash Money Records. Rudolf is mostly known for singing and producing rock/pop music...
, No I.D.
No I.D.
No I.D., officially known as Immenslope and also known as Ernest Wilson , is a hip hop and R&B record producer, also the vice-president of Def Jam Recordings, best known for his early work with Chicago rapper Common and is known as "The Godfather of Chicago hip hop".. The nickname 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
Millionaires (band)
Millionaires is a group consisting of two sisters, Melissa Marie and Allison Green, from Orange County, California. The group, formed in August 2007, was widely known for mixing heavily explicit lyrics with a bubbly electropop sound. Their image and lyrics have generated considerable controversy,...
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
Hitomi
better known by her stagename , is a Japanese singer and songwriter. She began her career as model, and after meeting Tetsuya Komuro he began managing her career as a pop singer...
's album Spirit
Spirit (Hitomi album)
-Charts:Oricon Sales Chart...
.
Influences
Berishaj has listed PrincePrince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
, Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Apple met international acclaim for her 1996 debut album, Tidal, which was a critical and commercial success...
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, Hatiras and Boys Noize
Boys Noize
Boys Noize is the stage name of Alexander Ridha, a German electronic music producer and DJ. It is similar to the name of Ridha's label, Boysnoize Records, which he established in 2005...
as influences on his music.
Mixtapes
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Who The F*ck Is Christian TV
|
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" |