Singer/songwriter Nick Venturella is trying to branch out with his latest album, "Sweetsonic." While his previous four albums have had a more introspective, traditional "singer/songwriter" feel, his latest effort is decidedly more upbeat and pop.

"Someone asked me once why I never have any happy songs," Venturella said. "The singer/songwriter part of my music is always going to be there, but I wanted to grow musically."

That change is evident on the 11 acoustic guitar driven songs that make up "Sweetsonic." The opening track "1,000 Years" brings to mind Glen Phillips or The Pretenders. "World Of Illusion" sees Venturella mixing catchy melodies with clever writing and "You And Me Against The World" is downright joyous.

Venturella hasn't abandoned his roots, though. For him, it's all part of becoming a well-rounded artist.

"I want to hone my lyrics and storytelling, and hopefully have a bigger audience along with that."

The album, while focusing on what Venturella calls "individual stories thread together by the battle of love," also wanders into darker territory. "No Escape" offers a shade from the warm sunshine of the album's more positive and upbeat tracks, and "What Will Be Will Be" is a refreshing attempt at something different.

The cohesive flow of the album stems from Venturella's writing process. He writes daily, but inspiration for crafting lyrics into songs strikes more randomly.

"I'll start to jot ideas down and look back at them months later when something in my head clicks."

One reason Venturella has been able to get those ideas out is the fact that Venturella is on his own label, Oatmeal Records. Though he's the only artist that's actually on Oatmeal at the moment, Venturella says it helped him get his foot in the door when his career started and makes his music easier to promote with a more "professional" look.

"For those who aren't familiar with me or my music, seeing that logo on a flyer or a CD cover gives it a certain 'prestige' that might not be there otherwise."

Born in St. Louis and raised in Waukesha, Venturella now lives in Madison. He enjoys the Madison music scene as well as the convenient location it gives a traveling musician.

"Being in Madison, I'm a hop, skip and a jump away from the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Chicago and upper Iowa. I'm getting more exposure in the college market, so Madison's a good place to be."


"Sweetsonic" is in stores now.

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