Pete Herger

A lawyer by day and an up-and-coming rock 'n' roll musician by night, Peter Herger has been taking the Danbury area by storm with his music, a mix of rock and storytelling.
Herger's first music video, "A Train," has had more than 1 million hits on YouTube.
He's gotten the word out through a grassroots campaign that is strong on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.
He and his music have also been showcased on a number of prominent blogs and websites, such as Rolling Stone's.
Herger, who has a legal practice in Danbury and White Plains, N.Y., said right now he doesn't make enough money to quit his legal career, but would like to one day. He's always thinking ahead.
Landmarks such as Danbury's Palace Theater are among some of the local places where he has performed. He played at Taste of Danbury last month, opening for former Journey singer Steve Augeri, and will play at Molly Darcy's today in a benefit, Cure for Kyle.
The fundraiser is for Kyle Quine, a Danbury newlywed who needs back surgery for a form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.
Herger said he's looking forward to being among the performers in that event, and that giving back to the community is part of being a musician.
Herger's next album will be from the CBGB Festival in New York City. He said the music and album will be "live, raw and energetic."
In a recent interview, Herger discussed his music and motivation.
Q: Tell us about "A Train." What is it about and what message do you hope to share with it?
A: "A Train," as a song, is about facing fear in order to find your way to a better place. My intent and concern was how do you get to the Promised Land, which is a better place, not necessarily a physical place. "A Train" is a driving force for people being able to get aboard, face their fears, rediscover their better human values and find the will within themselves to take the ride.
Q: What is your advice to musicians out there trying to get noticed?
A: Just stay true to yourself and your music, and know who your audience is.
Q: Who do you most admire musically?
A: I have always been a Paul McCartney fan. I learned to play piano at St. Peter on Main Street. The first thing I remember from a rock 'n' roll album is side one of the Beatles' "White Album." It's got some great McCartney tunes, like "Rocky Raccoon," which is a brilliant piece of storytelling.
Q: What is next for you musically?
A: We are in the process of finishing mastering for "Live at CBGBs Festival." We will be building the fall tour around releasing live, extended-play records toward the end of October.
Q: What does it take to break through in the music industry?
A: It takes an enormous amount of patience and even more perseverance. It's tougher today than it ever was. The actual physical business has shrunk as it relates to record companies. There are, however, more actual artists making CDs.
Q: You've already found success as a lawyer, so why choose a career in music?
A: I think it chooses you. You have to have the love and passion for it, and I do. You need to believe you have something that is authentic to say in your own truth as an artist.
Q: Have you been able to make a living with your music alone?
A: The day job is your paid job until you can spend all day and all night playing rock 'n' roll.
Q: How many music videos have you done before this, or is this
your first?
A: "A Train" was the first one and we're super excited it became a smash hit with over 1 million views. Our friend at WRKI (i95), Tim Sheehan, has been putting our song on the radio. We are looking to put more music videos out there in the next few months.
Q: Do you feel your musical ability is inherited or learned?
A: I think it is a little bit of both. I couldn't be doing what I'm doing without a mom duct-taping my behind to the piano bench when I was a little boy. - The Connecticut Post

"His music has a way of getting into your head and you can't get it out."

"In a roundabout way, I write about a search for justice in a world not welcoming of those values."

"Law and music are both professions and a calling." - Connecticut Law Tribune

"His music has a way of getting into your head and you can't get it out."

"In a roundabout way, I write about a search for justice in a world not welcoming of those values."

"Law and music are both professions and a calling." - Connecticut Law Tribune

Pete Herger, an independent rock musician from Danbury, celebrated a career milestone recently when his first music video topped 1 million hits on YouTube.

Filmed in locations throughout Danbury, including the Danbury Railway Museum and Tarrywhile Park, the video for “A Train” follows a young girl as she waits alone in a cafe, and then, at the railway station. The images are interspersed with emotive scenes of Herger and his band performing.

“It’s about facing fear in order to find your way to a better place,” Herger said of the video in a recent interview with the Danbury News-Times. “My intent and concern was how do you get to the Promised Land, which is a better place, not necessarily a physical place.”

Herger, a lawyer who has a legal practice in Danbury and White Plains, N.Y., said right now he doesn’t make enough money to quit his legal career, but would like to one day. His debut self-titled EP can be purchased on iTunes.

The video was directed by Matt Landin of New York City-based Messy House Motion Pictures. - Culture Cache - Hearst Media Connecticut

Pete Herger – This band comes to us from Danbury, CT. The song submitted (“Yell It Out”)begins with a very Bruce Springsteen-ish vibe to it musically. Impressively, as the vocals build the feel of the song switches completely to remind me of U2. It should be noted that the production of this song is very good. I would recommend this to anyone modern pop rock fans out there. - The Ripple Effect Blog

"The Pete Herger Band is the Band of the Future." - Jimbo Kramer, Music Promoter, Kramerfest, CBGB Festival

(WTNH) -- They say that great artists create universal messages that everyone can relate to, but the truly talented add deeper dimensions, seamlessly connecting people, time periods, and locations. Pete Herger does just that by tapping into his rock ‘n’ roll roots, and growing from them into today’s music scene.

Herger’s music is a steady flow of inspiration that breathes an uplifting air, focusing on making a sincere connection with his audience. His songs are snapshots of raw honesty, stories of life, love, and the universal human virtues framed by carefully crafted melodies, toe-tapping guitar lines, and flawless violin turns. Injections of driving percussion and pithy instrumental riffs round out a an inviting yet distinct sound.

Each dimension of Herger’s music calls on the brilliance of relevant rockers, ranging from the arrangements of The Beatles and the lyrical passion of Bruce Springsteen to the melodic honesty of U2.

However, Herger wouldn’t truly be following in their footsteps if he wasn’t cementing his own original rock identity, which he does in his appropriately titled debut EP, “Get Aboard,” produced by Grammy® nominee Alex Salzman.

For more information about Pete Herger and his Northeast tour, log on to www.peteherger.com .
- WTNH Channel 8's "CT Style," TV Appearance & Web Content

(WTNH) -- They say that great artists create universal messages that everyone can relate to, but the truly talented add deeper dimensions, seamlessly connecting people, time periods, and locations. Pete Herger does just that by tapping into his rock ‘n’ roll roots, and growing from them into today’s music scene.

Herger’s music is a steady flow of inspiration that breathes an uplifting air, focusing on making a sincere connection with his audience. His songs are snapshots of raw honesty, stories of life, love, and the universal human virtues framed by carefully crafted melodies, toe-tapping guitar lines, and flawless violin turns. Injections of driving percussion and pithy instrumental riffs round out a an inviting yet distinct sound.

Each dimension of Herger’s music calls on the brilliance of relevant rockers, ranging from the arrangements of The Beatles and the lyrical passion of Bruce Springsteen to the melodic honesty of U2.

However, Herger wouldn’t truly be following in their footsteps if he wasn’t cementing his own original rock identity, which he does in his appropriately titled debut EP, “Get Aboard,” produced by Grammy® nominee Alex Salzman.

For more information about Pete Herger and his Northeast tour, log on to www.peteherger.com .
- WTNH Channel 8's "CT Style," TV Appearance & Web Content

"One of The Top 300 Artists in New York City" - The Deli

"One of The Top 300 Artists in New York City" - The Deli

" Pete Herger is that kind of rock singer-songwriter that comes along once in a generation, combining the melodic pop sensibility of The Beatles, Billy Joel, and U2 with the lyrical power of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young into great songs that become important parts of your life." - Mike Greenhaus, Editor, Relix Magazine - Relix Magazine