About

Whether releasing critically acclaimed records, performing live at Madison Square Garden, or composing for film and tv, PT Walkley is consistently finding homes for all the different music in his head.  Often having a hand in multiple projects, Walkley’s trajectory is akin that of a T-Bone Burnett, a Mark Mothersbaugh, or a Damon Albarn, in that he follows his wide-ranging inspirations in order to satisfy a constant craving to make the music he loves, all the while expanding his artistic boundaries.  The common thread through his diverse catalogue is a sharp lyrical wit and an uncanny melodic sensibility which, although winding, adventurous, and at times a touch left of center, is always refreshingly accessible and ultra catchy.  Time Out NY calls Walkley’s music “vigorously tuneful and cinematic”.  In fact, his new EP Whats What offers a sneak peak at the upbeat soundtrack to Ed Burns’ new movie Nice Guy Johnny.  Walkley wrote 12 songs and the original score for the feature film, which premiers at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.

His 2009 release, Mr. Macy Wakes Alone, is a sprawling concept record, full of strings, harps, horns, flutes, choirs, recurring characters and all star collaborations with folks like Sean Lennon, David Campbell (Beck, Johnny Cash), and  Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm).  The ambitious effort has earned Walkley regular airplay on East Village Radio, KEXP, WEHM, WRXP, WFUV and Q1043, and high praise from Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR and The New Yorker.

Walkley’s film and tv work is done as a core member of Frisbie, a music company in tribeca.  His film scores include four for Ed Burns:  Looking For Kitty (2004), The Groomsmen (2006), Purple Violets (2007), and Nice Guy Johnny (2010), as well as Brennan Schroff’s Southern Belles (2005).  His commercials include Mercedes, Mastercard, GE, Campbell’s Soup, Starbucks, Macy’s, Home Goods, Dewars and Dentyne, to name a few.  Add to the list all of the music for Nickelodeon’s hit show, ‘Team Umizoomi”.

His career as a composer keeps him in NYC full time, making it difficult to tour beyond the Northeast.  However, PT Walkley has made a name for himself locally, playing with Coldplay at Madison Square Garden, with Weezer at Hammerstein Ballroom, and at last summer’s All Points West festival.  He is also  a regular at the prestigious Joe’s Pub.  Performing often in NYC means keeping the show fresh for return-customers.  Walkley has been known to deliver a riveting live set, whether solo acoustic, with piano and xylophone, with rock band, with string quartet, or with all of the above.

PT Walkley’s music spans the genres, but it is abundantly clear upon listening that each piece has come from the same head, the same heart.  ”A good, surprising melody with a heartbeat and the right words plugged in is all a song needs, no matter how it’s dressed”, Walkley tells us.  One thing is certain: PT Walkley is full of surprises.

***   Whats What is now available on itunes, and can be streamed here.

***    Next Show: Joe’s Pub, May 18th (with string quartet)