Breakout Artist Series Continues With Joseph Arthur

For just about every one of the so-called “glamorous” professions, there is an urban legend or pipe dream associated with being discovered out of the blue or becoming an overnight success.

There’s the story of the famous actress discovered in Hollywood’s Schwab’s Pharmacy, or the brilliant writer whose first manuscript was pulled from a publisher’s slush pile, or the musician who snagged a record deal when his demo tape, sent to a legendary rock star, actually got heard.

With few exceptions (Lana Turner at the drug store and a few other rare experiences), those things don’t really happen in the real world. Except, of course, when they do.

Singer/songwriter/painter Joseph Arthur, who will be bringing his music and artwork to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center this Sunday, is living proof that with a little luck and a lot of talent, sometimes an unknown person can get the breaks.

Standing in line at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Manhattan last Friday, waiting for his chocolate glazed, Mr. Arthur told the improbable story of how he got his foot in the door in the music industry.

In 1995, at the age of 25, his demo tape, a cassette, somehow made it into the hands of Peter Gabriel through a friend of a friend. Surprisingly, Mr. Gabriel—a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and former vocalist for the superband Genesis who later launched a highly successful solo career—not only listened to the fledgling musician’s tape but he also offered Mr. Arthur a record deal. In 1996, his first album, “Big City Secrets,” was released under Mr. Gabriel’s Real World Records label, becoming the first North American artist on the label’s roster.

His follow-up project, “Come To Where I’m From,” was produced by music industry legend T Bone Burnett. A few short years later, Mr. Arthur was nominated for a Grammy Award for his 1999 extended play “Vacancy.”

Since then the prolific musician and painter has performed with Pearl Jam, Michael Stipe, Liz Phair and Ben Harper, has appeared as a musical guest on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and has even been profiled in Vanity Fair magazine. His paintings are also in demand and he has recently landed exhibits at top galleries in New York and abroad.

Mr. Arthur’s signature song, “In the Sun,” from his debut album, was recorded by Mr. Gabriel for a Princess Diana tribute album and later covered by Mr. Stipe and Coldplay’s Chris Martin on a charity single to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. His song “You’re So True,” appeared on the “Shrek 2” sound track.

The alt-rock singer/songwriter and artist’s latest album is “The Graduation Ceremony.” And on Saturday, October 8, Mr. Arthur will play songs from his two-decade career and paint canvasses while giving a concert/live art show at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. His performance will act as the kickoff for the fall continuation of the “Breakout Artists Series.”

Mr. Arthur, who has been performing music and making art since he was a kid in Akron, Ohio, said that he is influenced creatively by improvisational musicians and abstract expressionist painters.

“I hate to rehearse. There’s a large element of improvisation in what I do,” he said of his musical style, which includes jamming and improvisational studio time with Mr. Gabriel and other music legends during his time recording at Mr. Gabriel’s studio in England. He added that “Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Basquiat, those types of guys” are his idols when it comes to the canvas.

Talking about Mr. Pollock, Mr. Arthur said that he hopes to make it out to the abstract painter’s stomping ground in Springs when he’s out on the East End.

“That would be pretty cool, to see where he created,” Mr. Arthur said.

But the musical artist was quick to point out that although he has been fortunate enough to work with some big names on the stage and in the studio, he is nowhere in their league.

“I’m not on the same planet as Pearl Jam, they live in rarefied air,” he said. “The rest of us, we’re duking it out in the minor leagues in a Winnebago going from fight to fight.”

“I mean come on,” he laughed. “I’m standing in the middle of a Dunkin’ Donuts right now.”

Joseph Arthur will kick off the fall “Breakout Artists Series” at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call 288-1500, visit whbpac.org or stop by the box office on Main Street in Westhampton Beach.