Ali Brustofski Explained

Ali Brustofski
Birth Name:Allison Brustofski
Birth Date:4 October 1993
Birth Place:United States
Genre:Pop, alternative, rap
Occupation:Singer-songwriter
Years Active:2003–present
Label:Independent, Atlantic Records & WEA International Inc. for "The Next"

Allison "Ali" Brustofski (born October 4, 1993) is an American singer-songwriter from Oakland, New Jersey.[1] She was a finalist on The CW television network's singing show, in 2012,[2] [3] and the 2011 winner of New York's Z100 radio station's "Hometown Hero" competition, in which around 400 up-and-coming musicians participated.[4] As a songwriter, Brustofski won the 2009 NYC Songwriters Circle's "Young Songwriter Award".[5] On television, her original song "Rewind" was featured in two episodes of NBC's The Voice.

Brustofski is a successful YouTuber who performs cover versions of well-known artists like Katy Perry and David Guetta. As of October 2015, her YouTube channel had nearly 100 million total video views and more than a half a million subscribers.[6] She released her first original EP DreamBig independently in 2013.

Music career

YouTube

After spending several years performing in musical theater and recording voiceovers, Brustofski uploaded her 1st video to YouTube in December 2008.[7] Up to June 2014, she has uploaded over 180 videos, including over 120 music videos.[8]

Competitions and awards

NY Songwriters Circle

In November 2009, Brustofski won the NY Songwriters Circle "Young Songwriter Award" for her original song "Rewind" over 4,000 other entries.[9]

MSG Varsity Talent Show

In April 2011, Brustofski was chosen to be a contestant on the MSG Varsity Talent Show from hundreds of submissions. The show was broadcast on Cablevision's MSG Varsity Network,[10] and she reached the semi-finals.[11]

Z100/State Farm Hometown Hero

In December 2011, Brustofski won the Z100/State Farm Hometown Hero Competition. She was voted into the top 25 artists, and selected to be a top 5 finalist by a music industry A-List panel of judges.[12] Brustofski performed at the 2011 Z100 Jingle Ball Coca-Cola All-Access Lounge in the Hammerstein Ballroom on September 12, 2011 along with The Script, Gym Class Heroes, Hot Chelle Rae, and Karmin.[13] [14]

The Next: Fame Is At Your Doorstep

In August 2012, Brustofski was selected to appear on ,[15] a nationally broadcast TV singing competition show which aired on The CW Network.[16] [17] She was mentored by Gloria Estefan, performed at The Paramount Theater, and won the New York episode of the show.[18] Brustofski then worked with all four of the shows mentors: Gloria Estefan, Joe Jonas, Nelly and John Rich to prepare to perform in the semi-finals and finals[19] episodes, broadcast from The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.[20]

Recordings

Cover Songs

Brustofski has recorded over 80 individual cover songs independently, which have been distributed by MudHutDigital.com, Keep Your Soul Records, and more.[21] They include collaborations with Sabrina Carpenter, Katherine Hughes, Peter Hollens and Savannah Outen. Brustofski has also released two full albums of her cover songs: Cover to Cover,Vol. 1 and Cover to Cover, Vol. 2.[22]

The Next: Performance

Brustofski recorded five studio versions of the cover songs she performed on the television show The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep, all of which were released by Atlantic Records in 2012.[23]

Original Songs

Singles

On January 1, 2009, Brustofski released her first original single, "Up, Up, Up!" which reached No. 2 on the Tween Pop Radio Top 40. Her second single, "Rewind" was released on April 4, 2011. Brustofski's recent single "Boys Like U"[24] was made with the band "Like The Movies".

Dream Big EP

Brustofski's first EP, Dream Big, was realized through a successful Crowdfunding campaign on RocketHub. The EP was released on July 10, 2013.[25] The first single was "Green Light" and the music video for it premiered on Z100.com.[26] "You Are", the second single from the EP received its music video premiere on RyanSeacrest.com on January 17, 2014.[27] "Goodbye To The Rain" is the final single from the Dream Big EP. It also premiered on Z100.com.[28]

Acting career

Theater

Brustofski began performing at the age of three, with the first of many competition dance programs. She then acted in several New Jersey musical theater productions,[29] including "Annie" at the Darress Theatre in Boonton, NJ.[30] At 10 years old, Brustofski performed as "Brigitta" in her first professional musical, The Sound of Music, at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse.[31] [32]) Brustofski also performed Off-Broadway in the role of Nicki in "Dear Maudie" at the 78th St. Theatre.[33] [34]

Voiceover Acting

In 2003, Brustofski was hired by Nickelodeon to be the voice for Piper O'Possum, the mascot of Nick Jr., from 2004 through 2007. She has continued to do voiceover work.[35]

Discography

Albums and EPs

Notes and References

  1. The State of Independence: YouTube Star Ali Brustofski Works to Jump From Covers to Success With Own Songs. Gruger. William. June 27, 2013. Billboard. October 25, 2015.
  2. News: The Next: Fame Is At Your Doorstep: New York Picks A Winner. August 31, 2012. The Huffington Post. October 25, 2015.
  3. News: Z100 Announces Third Annual "Z100's Hometown Hero Competition Presented by State Farm®". October 25, 2015. PR Newswire. October 9, 2012.
  4. News: Devencentis. Philip. Limelight shines bright on Oakland's Ali Brustofski. October 25, 2015. The Record. January 5, 2012.
  5. Web site: New Jersey Teen Wins NYC Songwriters Circle's "Young Songwriter Award". Richards. Kevin. December 2, 2009. American Songwriter. June 19, 2014.
  6. Web site: Ali Brustofski – About. YouTube. October 25, 2015.
  7. Web site: Gimme Gimme – "Thoroughly Modern Millie" – Cover by Ali Brustofski – my 1st video ever. December 13, 2008. July 5, 2014. YouTube.com. Brustofski. Ali.
  8. Web site: YouTube – Ali Brustofski – Videos. July 5, 2014. July 5, 2014. YouTube.com. Brustofski. Ali.
  9. News: Ali Brustofski breaks through as a singer-songwriter at age 16. Beckerman. Jim. December 22, 2009. The Record. July 5, 2014.
  10. Web site: Ali Brustofski's Got Talent!. April 17, 2011. July 5, 2014. TheOaklandJournal.com.
  11. Web site: Ali Brustofski Makes the Semifinals in MSG Varsity Singing Competition. May 15, 2011. July 5, 2014. WyckoffPatch.com. Abma. Rebecca K..
  12. Web site: Z100's Hometown Hero Competition. December 5, 2011. July 5, 2014. Eventful.com.
  13. Web site: Z100's Jingle Ball 2011. December 9, 2011. July 5, 2014. Z100.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145309/http://www.z100.com/pages/events/jingle-ball/2011.html. July 14, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  14. Web site: Z100 & Coca-Cola All Access Lounge At 2011 Jingle Ball. December 9, 2011. July 5, 2014. Zimbio.com.
  15. Web site: Oakland singer Ali Brustofski, 18, to perform on CW show 'The Next'. August 27, 2012. July 5, 2014. NorthJersey.com. Toribio. Elyse.
  16. Web site: Watch Hometown Hero Ali Brustofski compete to be The Next!. August 30, 2012. July 5, 2014. Eventful.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202712/http://blog.eventful.com/demand-it/ali-brustofski-the-next/. July 14, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  17. Web site: VIDEO: Ali Brustofski In-Studio. August 29, 2012. July 6, 2014. Z100.com.
  18. Web site: 'The Next: Fame Is At Your Doorstep': Nelly And John Rich Perform, New York Picks A Winner. August 31, 2012. July 5, 2014. HuffingtonPost.com.
  19. Web site: CW's "The Next" Taping – Los Angeles, California (Ali Brustofski). October 4, 2012. July 5, 2014. Zimbio.com.
  20. Web site: Breaking News – The CW's "The Next" Announces Its Six Semi-Finalists. September 24, 2012. July 5, 2014. TheFutonCritic.com.
  21. Web site: iTunes – Music – Ali Brustofski. July 5, 2014. iTunes.Apple.com.
  22. Web site: iTunes Preview – Ali Brustofski – Cover to Cover, Vol 2. November 20, 2013. July 6, 2014. itunes.apple.com.
  23. Web site: Ali Brustofski – Discography – All Music. July 6, 2014. AllMusic.com.
  24. Web site: BOYS LIKE U – LIKE THE MOVIES AND ALI BRUSTOFSKI – VIDEO REVIEW. May 21, 2014. July 6, 2014. endlesslymusic.com.
  25. Web site: Dream Big EP By Ali Brustofski Drops Today!. July 10, 2013. July 6, 2014. SweetyHigh.com. Veronica. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212833/https://blog.sweetyhigh.com/celebrity-news/dream-big-ep-by-ali-brustofski. July 14, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  26. Web site: PREMIERE: Ali Brustofski – "Green Light". July 2, 2013. July 6, 2014. .
  27. Web site: Ali Brustofski Lights Up the Forest in 'You Are' Video. January 17, 2014. July 6, 2014. RyanSeacrest.com. Inocencio. Marc.
  28. Web site: PREMIERE: Ali Brustofski – 'Goodbye To The Rain'. September 4, 2014. November 28, 2014. Z100.com.
  29. Web site: Allison Brustofski Biography. June 21, 2014. NJTheater.com.
  30. Web site: Cast & Crew for "Annie" by "Enchanted Players". June 2003. June 21, 2014. NJTheater.com.
  31. Web site: The Sound Of Music Original Milburn, NJ (Regional) Cast. June 21, 2014. BroadwayWorld.com.
  32. Web site: The Sound Of Music. November 3, 2003. June 21, 2014. TheaterMania. Murray. Matthew.
  33. New York Theater – "Dear Maudie". Orel. Gwen. November 11, 2005. BackStage. June 21, 2014.
  34. Web site: Friends Forever. October 30, 2005. June 21, 2014. OffOffOnline.com. Cea. Adrienne.
  35. Web site: Search Reels for "Brustofski". June 21, 2014. Voicebank.net. July 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235923/http://www.voicebank.net/app/promoList.do?&SortOrder=Asc&Search=Ok. dead.