Cabrera pushes America

The next big thing is coming to the UW HUB today and he's bringing his guitar -- so Pi Kappa Phi president Mike Podobnik believes.

"I chanced upon [Ryan Cabrera] a year or two ago," says Podobnik. "I immediately knew that he was an artist to keep an eye on."

Podobnik is the student responsible for linking UW with Cabrera's national Pi Kappa campus tour, and getting the singer to donate all show proceeds to Push America, a disability-oriented charity founded by the fraternity. In a city full to the brim with acoustic-guitar-slinging singer-songwriters, many might question the logic that leads Podobnik to import his talent from Texas, but a quick listen to Cabrera's latest sampler should soon put such doubts to rest.

At 21, the wild-haired youngster is already producing bouncy, soulful ballads capable of inspiring envy in artists twice his age. Combining soft, Clapton-esque tunes like the uplifting "True" with the jazzy, danceable "Let's Take Our Time," Cabrera's brand of pop-rock is blatantly unafraid of pushing the envelope.

Nowhere is this more obvious than in the unconventional, sampled rhythms of "On the Way Down," in which the finger of producer Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) shows prominently in the recording. Add in manager Joe Simpson (father and manager of pop starlet Jessica Simpson) and a multi-record deal with Atlantic Records, and it would seem that Podobnik's predictions are correct -- Cabrera seems primed and ready for greater things.

That said, success hasn't come easy. Originally the lead vocalist for a punk act called Rubix Groove, Cabrera dropped the band for an acoustic guitar after hearing Dave Matthews for the first time during his freshman year at the University of Texas. Realizing exactly how far he was from where he wanted to be, Cabrera signed up for voice lessons with celebrity vocal coach Linda Septien, and shortly afterward left college to pursue music full time. His family was not amused.

"I dropped out of school when my parents were out of town," says Cabrera. "When they got back, they were pissed -- but there wasn't much that they could do. I started my own vocal boot camp. I locked myself in my room for four or five hours a day and sang vocal scales for about five months. I still don't think my dad believes playing music is a real job, but they're supportive." He pauses. "At least, now they are."