Brian Scartocci : Solo

Mr. Monday Night

Words by Sam Lauron Photos by Eric Morales

While most of the world struggles to muster up any energy on a Monday, it’s the night when Skylark Lounge comes alive, thanks to one musician. Gracing the stage at the beginning of every week with his vibrant energy and retro soul tunes is Brian Scartocci, or Mr. Monday Night as he’s known at the lounge. “Mondays are my favorite night of the week,” he smiles.

A New Jersey native, Brian remembers being captured by soul music as a kid. He was so drawn to the harmonic tunes and fervent notes of soul that he even broke his parent’s record player one time trying to play The Drifters’ Golden Hits.

It wasn’t until middle school, however, that Brian realized his own ability to write and sing soul. During what he describes as a “tough move,” performing music was the only way he felt like he could fit in at a new school. “[Soul music] is something that always made me feel comfortable in my skin and in the world,” he recalls. 

He continued to lean on music as he got older, eventually moving to Austin to raise a family and legitimize his career. For nearly ten years, Brian performed with local bands at venues like Skylark and Antone’s, and even made an appearance on The Voice in 2012. But, behind his spirited music style, the reality was that he felt defeated. After losing two jobs, a car, and finding himself alone, life in Austin wasn’t proving to be the joyous ride he had hoped it would be. He decided to take a step back and leave the city, with no plans on returning. “I understood Austin,” he says, “but I just didn’t understand where my place was in Austin.” 

Finding his place

Looking back, he credits Johnny La Touf, owner of Skylark Lounge, as being a catalyst in helping to restart his career. During Brian’s indefinite hiatus, Johnny would check in and eventually persuaded him to come back and play a Monday night set, a typically slow night for the lounge. Not one to give up on something, Brian decided to give music another shot, this time as a solo artist. “If I was going to come back and try it again,” he remembers, “I was going to do it with less compromise.”

The recurring Monday night set gave him an opportunity to discover who he was and what he wanted out of his career. With rekindled motivation, Brian used the obstacles he overcame to fuel his energetic and heartfelt performances. After playing at Skylark Lounge every Monday night for the past two years, he’s successfully found his place in Austin’s music scene. 

Stepping away from music and returning with a renewed sense of self proved to be just the thing Brian needed to find his groove and embrace his experiences. “They gave me a garbage night, and I’ve turned it into something beautiful,” he remarks, “which is basically the story of my life.”

Contact
brianscartocci.com
@thebrianscartocci

Listen Online
Spotify
YouTube
Apple Music
SoundCloud

Read about other musicians in Solo: Finding a Place in the Music