At a crossroads, he followed Yogi Berra’s legendary advice – he followed it.

Since then, he has practiced law after passing the bar in New York and Minnesota. In March, he released his third album (his first full length album), “Lay It Bare”, under the nickname The Record Summer.

His collaborators on the project include several musicians from Minneapolis, including members of Haley Bonar’s band The Pines; Andrew Bird’s touring guitarist; and the Lazerbeak of Doomtree.

The album has a layered new wave post-punk sound. With synths, soft voices, he recalls the legendary British group New Order.

Rodysill returned to Minnesota in 2008 after leaving New York to attend law school at the University of Minnesota. He had found success as a musician while attending Columbia University in New York.

Despite his law studies, he never completely stopped making music.

“I didn’t really make a choice,” he said. “I just kept doing both.”

During orientation at U of M, Rodysill performed a solo acoustic show at the Fine Line in Minneapolis.

He distributed flyers for the show to his fellow law students. It wouldn’t hurt to try and increase attendance at a solo show on a Wednesday night, he said. They were confused.

“They had no idea what to do about it at all,” he said.

The Record Summer, “Lay it Bare” 2021, Bodan Kuma Recordings

In 2010, Rodysill released an EP, “Race to the Bottom”, on the Minneapolis label Catlick Records. This outing secured her a spot at a music festival in Barcelona, ​​as well as a spot at South by Southwest (SXSW). He then released two singles on London label Loose Narrative.

His first legal position was with Winslett Studnicky McCormick & Bomser LLP, which, among others, represents artists. His work there kept him close to the entertainment industry and allowed him to work with music and entertainment contracts, which came in handy for him when negotiating with record companies.

“They are not going to be able to fuck me up,” he said. “Well, too.”

The company has adapted to its musical schedule, including when he performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas for a second time.

Reconciling music and law has not always been easy. A job as a lawyer in New York took him to review contracts and required 60 hours of work per week.

“I don’t mind being busy,” he said. “I don’t like working on just one thing. “

Bret Rodysill of The Record Summer has balanced a career in law and a career in music. Rodysill released his first full album titled “Lay it Bare” earlier this year. Rodysill is pictured on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in downtown Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Music was never going to be relegated to a hobby.

“I never just sit and play,” he said. “I like to do stuff and bring it out.”

That’s what he’s doing with his new album.

“I’m working to see what happens on the business side of things with this album,” he said.

This could include a series of tour dates, remixes and possibly a re-release with wider distribution possibilities.

As for law, that career is on hold for the time being, he said, adding that he was considering returning.

Rodysill said he plans to return to entertainment law, either back at Winslett Studnicky McCormick & Bomser or starting his own practice and contracting with that company and others.

“I’ll probably continue with this frivolous pursuit,” he joked.

Rodysill currently spends his time between Los Angeles, New York and Rochester as he contemplates his next moves, both in law and in music.