Ryan Star
I got a chance to check out a free acoustic set by Ryan Star today in Gainesville and he was nice enough to sit and chat for a bit.
I've loved his music for awhile now and I encourage you all to check out his new record "11:59" featuring the song "Breathe" which comes out very soon.
His website is here:
rstar.net
MJ
"Electricity" on Mothpod Podcast Episode 169!
My favorite podcaster Zack Daggy featured my song "Electricity" on today's "Mothpod Podcast Episode 169 - The fam". The song features Eric Stock and Jens Funke of Stroke 9 on drums and bass respectively, and my friend Steve Schiltz of Longwave and Hurricane Bells on guitar.
Check Zack's show out at the link below. He has excellent taste in music if I do say so myself. Drop him a line if you like what you hear.
"Through The Medium Of Noise" has arrived!
"Through The Medium Of Noise" has arrived after over 3 years in the making! Below is everything you need to know about the new record:
Track Listing:
1. Violet Blue
2. Everything
3. Fall Apart
4. Electricity
5. I Don't Know You Anymore
6. Never Say Goodbye
7. Stand Up
8. Because Of You
9. Electricity (The Chaos Mix)
10. Violet Blue (The Deepend Mix)
Produced, engineered, recorded, and mixed by Michael J at F.I.G. studios in Gainesville, FL
Mastered by Derron Nuhfer at Sarlaac Mastering/Crescendo Sound Studios, Gainesville, FL
All music and lyrics written by Michael J except "Electricity" - lyrics by Michael J and Nick Nanton
Additional Drums and Bass tracked by Eric Stock and Jens Funke in Los Angeles, CA
Additional guitars tracked in "The Basement", Rochester, NY
Cover art concept and design: Michael J
Michael J - Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Piano, Synth, Percussion and Programming
Steve Schiltz of Longwave and Hurricane Bells - Electric Guitar on tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, 8
Eric Stock of Stroke 9 - Drums and programming on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8,string arrangement on "Because Of You"
Jens Funke of Stroke 9 - Bass on tracks 1, 4, 5, 8
Stephanie Traver - additional vocals on "Stand Up" and "Violet Blue (The Deepend Mix)"
Special thanks to:
Mom, Dad, John, Julie, Pete, Ellisa, and Jered Smalling, Stephanie Traver, Paul Akers, Anthony Errigo, Jason Mirwald, Joel Hurlburt, John Gaenzler, Hilary Larkin, Jim Reilley, Steve Schiltz, Eric Stock, Jens Funke, John Nau, Derron Nuhfer, Nick Nanton, Michael Weiss, Clayton Bush, Jake Wilkinson, Matt Collins, John McMillan, Tony and Susan Gross, Mike Demaria, Jon Ruhff, Rob LaVaque, Andy Babiuk, Ronny Cates, Dan Dickhaus, Dargan Watts, The Mai Tai Crew, and to all my other friends, family members, and loved ones that aren't on this list... I love you all.
This record is dedicated with love and admiration to the memory of William Kane.
All songs c 2010 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Daughtry
As many of you may (or may not) know I get compared to or mistaken for Chris Daughtry...almost to an annoying extent. I must admit... the resemblance, his mannerisms onstage, and even his voice are shockingly similar to mine. The proper word I believe is...CREEPY. Fortunately for both of us, we are stylistically worlds apart.
Chris recently came to Gainesville to perform and I thought it would be fun to try and sneak my way backstage for a quick photo-op and to introduce myself. Thanks to my friend Elvio Fernandes from Rochester, NY who knows Chris, this became reality. Chris was gracious enough to take a few minutes out of his busy evening to say hello. Here is photographic proof that we are not the same person for your enjoyment. It still makes me laugh everytime I see it.
I hope you all have a very happy and safe holiday surrounded by the people that you love! Thanks as always for your continued support! See you in 2010!
Congrats to my friend Steve Schiltz!
Congratulations to my longtime friend Steve Schiltz of Longwave.
Steve's new solo project Hurricane Bells recently got a high-profile placement alongside Death Cab, The Killers, Muse and Thom Yorke of Radiohead, among others on the Twilight -New Moon soundtrack.
That means, of course, a whole new audience for Steve and his melodic, fuzzed-up garage rock: the Bells will be playing a handful of promo dates at Hot Topic stores with Moon castmembers (Nov. 10 in Philadelphia with Charlie Bewley and Daniel Cudmore, Nov. 12 in Boston with Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene), and releasing their debut record Tonight Is The Ghost digitally on the 10th as well.
Steve lent his formidable guitar playing skills to 4 of 8 new songs which I'll be releasing shortly as an EP tentatively titled, "Through The Medium Of Noise".
Check out Steve's music when you get a chance and become a fan on Facebook HERE.
Michael J on episode 160 of "The Mothpod Podcast"
Hello everyone,
Tune in to episode 160 of The Mothpod Podcast today to hear my track "Wake Up Call" from the "Evolution" EP at the link below:
Zack has a very entertaining show with some really great music (both indie and national) so check it out!
Cheers,
MJ
Michael J on the "Coverville" podcast today!
Hello everyone,
My version of U2's single "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" is airing on todays episode of "Coverville" which is one of I-Tunes highest rated podcasts.
Here is a link to the show:
Enjoy!
MJ
Gainesville Sun - Scene Magazine Article
Michael J brings passion for music to Backstage Lounge
By Dante Lima
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 11:22 a.m.
It's another packed week for Gainesville music with more than 25 shows on the slate at just about every venue in town. There are a few familiar names in the bunch both locally and nationally and even a chance to get into the action by jamming with the North Central Florida Blues Society.
Kicking off the weekend at the Backstage Lounge will be Michael J, one of Gainesville's hardest working and most talented songwriters. Chances are if you've spent enough time in town you've heard him sing a tune. For the better part of the decade he's been playing close to 300 performances a year and has played in every conceivable venue from Court of Hero's Sports Bar to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The guy flat out loves to play, and it doesn't hurt that he's pretty good at what he does.
Though Michael J has played in bands, the bulk of his work is solo, although sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. He uses an elaborate pedal set-up with his acoustic guitar to loop tracks, create alternate rhythms, add percussion and fuzz his vocals. The result is an elaborate, layered, full sound that more clearly represents his studio material in earnest, rather than sacrificing melodic texture with just the same old acoustic sound. He's also a talented vocalist who sings with Bono-like inflection and intensity and is worth checking out.
