> MUSIC
Peter Gabriel, Trent Reznor, Emmett Chapman, Rufus Wainwright, Ween, Muse, Elbow, Fiona Apple, Tool, Four Tet, Ratatat, Cat Stevens, Bobby McFerrin, Ben Harper, That 1 Guy, Dave Matthews Band, Zilla, Andreas Kapsalis Trio, Willy Porter, J.S. Bach, Arvo Pärt, The Books, Joseph Arthur, & Boards of Canada
> IMAGERY
Alex Grey, David Titterington, Andy Goldsworthy, H.R. Giger, Kris D, Mars-1, Andrew Jones, Kris Kuksi, Alfons Mucha, Robert Bakker, William Stout, Tony DiTerlizzi, & Ernst Haeckel
> WRITING
Hakim Bey, Tom Robbins, Alan Moore, Richard Brautigan, Alan Moore, Annie Dillard, Greg Egan, Charles Stross, Daniel Pinchbeck, Ken Wilber, Paul Lonely, Michael Crichton, Rob Brezsny, & Terence McKenna
Sounds Like
"Monstrously talented...an act the likes of which I have not seen in a long time."
- Willy Porter
"Entertaining songs that completely upend the stereotypes of what one may think of as intelligent music...instantly memorable and utterly magnetic tunes whose authenticity and sweetness is boundary breaking."
- Paul Lonely, author of Suicide Dictionary
"Watching your show the other day was a
PROFOUND spiritual experience for me...a highlight
of my musical experiences up till this point. Dude, you hit me on the
deepest soul level."
- DJ Dreamcode
"This music makes me high. [Michael's] guitar talks. It tells stories and laughs and enters into shamanic fits…but it also weaves together a blanket of the familiar."
- David Titterington, visionary artist
"While I MEAN to give helpful, rational feedback, all I want to do is run around and throw copies of your CD at people, photograph their faces upon listening, and give THAT to you instead. The music makes me FEEL too strongly to be able to THINK about it enough to speak on it in a way that would be useful to you."
- Ruth Smith (Kansas City, MO, USA)
You can listen to and download my music for free right here:
> WRITING
I write and give public presentations to explore the relationships between art, science, music, culture, technology, and spirituality – illuminating the deep connections between them. Check out my visionary music blog or the following selections:
There is an artist in each of us with a sacred responsibility to inspire people, to restore their wonder and courage. Society needs artists – as much as it needs farmers or doctors or engineers – to remind us that we're all participating in the ongoing creation of the universe, and invite us to the party. Here's how I do my part:
> MUSIC
My music is a cathedral to paradox – a tireless effort to integrate emotional depth with dazzling skill, intellectual enthusiasm and spiritual expanse, acoustic grace and electronic grit, head and heart and hips. To explore the mixed blessing of our common human experience, to breathe life and mystery into everyday existence, and to celebrate our humble place in it all.
I do my best to leverage my music for the greater good, demonstrating the practical value of music by playing benefit concerts, organizing musical communities for learning and social change, and releasing my recordings under a Creative Commons license to be freely shared and remixed by my fans. I'm always on the lookout for new ways to make music and new ways to put it to use and would love your input.
By the way: in-person performances are sooo much better. And I love traveling to play shows at people's homes. Organizing a house concert is easier than you think. Email me if you're interested!
> IMAGERY
Using paint markers on masonite in live music environments, I improvise vivid, organic images informed by biology and evolutionary spirituality, science fiction and psychedelic shamanism (full gallery here). Since November of 2007, I've painted for an enormous array of musical acts (full list here). For an in-depth look at my art and process, visit my live painting blog.
Offering Hands (Double-Edged Sword EP, 2008) & Live Painting Timelapse
$15 11x17 laser jet prints are available for all of my paintings, and I'm open to all kinds of contract work (from album covers to tattoo designs to custom hats and t-shirts), so don't hesitate to email me with requests.
"I really like it. I run a music site and manage bands in Austin and I see lot of live painting going on at shows, but it's pretty rare that I actually like the finished product!"
- Tyler Groover, twogroove.com
Hey, thanks for the add, as well, so very Kool. Don't worry, I never ever get tired of listening to anyones music. (well only if it's noise,lol) everyone is talented on "MY Space" I think some are way better than some artists out there. am I right? YOU are one of them, my new friend. Hey I write poetry & quotes, so I invite you to read some of my work, on my Blog. Enjoy, let me know what you think, Thanks. Remember: MUSIC is what makes the world go around
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But, it too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
I stop by your site again and wanted to tell you I enjoyed your music very much. You really have a great voice and I am so glad we are friends. Thanks for inspiring me in my writings.
That would be cool, but you may be thinking of wyoming the state, I live in wyoming the town, in Illinois. i get that all the time though, but by the way good tunes man.
Thank you for your great music and for being my friend, I enjoy the music and hearing what you might have next too show me. I wish you great success in your career and again thanks for the friendship.
Always aim higher than you believe you can reach. So often, you'll discover that when your talents are set free by your imagination, you can achieve any goal.
If people offer their help or wisdom as you go through life, accept it gratefully. You can learn much from those who have gone before you. But never be afraid or hesitant to step off the accepted path and head off in your own direction if your heart tells you that it's the right way for you.
Always believe that you will ultimately succeed at whatever you do, and never forget the value of persistence, discipline, and determination.
You are meant to be whatever you dream of becoming.
Hi Michael! Hope you're well. I just posted some solo original tunes you should check out! Also, AK is passing through CO this week with Goran Ivanovic guitar duo. Cheers, Darren
WHAT IS HAPPINESS? The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room .... just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged, it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life." She went on to explain, "Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing." And with a smile, she said: "Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred. 2. Free your mind from worries. 3. Live simply. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less."
oh man! I was at Black Rock City and did not know you were there...I apologize for missing your music/art. Hope you had a blessed time, as I'm sure we all did. Also, do you know my friend Life, from Tucson? He seems to know of you....
