MICHAEL KELSEY cannot be limited to a simple description. When
you listen to his music and see him perform live you're witnessing more than a
just another singer-songwriter. You're watching a rhythmic, inspired guitarist
and performance artist who brews soul, funk and even a little bit of the blues
into a guitar festival of organic sound. Multi-instrumentalist Kelsey has been
known to blend many musical genres with fervour and grace. When he hits the stage
to perform, he plays every inch of his guitar and makes it sing, soar, pop and
ping--by strumming it, pounding it and pulling every part of it or anything else
an arm's length or foot kick away. He has created a style that he described best
as "progressive-aggressive acoustic guitar," and he has only begun to
make a first impression.
Born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, he began his musical journey weaving
in and out of successful area bands as lead guitarist or bassist. Later he opened
and ran a thriving recording studio, which after five years he retired in order
to enable him to embark freely on his career as a solo artist.
His naturally soulful vocal illuminates carefully chosen lyrics that make his
songs shimmer and shine. He plays expressively and manipulates the guitar to
create a melodic fusion of alternate tunings and unorthodox hand positions allowing
for him to achieve a full sound. The true beauty is in the way the song, the
sound and the motion of his music unites. The songs, especially the lush instrumentals,
can be reminiscent of the late, great Michael Hedges, but boast Kelsey's personal
percussive stamp, exceptional arrangement and deliberate instrumentation.
His live performances are particularly moving. Sometimes he sounds as if he's
deftly playing more than one guitar. At a Kelsey show audience members may actually
lose themselves in the moment and forget they are listening to one person. They
can be tapping their foot one minute, in a deep trance the next, then bursting
into laughter.
After performing an opening set for folk artist David Wilcox, David described
Kelsey's show as "Cirque Du Soleil on acoustic guitar."
His love of performance extends to his fans, which gain in strength with every
show. He'd prefer them not to walk away saying, "Wow, what a great guitarist!"
Instead he hopes they go home and paint a picture, write a poem, or make music
with whatever is in their top kitchen drawer. He says, "Inspiration is
contagious and I like to help get it started."
Kelsey's abilities have enabled him to be noticed by many. A finalist in Guitar
Player Magazine's national competition and winner of Guitar Center's "Guitarmageddon,"
chosen as best unsigned guitarist out of over 3000 entrants nationwide says
it all. He has toured nationally with Blind Melon and Dishwalla and has shared
the stage with everyone from Adrian Legg to John Wesley Harding.
Press Quotes
"Michael
uses an arsenal of electronics, his Taylor 615, and his voice to create
layers of sonic adventures that challenge the limits of acoustic guitar
music." -Taylor Guitars
"A
fearless experimenter, Kelsey is an acoustic guitarist who weaves a multitude
of unusual sounds and rhythms into his patchwork quilt of work.
Part performance artist and part virtuoso musician. Kelsey takes the widest
possible variety of music and makes it his own." -Nuvo Magazine,Indianapolis, IN
"After
sets by Neal Schon and Steve Vai Michael Kelsey takes the stage. His combination
of percussive,Michael Hedges-like playing and Junior Brown-style de- and
re-tuning shows that he is indeed a viable "Guitarzilla." -MATT WEITZ - The Dallas Morning News
"Galloping
guitar work with significant crossover appeal." -Dirty Linen Magazine
"To
call the structure in his hands a guitar completely misses the point." -Fred Kraus, The Dayton Daily
"People
are going to see more of him, this man is going to have the opportunity
to communicate." -Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, of Doobie Brothers and SteelyDan
fame.
"An
astonishing performer..." -John Wesley Harding, folk artist
"
like Cirque Du Soleil on acoustic guitar." -David Wilcox, folk artist
Come down to Australia and play some....... Let me know if you get a wild hairy idea that you may want ot come out here for a bit... It would be a good thing!!! Love and a happy tune Matty
Hheeyy,u rocked last night at the taste. My cousin dani and i r learning 2 play the guitar,probaly not as good as u though lol.Keep on rockin and don't be stoppin.
hi michael, ya performance last night was awesome... totally rockin', like all ya others performance ... always u rock, thnks again 4 great show !!! ~lolita~
Thanks for adding me.You are a true guitar genius with a performance that cannot be matched by ANY artest!Nation wide and soon to be world wide,good luck and much more success..Dean
my girlfriend and i are comming to see you tomarrow night at Mad Anthonys in ft wayne, i have had your latest cd for awhile now, and tried to see one of your shows when you were in Auburn indiana, im stoked im finally gonna get to experence one of your awesome shows!
Hey Michael- just wanted to say thanks again for putting on a killer show Saturday afternoon at the arts fair. Never a dull moment at a Mike Kelsey show and that must have been my 4th or 5th. The girlfriend loves your CD also!
I've seen guys break a string in live shows before, but when you did it, it was a highlight of the show! Since I moved to Long Island, I've really missed seeing you.
Another great show tonight, man! Thanks for playing Satellite - it's my FAVORITE!!! 10 years now and runnin', I think, right? Heehee...check out my new pic! Remember my old blue guitar? :)
Thanks for the add. I'm so very glad that Sean introduced me to your music and that he and also Sarah talked me into coming out the the BrewCo Friday night. I absolutely loved the show (esp the duet with God!) and was glad to get to meet you afterward. Trips to Indy to catch more shows may be in order!!
Hey Michael. Thanks for adding us to the list. To anyone that sees this note and HAS NOT been to one of Michael's shows,....drive, fly, or even walk there to see a master do his thing. It will be worth it.
