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Musikanto

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Every Which Way
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Every Which Way
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Released: May 7, 2011
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General Info

  • Genre: Americana / Folk Rock / Indie

    Location CHICAGO, Un

    Profile Views: 57145

    Last Login: 8/23/2011

    Member Since 5/13/2008

    Website www.musikantomusic.com

    Record Label Grape Juice Records

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    MUSIKANTO walks the line between Indie-Blues and Urban Americana, while borrowing elements of Experimental Folk and Broken-down Orchestral music. Growing up listening to his father's obscure folk and roots rock records and the music of Fraser and Debolt and Jerry Hahn. With a propensity toward heartbreaking ballads and melodic melodrama, Musikanto's songs have the bite of a Chicago winter and the soul of a Midwestern bon-fire. With an honest comparison, MUSIKANTO carries the lyrical weight of folks like Van Morrison and Elliott Smith and the driving tone of Ray Lamontagne and Amos Lee. His narratives rattle the core of the human spirit leaving you feeling like an outsider who witnessed something very real. After years of touring and writing, Musikanto set out to record his best record to date. He made countless long drives from Chicago to Milwaukee and back to record the new songs at a friend's home studio. During the drives, he listened to the songs develop their personalities, re-writing lyrics and adding instrumentation he heard in his head as he drove. .. ..

  • Members

    Musikanto (Guitar/vocals) -- For booking and general inquiries, please contact: Tantrum Management & Touring Matt Suhar office 773-588-8825 mobile 773-620-5419 mattsuhar@yahoo.com www.tantrummanagement.com -- For press inquiries, please contact: Sunny Day Entertainment Elliot Fox elliot@sunnydayentertainment.com -- For distribution, please contact: Grape Juice Records Ian Tsan ian@grapejuicerecords.com (312) 857-5802

  • Influences

    FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFO PLEASE VISIT MUSIKANTOMUSIC.COM ..............

  • Sounds Like

    Recent Reviews: "Musikanto will roll in from President-elect Barack Obama's old stomping ground Chicago. Musikanto has a twangy, country-influenced rock style that will be stuck in your head for days" Vox Magazine (vol. 10 issue 44) .. ................................................................................................................................. Musikanto is the latest alt-country, folk, Americana singer-songwriter to emerge from Chicago in recent years, joining the likes of Joe Pug, Tom Schraeder and His Ego and the now defunct Cracklin Moth. I had to name drop since they've all been through the studio to record live sessions. Musikanto was in the studio last week and his session is being mixed by Shirk as we speak. The debut album Ghost Pain is an addictive twangy rock affair in the same vein as bands like The Old 97's and Ryan Adams. The album is a solid effort from beginning to end and it's accessibility will satisfy both the alt-country crowd and the more casual pop-rock aficionados looking for something catchy. He's releasing it independently, but don't let that fool you. No corners were cut and this guy can put pen to paper and write great songs that are backed by more than just an acoustic guitar. You'll hear horns, piano and healthy backing vocals to jazz up his sound. Formely performing around Chicago with the band Sleeper Car, Musikanto has set out to make a name for himself. Ghost Pain will do just that. Check back next week to hear the Musikanto live session. Hearya 1/21/09.. .. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Musikanto's debut album 'Ghost Pain" is an alt-country and Americana music lover's dream with lush melodies, thought provoking lyrics and breezy, uplifting vocals. Musikanto set out on a solo career after growing up on and Chicago's northside and most recently performed with the Windy City's Sleeper Car. But with "Ghost Pain" it is clearly obvious that Musikanto was born to be a solo act. Musikanto's father enjoyed hard-to-find roots rock and folk music, and this influence shows. But Musikanto's musical style is an interesting amalgamation of the music his father loved combined with elements of soulful British rock, 90s pop/rock and Ryan Adams-style alt-country. This is a powerful and winning combination. The album begins with the melodic "Misty Morning." For someone who has never heard Musikanto, the first song will be a revelation. The artist's name "Musikanto" might indicate the music is soul or R&B. Likewise, the cover suggests the music might be experimental rock - not the best album the Drive-By Truckers never made. That's why a publicity photo of a laid-back Musikanto with his shirt open strumming a cosmetically imperfect guitar is probably a better representation of the man and his music. The second song on "Ghost Pain" is "I Ain't Your Rock" which deserves to be major radio hit. This track illustrates the best elements of Musikanto. You see, Musikanto's music will be eaten up like hot dogs at a Cubs game by the masses, but they lyrics and musicianship can be also be enjoyed, appreciated and disseminated by individuals who are more intense music aficionados. The final song "I Know Something's Going On" is a beautiful ballad. Musikanto wrote every song on "Ghost Pain," and it's clear that this musician knows how to construct a ballad that touches the heartstrings of both men and women - a rare talent. "Atomic Walls" also showcases Musikanto's songwriting skill. But the best track on the album is the haunting "To See You One More Time." The vocal performance is understated and flawless. Plus, the music is stripped bare in a way that highlights the lyrics to maximum effect. One of the best songs on "Ghost Pain" is the upbeat "Howl." Musikanto can rock a concert hall, and this track proves it. "Take It On Will," "Flowers And Stinging Bees," and "I Don't Even Know About It" all have anthem-like qualities and should also be fan favorites. "I'll Hold You Back" is one of Musikanto's most uniquely wonderful songs, and it succeeds mightily. Musikanto's "Ghost Pain" is a towering achievement that is not easily compartmentalized into one or two genres. In these days of overly packaged pop princesses using harmonizers and studio wizardry, it is downright refreshing to bear witness to the debut album of an artist who strips his soul bare and presents it on a platter in such a melodic and compelling way. CountryChart.com .. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Local Folkie You Won't Want To Miss" The Chicagoist Photo by Evan SearsAs a musician born, raised and residing in Chicago, Mike Musikanto delivers sound that retains the essence of a Windy City winter - bleak, bitter and so harsh it stings. You might remember this folk-Americana singer / songwriter from the former quintet Sleeper Car. But this past year he's been making a name for himself, performing in his self-named band, Musikanto, and promoting his debut album, Ghost Pain. Along with focusing on playing specifically for his Chicago audience, he's been hard at work coming up with fresh material and, as he says, "constantly writing and always trying to challenge myself with new sounds and styles." You can catch some of his new songs as well as favorites from his album this Friday when he performs at the Beat Kitchen's Holiday Party. Ghost Pain never quite got the attention it deserved, maybe because Musikanto released the record independently. But don't let the lack of a label fool you - this album is no basement botch-up. Musikanto proves he can write personal yet relatable lyrics that'll rip your heart strings right out. He backs up his powerful, passionate vocals with a jangly acoustic guitar and light piano and horns. The album starts out with "Misty Morning" and "I Ain't Your Rock," twangy, high-energy tracks that lean more toward the country side of Americana. But the album eases into a calmer, folkier rhythm with beautiful ballads like "To See You One More Time." It closes with "Atomic Walls" and "I Know Something's Going On," two brooding, romantic tracks that will leave you in a fulfilling sort of melancholy. Aside from Ghost Pain, a large part of his set will be new, more piano-focused material. Musikanto says he's been playing more piano this year, giving his music a different sensibility. He says, "Playing on a different instrument has helped bring me to another place emotionally and has helped me grow as a songwriter." With special mentions by both the Red Eye and Metromix, this show is sure to give his musical career a little boost. He'll be releasing a few new singles this winter and plans on another full-length album in June 2010. With raw talent and serious dedication, it's pretty clear Musikanto's on his way to becoming a big name in folk. But when he does, Chicago can rest assured that he's one artist who won't forget his local roots.

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Comments

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  • JumblePusher

     

    Hi. Your music is on JumblePusher Music + Music Video Blog! Love it! Reach me @jumblepusher if you want to send any new stuff my way.

    Thanks, and keep being excellent!

    jumblepusher.com
    twitter.com/jumblepusher

    3 months ago
  • Chicago Acoustic Underg…

    Chicago Acoustic Underground is proud to announce the posting of Episode 344 - Musikanto You can listen and download free at http://chicagoacoustic.net or you can subscribe free at iTunes in the Podcast section. Mike, what a blast we had recording this show. Thank you very much Michael Teach

    6 months ago
  • Escape The Mundane

    FOR BANDS & MUSIC ARTISTS ONLY:  http://www.titband.com/bands.html ;

    9 months ago
  • Escape The Mundane

    Hey what's up? How much would you be willing to pay for a year round band membership to a 42+ acre, multi stage venue? Our current price is set for $1000.00 year round, but we can be flexible, as long as we raise enough funds to make the initial purchase.

    Bands not in Pennsylvania might appreciate having a base of operation to fall back on while making their rounds through the Pennsylvania circuits. Word of mouth is greatly appreciated.

    More Info: http://www.myspace.com/mundaneescape/blog/542746436

    9 months ago
  • Yesenia WOrkman



    Love you !!!

    1 year ago
  • Yesenia WOrkman




    Hi, there!thanks a lot for your add.

    1 year ago
  • jbird

    love the tunes amigo...keep on rockin! hope to catchya soon...

    1 year ago
  • Delores C. Burton


    Hey!

    1 year ago
  • Sesame Ellis

    Good Morning,

    I just stopped by for a visit and to say "HI"

    1 year ago
  • Delores C. Burton


    Hello,How are you ?

    1 year ago
10 of 228More

Bio

MUSIKANTO walks the line between Indie-Blues and Urban Americana, while borrowing elements of Experimental Folk and broken-down Orchestral music. The Chicago songwriter grew up listening to his father's obscure folk and roots rock records and the music of Fraser and Debolt and Jerry Hahn. With a propensity toward heartbreaking ballads and melodic melodrama, MUSIKANTO's songs survive the bite of a Chicago Winter and the soul of a Midwestern bon-fire. MUSIKANTO carries the lyrical weight of folks like Van Morrison and Elliott Smith and the driving tone of Ray Lamontagne and Amos Lee. His narratives rattle the core of the human spirit leaving you feeling like an outsider who witnessed something very real.

After years of touring and writing, Musikanto set out to record his best record to date. He made countless late-night drives from Chicago to Milwaukee and back to record the new songs at a friend’s home studio. During the drives, he listened to the songs develop their personalities, re-writing lyrics and adding instrumentation he heard in his head as he drove.

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