Todd Michalik, (pronounced ma-hall-ick) originally hails from beautiful Cape Breton Island on Canada’s eastern shores. He has been active in the local Halifax, Nova Scotia indie music scene since the early 1990’s, playing in such bands as Cheese Ranch, Grain Elevator and more recently in The Rest. Todd’s last solo release, “Jig’s Up”, appeared in record stores Friday, Feb.16th, 2007. The album was premiered at Sam the Record Man in Halifax with a celebrated in-store appearance by Todd as part of the East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) no case series of live performances by local artists. For “Jig’s Up”, Todd got reacquainted with producer and SuperFriendz/Buck 65 alumnus Charles Austin of Echo Chamber Audio. Starting in late 2006 Todd and Charles began work on two songs, “Snow Plowin” and “Elft” that would eventually make it onto the local Halifax Christmas sampler, “Elft”, raising funds for the Mercy Centre charity in Bangkok, Thailand. In doing so, Todd completed the trilogy of "Felt","Left", and "Elft" albums of 2006. “Jig’s Up” contained a continuation of Todd and Charles’ “Elft” recording sessions with songs as varied as the alt-countrified “Worshipping Bugs” and “The Empties” to the poignantly seductive “Earth & Ocean”, “Jig’s Up” and the jangly Hali-pop of “No Strings”, featuring ECMA award winner Jonathan Andrews on mandolin. Most recently Todd has been busy making videos for the songs. “Earth and Ocean/In The Neck of the Woods”, “Instant Classic” and “Nude Beach” with Roughly Edited Productions. All videos can be seen on youtube, Todd’s official myspace page and soon here on “The Official Todd Michalik Facebook Music Group”.
One of Todd's friends once said that the number eight reminded him of hippos,so for Todd it was only fitting that 2008 be the "Year of the Hippo".In the dying days of December 2007 Todd felt an epiphany of sorts and wanted to wake himeself up musically and throw caution to the wind.The idea was to do the opposite of what was done on previous releases.At first "Year of the Hippo" was to be an acoustic record,but after the first session that idea fast faded.While the album does contain it's share of acoustic songs(Well on her way,Never you mind,Hippos)however the hippo took on a life of it's own and became a band project.Todd remembers,"the best thing about the writing and recording of the hippo was the ease and total effortlessness that went into it,I don't think that I really had to work on anything,it practically wrote itself as if scripted".Some were written live off the floor(Tepid Charlie,the Bees Kneez),inspired by other tracks that were being recorded,while others were resuscitated back to life from demo wasteland and reworked to fit the album(Through the Roff,Lampshade Eyes).Todd feels that the overall making of "Year of the Hippo" was the easiest and most pleasant expereinec recording,with best friendly and carefree folk such as Charles Austin,Mike McFarland,Shant Pelley,Sara Whittier,Andrew Glencross and the youthful exuberance of Rob Potoroka.
"Year of the Hippo" is Todd Michalik's first release through gooseberry Records and will be available October 2008 through Sonic Unyon Distribution,itunes and Zunior.
I'm hitting the road in a couple of weeks to raise money for War Child, Coast-to-coast – 50 cities – ALL PROCEEDS TO WARCHILD. Why? 66% of all war victims are CHILDREN. Shocked like me? War Child helps these children that have been affected by war. Check out the new blog – the whole story is up there. Love to have you be a part of it.
You’ll find a Blog, Tour page and a Bio page. I’ll be blogging daily from the road.
Just stopping by to say hi and give you some news. The new album 'Welcome To Murraysville' from Phil Murray and the Boys From Bury is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
Take care and keep in touch.
Best, Faber.
"Just a guy trying to make the world a better place. "
We all have worked hard towards our dreams in 2008 … always remember, it is NOT easy, but it is not IMPOSSIBLE!!!
For those who visited our sites, listened to our songs, paid attention and gave their time…THANK YOU ; ) That is best Xmas present you could have given us.
For those who haven’t visited us yet… also THANK YOU for being there, we’ll keep the faith and be there waiting for you.
May the Holy Spirit bless your life and bring an amazing 2009!!!
Andrea, Rut, Dany, Danilo, Luis, Chup, Sergio and Enrique. E H CONNECTED
We're now accepting submissions for our next mixtapes, please submit your info at www. coast2coastsubmissions. com for your chance to get a spot on the next mixtape!
Enter the Hi Rollerz Records Contest to get a $20,000 record deal!
Hey T, You know I have told you already, I was lucky enough to hear most of the new album before the release at your place.You also know I'm honest, if I did'nt like it I would say so, but I have to tell you, Well on her way is absolutely beautiful, and No Sense is such a trashy Halifax rock song, I love it, the best line is the first, Sweet Mutha of God lol that is briliant, NB was fun, we'll talk when you get back home.
.. Hi there todd michalik first of all we'd like to say thanks for being our myspace pal. We wanted to make sure you knew the reason incase we suddenly vanish off of your friends list. The movement we've started for indie artists has grown significantly and consumes all of our time these days. We seldom sign into our myspace account and this is making several people believe that we are ignoring them. We are not ignoring anyone, we wanted everyone to know that. What we're doing has become so busy we just don't have the time for myspace any longer, so in all honesty we are probably going to just close our myspace account.
Many people wanted to use us in the future so if you were one of those people you can click the link below to visit our profile which wlil provide you with more information and also give you the link to our website! I wish you the best of luck in your music career. Thanks again for being our myspace pal.
wow i'm so hyped i had to tell you, i actually decided to try one of those free cash card offers, you know that $500 Macys one, and it really did work i can't believe it. you should go here and get one too, you see...?
Sorry for the mass comment but I just want to fill you in!
I've got a new record coming out!! I've been working on "Can't Let Go" for a long time and it's gonna be in stores in Canada on June the 5th so check it out! The single "11:30" was sent to radio last week so keep an ear out and request it. Hear it and a few other new tracks on my profile... "Can't Let Go" is available NOW on CD Baby.com and through iTunes soon.
I'll be having a CD release party on the 16th of June at the El Mocambo in Toronto. I'll have the full band and we'll be playing the new record live. Also, my good friend Mike Evin will be opening. Come down and join my party!!
I dig your music and your space, Todd. Halifax is a cool scene and we'd be grateful if you could keep us informed with what's going on there. We have Down With The Butterfly coming to Toronto and I am getting them into the studio for a show when they're here. I am looking forward to that.
It's a big myspace out there and thanks for finding us. If you have a flair for internet radio, let us know what you think about our all Canadian indie show at www.indiecan.com
We're in touch with our fans. We're always listening. CMW was awesome and we already have piles reported in audio, pics and reviews - lots more to come.
Cheers,
Joe Chisholm
host
IndieCan Radio
www.indiecan.com
more pics, intervies and other Canadian Music Week coverage than their own web site!
Just stopping by to say hello and to hopefully put a smile on your face.
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