FEATURE ARTISTS

Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter, Mike Mangione, recently released a new 11 track CD entitled, Blood & Water, his sixth full-length album. “The blood signifies the sacrifice, an open wound, pain and the giving of self,” he explained recently. “The water represents cleansing, rebirth, growth, life and becoming anew. My desire is to dwell with the listener and ponder these things together.”

Leaving His Roots Leaving Roots Roots

Mike grew up in Chicago, but eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue his love of music. He then bought a van to live in while he toured the U.S., before settling into a little town along Lake Michigan, north of Milwaukee Wisconsin. Mike recalls his mother actually introducing he and his brother to music, “to keep us from fighting,” he said; His brother on guitar, and Mike on drums. “He still plays with me today.”

“I grew up on a lot of Dylan, Van Morrison, The Band, stuff like that,” Mike said. “My uncles actually gave me my childhood nickname, Spike Jones, after The Band lyric from “Cripple Creek.” The unique thing about my childhood, I think, is that I appreciated the greats of my time early on. I had a few ear candy tapes, but for the most part, it was deep music, even as a child. As a teen, I really got into Levon Helm,

Peter Gabriel, Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois and Tom Waits. They spoke of something bigger than themselves, and I felt the weight of it all.”

Mike developed his taste for music in high school like so many other musicians. “I went to a great school in Chicago that appreciated the arts,” he recalled. “A lot of great performers came out of there in my time from Actor, Arian Moyad, Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, Actress Emily Bergl, and Star Wars voice and former band mate Sam Witwer. Our school rallied behind the arts. The Choir program was incredible, and that’s where I began to see the future.” He went on to attend Marquette University, specifically, because it was in a city, so he could study, and have venues to perform in. ”It was there that I felt music had some legs for me,” Mike said.

Formative Years Formative Years Formative Years Formative Years

Mike’s time on the road, in his van, were important formative years for his career as well. “When I lived in a van, I learned how to play and engage an audience.” He said. “You learn fast when the TV is on behind you in Eaton, Ohio, and you don’t know a soul in sight. I learned how to use silence as another instrument; and how to draw others in and converse with ‘em.”

“I watched a lot of other artists, and learned from them too. Eventually I started playing better shows, and becoming friends with some really inspirational people. The other artists around me mixed with my love from the tradition of Americana, and it’s my biggest influence still.”

Mike’s advice when attempting to write a song – “don’t force it. I go through cycles. Writing time, editing and fine tuning time, recording time and finally release and playing. I’m always playing, but the intention shifts when I have new material. I do this because I now have more responsibility, and need to be artist, husband, and dad. When I am in writing time, I record all of my ideas. They are all melodic at first. When I listen back, if something catches my attention, I mark it, and then come back. When I come back, I listen for any lyrics that might fit the cadence and emotion. I then spend months, even years, writing the story and arranging the song. Some songs come out in one night, and some take five years. I never rush it, and I am more than willing to leave a song off a record, only to appear years later on another release. “Better Days,” on this latest release, is an example of one of those long developments.”

Mike says playing live is his favorite way to share his music. “The performance is the real deal,” he said. “When I can either bomb or have my music resonate your heart, that’s when I feel the intention of the music being realized. I love small, intimate house concerts or listening rooms. I love sharing a whole night and then talking with the audience, learning about them. It feels so complete.” www.mikemangione.com www.mikemangione.com

“I started music because it was the best way for me to express myself. If I go to a party, I never feel totally understood and may be a little quiet. If I play a house concert and then hang out with the audience after, I feel like I’ve expressed myself fully, and can really go deep with people in conversation. I Love That!