I have released a new song, called "Love is Free". Joining me on this one are David Wallimann (guitar), Van Hunsberger (drums, percussion) and Randy George (bass). Everyone did a great job! You can check it out in the ReverbNation player, or download it exclusively from CD Baby. New music from Vertical Alignment Tue, 08 Jun 2010
Pete Jorgensen has released 2 new singles that I sing lead vocals on: "Land and Sky", and "Native Son" (the latter written by me). Both are part of his ongoing project about the Cherokee nation. Also coming soon is a new edition of Pete's Lost in Space album, which will include a new song sung by me, as well as the extended version of my piece, "The Viking Mission". Check out the revamped Vertical Alignment website for details on the new music. video fun with ELP Mon, 01 Feb 2010
I got it in my head about a year ago to try and make a couple of videos like this. Other artists I know have posted their modest little home-made videos on YouTube and gotten lots of hits and positive response. Well, I guess people just love to watch stuff. An audio mp3 sitting on a website may get a few takers, but with video, it's a whole other thing. So, I plan to make a couple more of these when I can. Next time, it will be my own music though.
A while ago I started working on an Emerson, Lake & Palmer medley on the piano, should I ever decide to do solo singer/songwriter type gigs. My medley started off with 'Eruption' and 'Stones of Years' from Tarkus, then went into 'Take a Pebble' (just the vocal sections, without the instrumental middle), then back into more of Tarkus with 'The Battlefield' and 'Aquatarkus'. It all worked pretty well I think. I took a few liberties with the arrangement and interpretation of course, so as to not simply be a human jukebox (I mean, what's the point of that?).
I was planing on recording the whole thing that way, but I just couldn't get the piano to record well; and I'm not a recording engineer, after all. If I can't get a good sound by sticking a couple of mics in it, then the heck with it. But recently, I programmed a nice meaty sound on my old Korg 01/W and gave it a shot and it sounded great! Of course, a synth is infinitely easier to record, so I was back in business.
By the way, I'm singing through a Neumann KMS-105 mic that I absolutely love! Best stage mic I have ever used. Everlasting Arms Mon, 19 Oct 2009
It was a privilege to perform with Everlasting Arms at their new album release concert this past Sunday in Staten Island, NY. Their new cd is called "On Broken Wings". I offer my sincere thanks to group co-founder and dear friend Eddie Jerlin for including me, and trusting me to sing two songs. And a big thanks to the wonderfully talented musicians in the Salem Church worship band for making me feel so welcome. New Music! Tue, 13 Oct 2009
I took all of September and devoted it to finally producing "He Won't Last" - which was sitting around in demo form for a couple of years (some of you may have heard it). I really enjoyed working on this because it was a 1 song project, and not the beast that an album project is. I've already decided that after the new album is finished, I'm only going to do singles. They're much more fun! The process reminded me of when I was composing my production music pieces years ago; just sitting in front of a blank canvas with one simple idea to flesh out. Seems I can focus better when I'm looking at less to do.
I'm real happy with how the song came out. A key change, some lyric changes, and some real guitar playing helped, no doubt! The new lyrical slant of the song was inspired by the documentary Expelled. I think this song would make a great video (any interested film or videomakers coming across this - please contact me!).
Since I was starting on something fresh I wanted to bring in some fresh influences. So joining me on the song is Glass Hammer's fiery guitarist David Wallimann, and Nashville session ace Jaymi Millard on bass. Jaymi has also been working with Pete Jorgensen and myself on Vertical Alignment music during the past months. It was especially a pleasure working with David on this track, as his guitar ideas inspired me to do some reworking of the keyboard parts, and the song is better for it. I certainly look forward to having him play on more of my music. Arisen going, going, going.... Sun, 11 Jan 2009
Just mailed out a few more Arisen cds today... Wow, less than 100 left!
I've literally sold cds all over the world, in dozens of countries. And I've sent freebies and promos all over the world too, of which a fair percentage show up on Amazon and other places. I guess this is unavoidable, unless I want to send out crippled promos. But I'm just happy to see the cds in circulation, rather than sitting in a pile in some reviewer's basement. If someone can make a few bucks off my name, that's ok by me, because it means the cd at least ended up with somebody who wanted it enough to pay for it.
I figure with my sales (and assuming I sell most of the remaining 90+ units), I've pretty much recovered my manufacturing, shipping and even advertising costs. Of course, I'm still operating at a sizeable loss, but I'm not in this for the money, after all.
So, I will probably consider pressing Arisen again when my next album is ready to be released (and I do have a couple of bonus tracks in mind ;-).
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has supported the album! I'm extremely humbled to say that there are simply too many to list. It's hard to believe it's been 3 years now since I nervously mailed out my first pile of promos. I still have fond memories of that early momentum that was kick-started back in 2006, thanks to some great people who voiced support: Dave Taylor (Spiritualprog), Mark Stephens (Progressive Positivity), Kenny Solomon (Progressive Soundscapes), George Roldan (RoSfest), Tonny Larsen (Prog Planet), Greg Walker (Syn-Phonic), Mark Blair Glunt (Silent Planet), Andrew Rockwell (Angelic Warlord), and many more who soon followed all within that exciting year. And of course I can't forget my biggest supporter - Pete Jorgensen! PeterJ gets Lost in Space... Mon, 05 Jan 2009
New music from Vertical Alignment! Check it out, and buy the cd or download it, at ThunderSongs. This is a real nice experimental, electronic project that my friend Pete Jorgensen put together while taking a break from working on 'The Trail of Tears Suite' album. I contributed a track to this collection - The Viking Mission (seeing as it fit with Pete's NASA theme), and a few synthesizer noodlings in the title cut. Thankyou Progressive Rock Hall of Fame Sun, 21 Dec 2008
I just want to thank Laurie Larson, Nick Katona, Jim Roberts and all others at the Progressive Rock Hall of Fame for not only putting this release together at their own expense, but also for their follow-up promotional efforts (the cd is being distributed - at no cost to the artists - to commercial media outlets throughout the country).
'Soundscapes 1' is a fantastic compilation, and I'm honored to have my song 'Fractured' (from the Arisen album) appear on it. Congratulations to all involved! CPR 3 Thu, 31 Jul 2008
The latest Christian Progressive Rock compilation album, CPR Volume 3, is now officially released. This is really a great disc! Below is the track list:
Unitopia - Lives Go Round Ted Leonard - The Name of God Phil Keaggy - Passport Mike Florio - The Wise Man Apple Pie - Solution Greg Wollan - Deep Calls 2 Deep Mike Lockett - The Dust Pursuit - Quest Ad Astra - Angle of Repose Time Horizon - Life Fantastic Everlasting Arms - The Mirror
The Wise Man is a new song, that will appear on my next album (whenever that may be...). You can read about it (and download it :-) at ThunderSongs.
I am grateful to be a part of the CPR community, and honored to be associated with all the wonderful people that comprise it!
The cd can be ordered from my website. So get one before they're all gone!
Music
Bio
Mike Florio enjoys working on a variety of projects in his personal studio in the suburbs of New York city. His musical tastes range from progressive and classic rock, to electronic, new age and film music. He has been a keyboard player, lead singer and songwriter, as well as a composer of soundtrack and production music.
Mike's 2006 debut release, Arisen, was very well-received by the progressive rock community. Since then, Mike's music has appeared on two compilation albums: Christian Progressive Rock's CPR volume 3, which features a new song written specifically for the compilation, and the Progressive Rock Hall of Fame's Soundscapes volume 1.
Currently, Mike's musical pursuits include producing his second solo album and collaborating with other artists on various projects.
Discography
Arisen, Mike's first album, released in 2006, features a potent blend of progressive and classic rock.
Arisen has garnered many enthusiastic reviews worldwide.
CPR volume 3, released in 2008, is the latest in a series of Christian Progressive Rock compilations that was conceived by a core group of the artists themselves.
Soundscapes is a promotional release produced by the Progressive Rock Hall of Fame. Some of the best indie artists in all prog genres are included with some of the 2008 award winners.
Production Music is a collection of Mike's electronic instrumental work compiled from various side projects.
These particular pieces were produced between 2003 - 2005.
Mike contributed a track, as well as keys and vocals to this release from Vertical Alignment. Lost in Space is a celebration of the achievements of NASA and the great American space program.
Available at Thundersongs
Land and Sky contains two brand new singles released by Vertical Alignment.
Mike sings lead on both songs, and wrote the B-side tune, "Native Son".
Available at Thundersongs
I have released a new song, called "Love is Free". Joining me on this one are David Wallimann (guitar), Van Hunsberger (drums, percussion) and Randy George (bass). Everyone did a great job! You can check it out in the ReverbNation player, or download it exclusively from 
Pete Jorgensen has released 2 new singles that I sing lead vocals on: "Land and Sky", and "Native Son" (the latter written by me). Both are part of his ongoing project about the Cherokee nation. Also coming soon is a new edition of Pete's Lost in Space album, which will include a new song sung by me, as well as the extended version of my piece, "The Viking Mission". Check out the revamped Vertical Alignment 
It was a privilege to perform with 
I took all of September and devoted it to finally producing "He Won't Last" - which was sitting around in demo form for a couple of years (some of you may have heard it). I really enjoyed working on this because it was a 1 song project, and not the beast that an album project is. I've already decided that after the new album is finished, I'm only going to do singles. They're much more fun! The process reminded me of when I was composing my production music pieces years ago; just sitting in front of a blank canvas with one simple idea to flesh out. Seems I can focus better when I'm looking at less to do.
Just mailed out a few more Arisen cds today... Wow, less than 100 left!
New music from Vertical Alignment! Check it out, and buy the cd or download it, at 
Received my personal copies of the 
The latest 
Mike Florio enjoys working on a variety of projects in his personal studio in the suburbs of New York city. His musical tastes range from progressive and classic rock, to electronic, new age and film music. He has been a keyboard player, lead singer and songwriter, as well as a composer of soundtrack and production music.
Arisen, Mike's first album, released in 2006, features a potent blend of progressive and classic rock.
Arisen has garnered many enthusiastic reviews worldwide.
