the buzz...
Tue, 09 Mar 2010
Busy, Busy, Busy! 2010 is looking to be the year of Collaborations. I'm involved in a few real exciting projects at the moment, and I've been splitting my time between them. It's too early to post details, but I'm writing this now because my silence on this blog may lead my poor innocent readers (all 1 or 2 of them) to assume that nothing is going on (as has usually been the case in past periods of no posting). I am also still working on the new album here and there, as well as a couple of singles on top of it all!I recently remixed "He Won't Last". The new version can be heard on my website, as well as other places I've posted it (including the ReverbNation player in the sidebar).
I've recently joined the Power of Prog network, so you can check my profile over there and join if you like.
Looks like my humble little ELP video is a hit! I've gotten so many favorable comments on it from the various sites I've posted it to. Thanks to everyone for watching!
I want to thank fellow keyboard player Mike Visaggio for becoming such a vocal supporter of my Arisen cd recently. Mike is the main man behind Kinetic Element. Their latest cd, Powered By Light is a joy to listen to. I believe they are looking for a new bass player, so anyone interested in giving it a shot should get in touch with them.
I will be attending RosFest this year with my buddy Eddie Jerlin. I look forward to getting together with Eddie again and hanging out with some of the bands - especially C-Prog colleagues Ajalon and Unitopia, who are both performing. And I expect to thank Mike Visaggio in person as well.
another album I can't wait for...
Mon, 15 Feb 2010
I've only recently discovered Laura Casale's music, but I'm already a big fan! Excellent songwriting and musicianship, evocative vocals, dynamic and captivating arrangements... and layers of keyboards all over the place! Piano-driven progressive rock meets new age sensitivity. Just magic! I can't wait for Laura to finish her album, because I simply have to have it! Check out her music on MySpace.
Spotlight on a Friend
Sun, 14 Feb 2010
I first met Charlie Lang in 2006. It was totally on a whim. I was browsing the local musicians classifieds, as I do sometimes, and I came across a real intriguing ad by a guy looking for other players. Something about it compelled me to click over to his website where I was drawn in by Charlie's music, art and very unique and engaging bio. I knew right away that Charlie was something special, and I was lucky to find him. I didn't even email him - I just blindly mailed him my cd without even a note! This was a guy who obviously communicated his thoughts best through his music, and I think somehow I knew that I didn't need to say anything. Anyway, a few days later he emailed me and as we started to correspond, we easily bonded. Charlie didn't live too far from me, but he didn't drive, so for the next couple of years I was able to get over and visit with him a few times. We became not only friends but advocates and admirers of each other's music. I'm still amazed at how quickly Charlie can process music in his head, and at his creative brilliance on the piano. He's one of the most genuine and gentlest souls I have ever known. In 2008 Charlie moved to Australia where he lives today, and I miss him. Now his new cd, Free, is released, and I couldn't be happier!
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.
To read older posts or leave comments, please visit Mike's Blog.
Go to Mike's Homepage
| 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 solo album, released in 2006,is a potent blend of progressive and classic rock. The album contains songs written over a span of many years, dating back to Mike's earliest musical influences and creative inspirations. 
CPR 3 is the latest in a series of Christian Progressive Rock compilations that was conceived by a core group of the artists themselves.
Releases have featured such artists as Kerry Livgren (Kansas, Proto-Kaw), Neal Morse, Phil Keaggy, Rick Wakeman (Yes) with Ajalon, Dave Bainbridge (Iona), Glass Hammer, Salem Hill and many others.
more...
Soundscapes 1 is a promotional CD 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 on this release.
more...
Mike's Production Music CD-R is a collection of electronic instrumental pieces compiled from various side projects.
These particular tracks were produced between 2003 - 2005.
Mike contributed to this primarily instrumental release from Vertical Alignment. Lost in Spaceis a celebration of the achievements of NASA and the great American space program. more... |
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