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An Urbanian Exclusive: Mikky Ekko
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Besides having one of the coolest names you’ll ever come across, Mikky Ekko is behind some of the be...Besides having one of the coolest names you’ll ever come across, Mikky Ekko is behind some of the best possible musical gifts to give to your ears.
When I first heard Ekko’s music I was immediately hooked into the haunting-like sound of his vocals. In a couple songs, especially “Sedated,” one could draw slight comparisons to Thom Yorke of Radiohead.
The Urbanian was recently lucky enough to talk with Ekko about his music.
Music first became an obsession for Ekko when he got a tape player/FM radio. He would start making all sorts of mixtapes from the radio. For as long as he can remember, music has been a very important thing in his life.
Ekko is from Nashville, Tenn., and like any self-proclaimed music lover knows, Nashville is enriched with a music background. However, Ekko says it’s not the music background of the city that gives him influence towards making music.
“I think most people who live here would say what keeps them here is much less about the music and much more about the family and community aspects. There are a lot of artists here, and regardless of how we feel about the music, people here are known first and foremost by how they treat people, which I think speaks volumes of a city. That's what keeps me here and it lets me free my head from the 'character' artists easily fall into in social settings with other musicians. It allows me to keep that headspace clear for writing, which is more than a blessing in my opinion.”
Earlier I described Ekko’s sound as “haunting-like.” He says that he’s hesitant about describing his music, but he gave us some insight.
“I would describe it as the best representation of me right now. With the 'Strange Fruit' release I would say the music harbors a sort of angst, hopeful spirit.”
“Strange Fruit” is Ekko’s five-song record, which was released on iTunes for download on Feb. 15, of this year. He said that seeing the record go up on iTunes was very monumental. However, he said he still has much to learn. Getting in that first step has allowed him to push himself to writing more. He says he now spends about four hours a day on the writing side. He is currently working on his next release. He said he wasn’t at liberty to speak much about it, but said that it should fill in the spaces of the musical character.
Just like any artist, there’s always some kind of influence and inspiration drawn from other artists in the music making process. Ekko’s gave us a couple of his.
“I really like the Pixies from that sort of 'just barely controlled chaos' spot. The a cappella works of Eric Whitacre, which I haven't listened to in quite some time were crucial, I think, in helping me take a deep breath and re-focus.”
He went on to say why sometimes he may need to re-focus.
“Here's the thing... I obsess for very short periods of time. I get very intimately involved with a record for about two weeks, then I move on... knowing I may or may not come back to it, but now have it to reference when I need it.”
A self-proclaimed “scatterbrain,” this shows a bit in Ekko’s musical taste. What I mean is that his favorite music spreads across many different genres and doesn’t stick to one thing. Examples include Robert Johnson, RJD2, Sigur Ros, Beck, Gorillaz, and Elliott Smith. I asked him if he thinks this widespread of different music enhances his own music making.
“I think it's important to take in as much music as possible. To be a discerning sponge so to speak (laughs). Whether it enhances my music making is debatable. It enhances my quality of life, though, for sure.”
Since Ekko takes in as much music as possible, I thought it would be interesting to see what artists he would love to collaborate with someday. He explained that there are tons of artists he would love to work with, not necessarily because it would be a good fit, but because he loves their music.
“Well after the 'Extraordinary Machines' release I probably would have said Fiona Apple, but I think now I mostly just want to kiss her. It’s funny; I really like strong female artists, so Bjork and Lykke Li are probably in there with a handful of others. For the most part, though, I feel like I really need to develop my sound more to figure out who would be a really good match. I think it's more important to find a good fit after I’ve really honed in on my craft.”
Through the discussion, 2009 seems like it will be a very busy year for Ekko.
“I’ve been writing for the next release and I’m really excited about the way the songs are turning out. I'm tentatively planning on doing some blitzkrieg touring in the fall/winter of '09 into the spring, just depending on where the next release sits. I've been really humbled by the response to this first release, though, and it's been a total blessing to finally begin to see that coming to fruition.”
It should be noted that during his performances he says he likes to paint regions of his face for his live shows. He says that it’s therapeutic for him. This immediately made me think of Bob Dylan crica 1975, during the Rolling Thunder Tour when he painted his face for live shows.
Ekko’s “Strange Fruit,” is quite the ripe kind of fruit for your ear to eat up and fully enjoy. In his song, “I Love You, I Always Have,” he sings, “I'll say what I mean even if I look foolish.” Well, I’ll say what I mean, but I won’t look foolish when I say you need to go listen to his music right now.
http://theurbanian.com/2009/03/13/an-urbanian-exclusive-mikky-ekko/
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Mikky Ekko Delivers Stunning Performance, Channels Morrison and Buckley
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Thursday night (April 2, 2009) Nashville-based Mikky Ekko delivered a brilliant 40-minute set that d...Thursday night (April 2, 2009) Nashville-based Mikky Ekko delivered a brilliant 40-minute set that deserves comparison to two of rock 'n' roll's best: Jim Morrison and Jeff Buckley.
Ekko's vocals are easily comparable to the late Jeff Buckley and he has as much vocal control and range as Rufus Wainright. Take those vocal gifts and combine them with the stage-presence, lyrical poetry, and emotional intensity of The Doors' Jim Morrison and you've got what will no doubt be the next superstar to emerge from Nashville's over-saturated indie music scene—Mikky Ekko.
The songs are all driven and controlled by Ekko's vocals. He moves effortlessly from a jazzy Chet Baker vibe to the haunting whispers reminiscent of The The's Matt Johnson to the explosive intensity of Jim Morrison and Trent Reznor. All of these comparisons can and should be made; however, Mikky Ekko is a complete original. He is quite simply the most interesting and brilliant new artist this writer has seen since randomly catching a very young Kings of Leon open for Josh Rouse at 12th & Porter many years ago.
Ekko's band is an organic mix of straight-ahead guitars, bass, keys, and drums. The music serves to compliment and assist Ekko, who drives the songs with his vocal control and emotional intensity. He takes center-stage and controls the room like some kind of Pentecostal preacher--it's hypnotizing stuff, nothing short of brilliant. Ekko just released an EP that showcases his vocal abilities but doesn't capture the emotional intensity of the live show. Go see him live and see for yourself. Ekko is opening for Paper Route for their CD release at the Exit/In on May 2. This show will sell out fast so get your tickets early, as this much anticipated show promises to be one of this year's best.
—Vincent Wynne
http://listennashville.com/mikky-ekko-april22009.html
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Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit (2009)
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Newcomer Mikky Ekko is a hard act to label. Where does he fit within the framework of rock & roll? H...Newcomer Mikky Ekko is a hard act to label. Where does he fit within the framework of rock & roll? His music doesn't offer any of the long solos, recurring themes, or suites so common in prog-rock (so categorizing his debut CD as such would not be totally accurate) yet it's a description that fits. Ekko cites a huge number of musical influences. Among them are Beck, The Pixies, Bjork, Sigur Ros, Tom Waits, Elliot Smith, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Radiohead, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, Nirvana, and Soundgarden. To this listener's ears his mostly low-key, brief, thirteen minute, five song, EP clearly shows traces of Radiohead as well as Bell X1, Pink Floyd, and Smile era Beach Boys. His vocals are reminiscent of Freddie Mercury in a mellow mood. All of this blends well together into a unique musical pastiche that never sounds dated.
As is typical with a lot of prog-rock the lyrics are often not easily transparent so the listener must be in a thinking mood to fully appreciate them. However, since melody and sound textures are more important to Ekko's songs they are thoroughly fulfilling anyway.
Ekko is a Nashville native who proves that not everybody in town twangs and wears a cowboy hat. The CD was produced by Tim Lauer in his Nashville studio with Ekko co-producing. No biographical information is available.
http://bloggerhythms.blogspot.com/2009/05/mikky-ekko-strange-fruit-2009.html
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Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit
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Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit
Owain Paciuszko
32 second lead track Only in Dreams introduces the...Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit
Owain Paciuszko
32 second lead track Only in Dreams introduces the listener to Mikky Ekko's soft, lilting voice as it echoes (rather aptly) over a synth-line before the track segues neatly into Sedated. Backing vocals grumble with the operatic murmur of Rufus Wainwright, while an eccentric-pop beat has all the funk swagger of Prince, which should indicate that this EP is produced with truckloads of imaginatio and an ear for the grand. Ekko's vocals are a light counterpoint to the explosion of noise behind them.
Sad Eyes has Ekko crooning over a choir of ooos, with occasional hints of a defiant drum-beat and plonking piano drifting sleepily in and out. Ekko pulls a memorable chorus out of the laidback time signature, like Bon Iver's The Wolves (Part 1 & 2) it's a slow number that one can imagine lifting the spirits of a festival crowd singing, nay bellowing, along. Unlike Bon Iver though there's not as much ramshackle, handmade charm here to propel Ekko to similar success.
On It's Only You with its bassy strut and Ekko's falsetto there's a distinct hint of The Cure at their romantic-poppiest, it's a surreal love song with an atmosphere of squeaking guitars and other twinkly pops and hoots. Closing track I Love You (I Always Have) has a classical pop sound, again in the Rufus Wainwright mold, with Ekko throwing in grand drums and a glittery backdrop of sounds to compliment the theatrical gesture of the song. There are Frog Song-sounding backing vocals and Ekko shows off his impressive vocal skill inbetween the direct chorus of 'I love you!'
There's a certain sincerity to the straight-forward statements and simple lyricism of Mikky Ekko's songs that stops them from becoming saccahrine, sicky or mawkish, and this is aided by his instrumentation which often propels the fantastical and magical aspects of his simple subjects to the fore. This EP is different and charming and whilst it doesn't quite get you to stand up and applaud Mikky Ekko it is a great trumpet call heralding the arrival of a considerable talent.
http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=3398&type=Reviews
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Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit (7.5/10)
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Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit (7.5/10)
by David Taintor
It is so nice to be surprised.
With in...Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit (7.5/10)
by David Taintor
It is so nice to be surprised.
With innumerable music blogs, mailing lists, magazines, MySpace Top-8 friend lists, and MTV channels, it’s nearly impossible to be introduced to a new band without any preconceived notion. Maybe you’ve even read this very site and been introduced to a new band you hadn’t heard before. I know I have.
Strange Fruit, is a magnum opus of sound, an amphitheater in an EP. Listening to Mikky Ekko is like sitting alone in a candle-lit room — creepy at times, soulful, and certainly sensual. His beats bump like the Timbaland by way of Bjork, and his falsetto ascends like Thom Yorke — both supremely good things.
Mikky Ekko might sound more at home playing the Pitchfork Music Festival than Van’s Warped Tour. And that’s okay. Embracing these diverse and eclectic styles can only add to the robust independent music scene we hold so dear.
There’s a lot happening on Strange Fruit. “It’s Only You” stomps along to thumping bass lines, blankets of falsetto, and detuned bass drums. There’s certainly nothing minimalist about the album, which is an accurately reflects much of the music being made in America today. And hailing from Nashville, a place as American as any, it makes perfect sense. “I Love You (I Always Have)” swirls sexily around harmonic blips and beeps before soaring into the stratospheric lyrics of “It’s you I want.” It’s as keen as it is simple.
Strange Fruit is as elusive as it is atmospheric. With little biographical information available on Mikky Ekko, the album mostly stands alone, to soar or fail on its own musical merit. I’m guessing it’s going to be just fine.
Artist: Mikky Ekko
Album: Strange Fruit
Release Date: February 15th, 2009
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: Mikky Ekko
Reviewed By: David Taintor
Posted by matt.pagirsky on May 21, 2009
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Mikky Ekko - Strange Fruit (7.5/10)
by David Taintor
It is so nice to be surprised.
With innumerable music blogs, mailing lists, magazines, MySpace Top-8 friend lists, and MTV channels, it’s nearly impossible to be introduced to a new band without any preconceived notion. Maybe you’ve even read this very site and been introduced to a new band you hadn’t heard before. I know I have.
Strange Fruit, is a magnum opus of sound, an amphitheater in an EP. Listening to Mikky Ekko is like sitting alone in a candle-lit room — creepy at times, soulful, and certainly sensual. His beats bump like the Timbaland by way of Bjork, and his falsetto ascends like Thom Yorke — both supremely good things.
Mikky Ekko might sound more at home playing the Pitchfork Music Festival than Van’s Warped Tour. And that’s okay. Embracing these diverse and eclectic styles can only add to the robust independent music scene we hold so dear.
http://thedailychorus.com/rev.php?subaction=showcomments&id=1242925476&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6&
There’s a lot happening on Strange Fruit. “It’s Only You” stomps along to thumping bass lines, blankets of falsetto, and detuned bass drums. There’s certainly nothing minimalist about the album, which is an accurately reflects much of the music being made in America today. And hailing from Nashville, a place as American as any, it makes perfect sense. “I Love You (I Always Have)” swirls sexily around harmonic blips and beeps before soaring into the stratospheric lyrics of “It’s you I want.” It’s as keen as it is simple.
Strange Fruit is as elusive as it is atmospheric. With little biographical information available on Mikky Ekko, the album mostly stands alone, to soar or fail on its own musical merit. I’m guessing it’s going to be just fine.
Artist: Mikky Ekko
Album: Strange Fruit
Release Date: February 15th, 2009
Label: Unsigned
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Introducing...Mikky Ekko!
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This is Mikky Ekko.
Last week, I received a track in my SoundCloud entitled "Sedated," a crawling...This is Mikky Ekko.
Last week, I received a track in my SoundCloud entitled "Sedated," a crawling, mysterious mixture of moans, claps, finger snaps and a barely-there electro tingle reminisicent of something from Bat For Lashes' Two Suns and a hint of Björk's Medulla. Very sexual, yet minimal and organic.
In short, I was intrigued.
Listening to Ekko's MySpace tracks only kept the curiosity rolling, offering unlikely helpings of ambient rhythms and multicultural influences all backed by a pop-noir vocal spook offered by Mr. Ekko himself. Songs like the gorgeous "I Love You I Always Have" (which sounds a bit like a solo take on a classic Beach Boys number) and the cross-breed between country twang and otherworldly echoes of "It's Only You" offer additional post-pop diversity, all lending themselves to perhaps the most interesting and eclectic finds of 2009.
http://www.muumuse.com/2009/06/introducingmikky-ekko.html
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[MP3] Mikky Ekko - Sedated
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Yesterday I got an email from soundcloud that someone actually sent me a song using soundcloud. I go...Yesterday I got an email from soundcloud that someone actually sent me a song using soundcloud. I got all giddy and excited. Then I went to listen to the song. I was surprised by what was there. A comforting but dark and mysterious track by Mikky Ekko called Sedated. It opens with quiet oooo's and then soon falls right into the groove of relaxation that has the power to take you away by your hair and keep you afloat by it's dense sound
http://www.togetherindigitaldreams.com/2009/06/mp3-mikky-ekko-sedated.html
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Introducing Mikky Ekko
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The first time I saw the name “Mikky Ekko,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. Is it a person or a band? ...The first time I saw the name “Mikky Ekko,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. Is it a person or a band? A quick check on MySpace revealed a solo artist from Nashville with a very unique sound.
Mikky Ekko has been around for about 7 months now, having played his first show here last fall. The man behind the artist, however, hails from Mississippi originally. He’d been in Nashville for a while, writing with other musicians here, honing his skills. But he came to realize that there were things he wanted to say that wouldn’t be said if he was always writing with other people. So, he set out to do his own thing as Mikky Ekko.
Ekko released one EP so far, called Strange Fruit. The songs on it were the first songs he’d written by himself, and they were largely written a capella. He’s been writing a lot since then, and has also learned more about different production styles. He’s expecting his next release to be more up-tempo and aggressive than the last.
This attempt at being a solo artist couldn’t have happened anywhere else. Ekko says he’s “fortunate to be in a city that’s so loving and hospitable.” He emphasizes that the Nashville music scene is full of artists who support and nurture each other, and recognize that the life of a musician is a worthy pursuit.
Since Ekko is a new artist, I asked him what would be the symbol that lets him know he’s really “made it.” He thinks that, no matter what level he’s playing at, he’ll always be more concerned with “what comes next,” and areas that he still needs to improve. “Making it could mean… doing this for the rest of my life, even if I’m sleeping under a bridge.”
Being tied so intricately to other Nashville musicians may help Ekko introduce his music to the masses, as he’s preparing to tour this fall with Ten Out of Tenn. He thinks this year’s new lineup is widening the range of what Nashville has to offer. “It’s more eclectic… but not so much so that the compilation CD will sound disjointed. (Ten Out of Tenn) has established their brand, and now they can expand a little,” he adds. Ekko is looking forward to complementing the other artists involved, and thinks there is potential for a lot of creativity and personal growth to come from touring with his fellow Nashville artists. “Right now it feels like a pre-summer camp giddiness.”
Before Mikky Ekko heads out on tour, however, he’ll be playing this Saturday’s Miller Made Music Showcase at the Exit/In. The show is sponsored by Lightning 100, and also features Perrin Lamb, Mean Tambourines, and The Non-Commissioned Officers.
What: Mikky Ekko at the Miller Made Music Showcase
When: Saturday, July 11th, 8pm
Where: Exit/In
Cover: Free!
http://www.examiner.com/x-11833-Nashville-Indie-Music-Examiner~y2009m7d8-Introducing-Mikky-Ekko
