Micah Dalton

Artist Information

Biography

• Featured artist with American Airlines "Storyteller" Feature Summer 2010
• Named "Next Big Thing" in Southern Living Magazine June 2010
• Official showcase at SXSW 2008
• Has shared the stage with acts such as Dave Barnes, Jon McLaughlin, Gym Class Heroes, Richard Julian
• Next Big Nashville 2009
• Ath Fest Paste Magazine Stage 2008


NACA Showcases:
Mid Atlantic
Mid Atlantic Festival

He may sound like an earthier, cleverer Ben Harper, but musically Dalton suggests mid-'80s Prince in the way he defiantly straddles so many styles, requiring an enormous musical arsenal to get his point across. These juxtapositions of sounds and style rarely feel forced or even deliberate, courtesy of Dalton's soulful vocals and incisive songwriting."- PASTE MAGAZINE

“When you combine an earthy, easygoing songwriting style, the influence of Donny Hathaway and Paul Simon and a penchant for warm, understated instrumentation, there’s a good chance you’ll get ear-pleasing results. Micah Dalton has, and he calls it ‘alt. soul.’”-THE NASHVILLE SCENE

“Micah Dalton is a bright light of hope in a dark tunnel that lets me know that the real soul of music is in the roots of the songwriter.-BURNSIDE WRITER'S COLLECTIVE

"Though I have never met him personally, it is quite easy to tell that Micah Dalton is a risk-taker. Apart from the fact that his musical style is an appealingly intrepid mixture of folk, blues, soul, and R&B, Dalton has provided an extremely unique experience for the release of his third album, Pawn Shop."-OBSCURE SOUND





There was a time when an album didn’t offer pleasures for the ears alone. Having a vinyl LP on the turntable and a cover sleeve’s vivid, larger-then-life artwork in hand made for a rich multi-sensory experience. But that long since became the stuff of tall tales. That is, until Micah Dalton decided to liquefy the boundaries between artistic media with Pawnshop.

On the third recording project of his career, the Atlanta, Ga.-based singer-songwriter summons the audio-visual album experience from the shadows of memory, and goes a step further still. Pawnshop is twelve spacious Southern pop statements; it’s a short story told in twelve vignettes; it’s twelve visceral, pen-and-ink images; it’s an artistic risk that pays off mightily, and nothing short of a radical re-imagining.

“The idea of creating characters and running them through storylines is a lot more interesting than just an album,” says Dalton. “It is like going into a science lab and seeing what comes out. Using different creative media and seeing how they interact with one another and speak to people is always fun.”

Dalton co-wrote four of the album’s richly nuanced songs with Brooklyn-based pop songsmith Nate Campany and several others with longtime collaborator bassist/producer James Gregory. Dalton and Gregory put flesh on the song bones between January and August 2007, working out of Nashville’s Smoakstack Studios, Art Canvas (India.Arie, Mighty Clouds of Joy) and other locales, and enlisting the sensitive touch of multi-instrumentalist Paul Moak, guitarist Kenny Meeks (Sixpence None the Richer), keyboardist Ben Shive and others.

The tracks cover satisfying musical range, from the acoustic, soul-tinged warmth of “Take the Backroads,” “We Came Alive Tonight” and “The Grandest Prize,” to “Down, Down Put It Down”—a snaking R&B number laced with sharp string runs—and gospel-infused, loose-jointed, backwoods romps like “I Am a Man (The Autobiography of Milton Burrows)” and “Reverend Ramshack Run.”

The songs, stories and images dwell in the fertile space between autobiography and imagination. You could say they’re true and more-than-true at the same time. There are elements of Dalton in Pawnshop—a restless soul sojourning through rural Georgia in 1965 and the album’s central character—but they’re not one and the same. Dalton ensured that the project would have plenty of captivating twists and turns by bringing other creative souls into the conversation, Jewly Hight to write a “fictional” story of desire taking hold and Jason Harwell to render the striking visuals. There’s enough there for the listener-reader-observer to get lost in over and over.

Dalton began erecting signposts to chart the course of his musical progression back in 2004 with his pop-inflected full-length debut, These Are the Roots. Next came 2006’s seven-song Advancement EP, which displayed moments of kinship with Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye, but was anything but an exercise in imitation. In countless clubs, theatres, coffeehouses and colleges east of the Mississippi, Dalton has shared the stage with the likes of Jon McLaughlin, Mindy Smith, Dave Barnes and other lesser-known but no less talented folks. In 2007 he also signed on with unique Athens-based nonprofit indie Rebuilt Records.

The momentum is continually building. And Pawnshop adds a whole new batch of sights, sounds and stories to Dalton’s body of work.

Instrumentation

Micah Dalton-Acoutic

Discography

Gathered 'Round the Greasefire (2010)
Pawn Shop (2008)
Advancement (2006)
These Are the Roots LP (2004)

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Micah Dalton perfroms 11 Alive

Audio

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Indie Musician of the Week: Micah Dalton [+ Show ]
  

  Micah Dalton has the ability to evoke Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye and Bob Dylan- all in the same song. T...Micah Dalton has the ability to evoke Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye and Bob Dylan- all in the same song. The Atlanta based alternative soul musician harkens an era when music was a reaction rather than a product. His forthcoming third album Pawnshop is a work of rhythmic narrative that shakes off the casings of genre to travel through acoustic soul, slinky R & B and stomp your feet gospel infusions before charting its own course. Pawnshop will be on sale February 26, 2008 and can be previewed or preordered here.
  
  5 Questions with Micah Dalton
  
  1. Describe your sound in 10 words or less.
  
  Southern pop statements with the blatant thievery of classic (60s/70s) soul/folk.
  
  2. What is your own personal history with music?
  
  I always looked to music for explanations. Most of those explanations were found in the church. In the Western church, there’s a difference in content and style depending on what specific denomination you land in. For me, I was split between two ends of the evangelical spectrum: Presbyterian and Pentecostal. I heard wild, fiery songs with emotional manipulation involved and I sat at the foot of epic melodies when my ears were introduced to the seemingly serene nature of hymns. This was every week.
  
  I worked for a faith-based community development program that required me to lead volunteer groups in gospel songs. It was there that I began to fool around with a new musical vocabulary. That was when I came closest to honing in on a “sound”. I remember making imaginary bands in middle school but all I knew was the trumpet. I’ve always desired expression in interpersonal relationships and especially in musical contexts.
  
  3. What is the album making process like for you?
  
  Well, for me, I would liken it to marriage. Even though I’m not married, I’ve heard about it. You fall in love with the songs. Play them live (honeymoon phase), Pre-production: then you have to work with someone to translate a cohesive and strong representation of your voice.
  
  That’s fun only when something arrangement oriented is expounded on. You then start second guessing like crazy. The whole vision is trash on some days. You wish there was some more objectivity, but it’s only you and the co-producer. Can you trust him? Can you trust yourself? Then record it. Then you love it more than ever. Then you just commit.
  
  I’ve worked with my friend James Gregory on the last couple of projects. He is someone whose sensibilities I trust almost more than mine. It’s also like having a child, but I’ve bored you enough with my back door metaphors.
  
  4. What are the largest struggles for an independent musician trying to make it?
  
  For me, it’s finding a sense of place and direction. That’s powerful to have, especially on the road. It’s something that money can’t buy.
  
  5. How can fans of your music best support your career?
  
  I think there are tons of dangers in modernity, but one in particular is the seemingly slow decline of live music. Coming to shows is huge. In general, support live music. Go to local venues. It is a great way of supporting local businesses in a two fold way.

• Soulful Dalton Hits UK [+ Show ]
  

  Soulful Micah Dalton hits UK By Liza Goldenberg With a sound that could be mistaken for a youn...Soulful Micah Dalton hits UK
  
  By Liza Goldenberg
  
  With a sound that could be mistaken for a young Ben Harper, Micah Dalton is making waves with his blend of what he calls “soul driven folk music,” and he will be riding these waves into Lexington on April 21 for a performance at UK.
  
  How ironic.
  
  Why is his appearance at UK ironic, you ask? Well, Dalton’s foray into the music industry started with a semester off from school. As fate would have it, the musician who during his tenure in college only performed on weekends, was unable to return to school. With all the spare time, Dalton began to write music and really hone his talent. By the time the next semester rolled around, Dalton had abandoned his academic pursuits for a more musical future. In the year since then, Dalton has been touring throughout the country, with his entrancing blend of pop rock, folk and soul.
  
  His soulful music really does have its roots in Dalton’s soul; a great deal of his music comes from pain and hardships in his life. “[My songs] are milestones of who I am,” Dalton explains. “The stronger the experience, the better the fruit [of the song].” He writes these songs by first imagining the music in his head and then piecing together otherwise random lyrics he has written.
  
  With his instinct guiding him, Dalton is able to explore the human psyche in a number of different ways. He listens to a wide variety of music, and he lets the musicianship behind artists such as Herbie Hancock aide him in the songwriting process.
  
  His show on Thursday is a definite best bet for live music this week. The second you hear his voice, you will understand why people can’t seem to get enough of this boy from Georgia.
  
  What will come next for Micah Dalton, who knows, but it’s safe to assume that he has a bright future ahead of him, filled with the uncertainty and excitement that has led him to this point.
  
   
  
  This article was originally posted on April 21, 2005

• Micah Dalton Interview [+ Show ]
  

  Micah Dalton Interview Author: Kevan Breitinger Published: August 10, 2006 After listening to...Micah Dalton Interview
  Author: Kevan Breitinger
  Published: August 10, 2006
  
  After listening to Micah Dalton's "Advancement," I knew I wanted to talk to him, find out more about
  what drives and moves this creative, expressive artist.
  His alt soul sound is fresh and appealing, almost healing on a deeper level (See Suite review here). Our
  conversation only sealed the deal: Micah Dalton's candid answers reveal a deep sincerity and an honest faith. I can't wait to see how the Lord advances and uses this artist's musical ministry.
  You mention on your website that you played music as part of your role in the community development program in Chattanooga. Why was it songs from the church you were playing? How effective was music in impacting that program and its participants? (I'm somewhat fascinated by this concept!)
  I think my experience at Hope was really important because it activated something that was already there, so to speak. I grew up in the area I now live in here in Atlanta. The area is called Grant Park and before it was on its way towards gentrification, it was a rougher area on the city, so I remember the people in this area and the musical surroundings pretty vividly. The musical surroundings were gospel based because of my dad's pastoring position at the local church. So working at Hope and having to learn the songs that the congregation was singing challenged me to articulate a lot of the musical tendencies I already had but was never challenged to put out.
  Before this experience, I never knew how to express the urban side of what I deeply desired to communicate. So it's very educational how it worked. I "went to school" and integrated myself into a different group of people and societal differences. It became challenging and informational and turned out to be a cornerstone for my career. It was also refreshing spiritually which always directly affects what is created.
  It seems that music played a huge role in drawing you to the Lord. Is this a part of what drives you creatively
  today?
  The creative process, to me, is really ambiguous. So, it's hard to say exactly what drives me to write and become
  creative. Music did, in fact, play a gigantic role in drawing me to the person of Christ. I always thought that songs said a great deal more than sermons, booklets, and what not. For the first time, I saw that people were taking liberty to say what they really were thinking and feeling about spirituality and it made me think "No way, I think the same thing, I'm not alone"! I think that's what made me want write: my response to that liberty I saw in other artists.
  I know that this still drives me to write...and revelation...I believe God is, obviously, more creative than anyone. So my dialogue and relation to Him directly affects what I do vocationally and creatively. A constant effort to write honestly is a challenge I've receivedsome serious poison.
  
  Micah Dalton shows remarkable faith and guts in the second part of our conversation. It's a combo
  that I love.
  
  What is the most encouraging thing you've experienced as an indie artist?
  Well, I've never been signed, so I might like that better! I think financially, it can be difficult for the type of music that I make. I would say the most encouraging thing is the people. People who let you stay at
  their house and barely know you. People who really know and own your recordings. People who you can
  enjoy when you're just being . . . . no questions asked . . . that's very encouraging.
  What's been the hardest?
  I think the hardest is living such an inconsistent, unorthodox lifestyle. That in itself leads to a group of other variables that are difficult to deal with. You know, I'll go months without seeing people I'm very close to. And it's crazy to think that I might have to have a family with a similar schedule.
  It's also hard when you don't feel like your music is specifically relating to anybody. When you start to judge success by numbers and priorities are misconstrued. That leads to comparison, and you forget why you started writing in the first place. This could be a really long, excruciating list . . . the hard parts..ha.
  How do you keep your focus on the Lord through the ups and downs of this industry?
  Well, that's another hard part. The Lord has a way of drawing me in through a number of ways. You catch glimpses of Him through good friends and people you know and that know you, through an awareness of my own great need. I never feel too forced to try to align myself with God, it's always a pretty apparent need since I can be such a mess. Keep your eye on this alt soul artist, I think we will be hearing a lot more of him.

• Review of "Advancement" [+ Show ]
  

  When you combine an earthy, easygoing songwriting style, the influence of Donny Hathaway and Paul Si...When you combine an earthy, easygoing songwriting style, the influence of Donny Hathaway and Paul Simon and a penchant for warm, understated instrumentation, there’s a good chance you’ll get ear-pleasing results. Micah Dalton has done just that, and he calls it “alt. soul.” Earlier this year, the Atlanta singer-songwriter released an EP titled Advancement, the follow-up to 2004’s long player These Are the Roots. Advancement opens with the ultra-cool, ultra-smooth soul of “Just Stay (To Be With Her),” followed by the gospel-sweetened acoustic slow burn of “Jet Lag” and the psychedelic R&B of “Sharks Only Bite in the Water.” The second half of the record gently exhales with a handful of spare acoustic ballads. Dalton—a staple of colleges and coffeehouses throughout the eastern U.S.—often takes the stage armed only with his acoustic guitar and husky croon, but his sometime live band—featuring bassist James Gregory and vocalist Jason Eskridge—only enhances the alt. soul experience. The Basement —JEWLY HIGHT

• Micah Dalton-Pawnshop [+ Show ]
  

  After writing formulaic reviews for many publications, it gets tiring to achieve the same sort of go...After writing formulaic reviews for many publications, it gets tiring to achieve the same sort of goal in constructing a music review. Every once in a while, a writer needs to be set free. Micah Dalton’s ‘Pawn Shop’ is the perfect forum within which that can happen.
  
  So a while ago, I got a message on facebook from this guy named Micah. He got a hold of me through the Burnside facebook group. He told me he was releasing an album on a smaller record label and asked me if I’d be interested in reviewing it. Having a penchant for new and upcoming artists, I said ‘heck yes’. A few weeks later, a package arrived in my mailbox…and a wild and fantastic journey ensued within my ears and mind.
  
  There was a time when albums were more than just 10 tracks of 3 minute radio hits that featured 3 verses, a bridge of some sloppy nature and a chorus. Micah Dalton, however, is a songwriter and a storyteller with something substantial to say. Following an actual character named ‘Pawn Shop’ through the dusty streets of Georgia in 1965, the lyrics and tracks of the album chart a story of self-discovery and transfiguration. Songs like “I’ll Find You In Ohio” take the listener on (what has been self-described by Micah as) a ‘multi-sensory experience’. Crossing any and all borders of musical categorization, Micah’s style is somewhat similar to an early Prince in the sense that he weaves many different fabrics throughout each song. With an instrumental arsenal that is multi-pronged and many leagues deep, each song is a new page in the same, riveting book as you truly never know what you’ll get.
  
  One really shouldn’t write reviews in the first person…but for the moment, I could care less. That’s right. Me. I said that. For the most part, I have a lot of issues with the music industry and that may never change.
  
  Micah Dalton is a bright light of hope in a dark tunnel that lets me know that the real soul of music is in the roots of the songwriter.
  End

• Phantom Tollbooth Review [+ Show ]
  

  The stellar musical and packaging quality, as well as the significance of liner notes (this one cont...The stellar musical and packaging quality, as well as the significance of liner notes (this one contains a short story about a fictional character named Pawnshop), continues in Micah Dalton's full-length Rebuilt release, Pawn Shop. Dalton's agreeable, raspy voice compliments his laid-back acoustic vibe, ala a more bluesy Jack Johnson or a more acoustic John Legend. Standout tracks include the good-feelin' stroll, "We Could Take the Backroads," the porch-stompin' slider, "The Autobiography of Milton Burroughs," and the soulful thumper, "Down Down Put It Down." A gifted songwriter, Dalton's ear for poetry and melody is sure to catch the attention of more than a few critics.
  
  Like the legendary I.R.S. or more modern Northern Records, and Tooth and Nail, Rebuilt Records is building a solid reputation for outstanding artists and albums. Quality releases like those mentioned above add to Rebuilt's growing profile.

• Micah Dalton - Pawn Shop [+ Show ]
  

  Reviewed by Ben Martin Atlanta.-based Micah is a rare breed, someone gifted with a soulful voice,...Reviewed by Ben Martin
  
  Atlanta.-based Micah is a rare breed, someone gifted with a soulful voice, strong musical gifting and lyrical ability but who is also able to put down his ideas in writing. In the case of 'Pawn Shop' this manifests itself in the form of a short story with each chapter referring to a song from the album; this is a daring move which has paid off immensely. Kicking off with the immediately catchy "We Could Take The Backroads", the soul and groove is not lost, and when the tempo is increased for "Rev Ramshack Run" the hooks just keep coming. Mellow or poppy, Micah never loses his soul, his flawless blending of genres creates arrangements which can only be described as beautiful to hear. Many of us only occasionally refer to liner notes for lyrics but in the case of 'Pawn Shop', Micah has substituted words for the short story and ink drawings which introduce us to the character "Pawn Shop" who is on a journey of self-discovery. All this allows the listener to explore the characters created by Micah which does not normally happen, even with some concept albums. 'Pawn Shop' will have you transfixed from beginning to end and beyond. With beautiful instrumentation, Micah has created an engrossing and hugely original sound. Highly recommended - 'Pawn Shop' will surprise, move and inspire.

• Paste Mag covers Pawnshop [+ Show ]
  

  "He may sound like an earthier, cleverer Ben Harper, but musically Dalton suggests mid-'80s Prince i..."He may sound like an earthier, cleverer Ben Harper, but musically Dalton suggests mid-'80s Prince in the way he defiantly straddles so many styles, requiring an enormous musical arsenal to get his point across. These juxtapositions of sounds and style rarely feel forced or even deliberate, courtesy of Dalton's soulful vocals and incisive songwriting."- PASTE MAGAZINE

• Obscure sound covers Pawnshop [+ Show ]
  

  "Though I have never met him personally, it is quite easy to tell that Micah Dalton is a risk-taker...."Though I have never met him personally, it is quite easy to tell that Micah Dalton is a risk-taker. Apart from the fact that his musical style is an appealingly intrepid mixture of folk, blues, soul, and R&B, Dalton has provided an extremely unique experience for the release of his third album, Pawn Shop."-OBSCURE SOUND
  
  
  For complete review: http://obscuresound.com/?p=1822

• Nashville Scene/ Micah Dalton [+ Show ]
  

  “When you combine an earthy, easygoing songwriting style, the influence of Donny Hathaway and Paul S...“When you combine an earthy, easygoing songwriting style, the influence of Donny Hathaway and Paul Simon and a penchant for warm, understated instrumentation, there’s a good chance you’ll get ear-pleasing results. Micah Dalton has, and he calls it ‘alt. soul.’”-THE NASHVILLE SCENE

• Bearings Guide Atlanta Features Micah Dalton [+ Show ]
  

  Living at the intersection of R&B, soul, Southern folk, country and blues is the music of Micah Dalt...Living at the intersection of R&B, soul, Southern folk, country and blues is the music of Micah Dalton. The Atlanta artist is releasing his latest project, “Gathered ‘Round the Greasefire,” Sunday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic.
  
  We recently sat down with Micah to hear and talk about his new EP:
  
  How is this recording different than previous projects?
  In the past when I recorded I tried to take a production-based approach. This time I wanted it to be simpler and more song oriented so they stand on their own. Also, this project is very raw and the themes are more personal. While I was writing these songs my life experiences were dynamic and grimy. The music is influenced by difficulty and so I put more colored transparency in this project.
  
  What does the title “Gathered ‘Round the Greasefire” mean?
  I had this mental image of us symbolically standing around a campfire combined with the problem of a kitchen grease fire. The idea is that as we live in community with each other we stand there watching our houses catch on fire. We want everything to be fine but we aren’t putting out the fire. We’re standing next to each other ignoring the problem.
  
  How are you evolving as an artist?
  I’m more self aware of my art and music. You start out very ambitious and bring everything you can into your music. Now I’m learning to fine tune my music and carve out instead of adding on. Also, while soul music is still at my core I’m developing so it’s not derivative but it’s my own style and essence. My music is less a literal replication of influences like Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and Linda Martell and more of who I am.
  
  Why have you chosen to stay in Atlanta?
  I grew up here and it’s where I’m comfortable. The structure of a big city sometimes makes it hard for people to connect but we are still the cultural epicenter of the South and Atlanta is a very satisfying creative outlet. With my multi-cultural background, it’s a good place to live with the tension between country and R&B and to be authentic to both folk and the black experience. In the spirit of the South we love the familiar but in a new way of integrating a lot of music elements that speak to people.

Setlist

A set list could be composed of an array of different original compositions, recorded or unrecorded.

Basic Requirements

Calendar