Michael Gabriel
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
London, ON -- It’s not easy being Michael Gabriel. He likens himself a pop singer-songwriter but he’s really much more interesting than that. Proof of how interesting Gabriel is will be seen on the stage of the Aeolian Hall as he kicks off his tour with Strings Attached, an evening he’s dubbed an ‘orchestral premier.’
A classically trained singer who taught himself drums and guitar, Gabriel criss-crossed this country for the past decade mostly with just his guitar in tow and now wants the music he plays to be heard the way he envisioned it.
“I’m playing primarily original stuff with a three-part string section, violin, viola, cello and piano and I play classical guitar and sing,” he explains. “It’s very much singer-songwriter but it has an orchestral feel to it.”
Gabriel knows that adding strings to a musical backdrop is nothing new and says that this concert will see the strings acting as more than a sawing orchestra.
“These strings really have a predominant role, they’re not just sitting in the back offering an ambient sound,” he insists. “They’re very harmonic and there’s a lot of movement going on.”
Gabriel hasn’t arrived at this unique vision without a lot of hard slogging as a musician. Born and raised in New Westminster, B.C. he studied in Vancouver as a classical singer when he picked up the guitar and made a crucial decision.
“I was learning Italian songs and just dabbling in opera and it was at that point when I thought ‘do I really want to get into opera or do I want to give pop music a shot?” he recalls. “That was really the fork in the road.”
He moved to Toronto and after gigging around ended up in an L.A.-based band for three years back when the dream of making it in music was much different than the realities of the music business today.
“When I was in L.A. all we talked about was getting a record deal,” he chuckles. “That seems like a hundred years ago - now no one talks about getting a record deal. Now anyone can record something and get it out there.”
After L.A. Gabriel moved back to Toronto and started work on the music that has led him to the orchestral work he’s currently bringing to fruition. He also did some serious roadwork playing far and wide with his unique finger-picking classical guitar style, his voice and little else. While travelling the country with his first solo disc he combined the tour with his personal passion for awareness about the plight of children in developing countries.
“I would do a presentation of facts about children in developing countries, play a montage and do an original song about developing countries,” he says, adding that other artists involved with the issue through the work of World Vision included Jann Arden and Jesse Book. “I still do it but it’s just that on that 2007 tour it was literally everywhere we went.”
For now, however, Gabriel’s focus is on this elaborate series of orchestra shows, a project that he admits has proven to be more daunting than he had initially conceived.
“Honestly, this project is bigger than I thought it would be but in a good way,” he says. “All I’m doing right now is focus on this Aeolian Hall concert, then I’ve got one at this great venue in Kitchener and then another in Hamilton. That will take me to the end of the summer.”
As for the Aeolian show, he can barely hold his excitement at the artistic challenge.
“I’m still blown away by how much depth can come from a three-part string section and a piano and a guitar,” he says excitedly. “It allows me to take the listener somewhere with that kind of arrangement.”
When prompted about where that might lead, Gabriel chuckles and adds, “Maybe down the road we’ll have a 24-piece orchestra. I don’t know…”
- SCENE MAGAZINE - STORY BY: BOB KLANAC
London, ON -- It’s not easy being Michael Gabriel. He likens himself a pop singer-songwriter but he’s really much more interesting than that. Proof of how interesting Gabriel is will be seen on the stage of the Aeolian Hall as he kicks off his tour with Strings Attached, an evening he’s dubbed an ‘orchestral premier.’
A classically trained singer who taught himself drums and guitar, Gabriel criss-crossed this country for the past decade mostly with just his guitar in tow and now wants the music he plays to be heard the way he envisioned it.
“I’m playing primarily original stuff with a three-part string section, violin, viola, cello and piano and I play classical guitar and sing,” he explains. “It’s very much singer-songwriter but it has an orchestral feel to it.”
Gabriel knows that adding strings to a musical backdrop is nothing new and says that this concert will see the strings acting as more than a sawing orchestra.
“These strings really have a predominant role, they’re not just sitting in the back offering an ambient sound,” he insists. “They’re very harmonic and there’s a lot of movement going on.”
Gabriel hasn’t arrived at this unique vision without a lot of hard slogging as a musician. Born and raised in New Westminster, B.C. he studied in Vancouver as a classical singer when he picked up the guitar and made a crucial decision.
“I was learning Italian songs and just dabbling in opera and it was at that point when I thought ‘do I really want to get into opera or do I want to give pop music a shot?” he recalls. “That was really the fork in the road.”
He moved to Toronto and after gigging around ended up in an L.A.-based band for three years back when the dream of making it in music was much different than the realities of the music business today.
“When I was in L.A. all we talked about was getting a record deal,” he chuckles. “That seems like a hundred years ago - now no one talks about getting a record deal. Now anyone can record something and get it out there.”
After L.A. Gabriel moved back to Toronto and started work on the music that has led him to the orchestral work he’s currently bringing to fruition. He also did some serious roadwork playing far and wide with his unique finger-picking classical guitar style, his voice and little else. While travelling the country with his first solo disc he combined the tour with his personal passion for awareness about the plight of children in developing countries.
“I would do a presentation of facts about children in developing countries, play a montage and do an original song about developing countries,” he says, adding that other artists involved with the issue through the work of World Vision included Jann Arden and Jesse Book. “I still do it but it’s just that on that 2007 tour it was literally everywhere we went.”
For now, however, Gabriel’s focus is on this elaborate series of orchestra shows, a project that he admits has proven to be more daunting than he had initially conceived.
“Honestly, this project is bigger than I thought it would be but in a good way,” he says. “All I’m doing right now is focus on this Aeolian Hall concert, then I’ve got one at this great venue in Kitchener and then another in Hamilton. That will take me to the end of the summer.”
As for the Aeolian show, he can barely hold his excitement at the artistic challenge.
“I’m still blown away by how much depth can come from a three-part string section and a piano and a guitar,” he says excitedly. “It allows me to take the listener somewhere with that kind of arrangement.”
When prompted about where that might lead, Gabriel chuckles and adds, “Maybe down the road we’ll have a 24-piece orchestra. I don’t know…”
- SCENE MAGAZINE - STORY BY: BOB KLANAC
For a man who I learned would actually sing arias alongside his vocal coach, Michael Gabriel is simply an incredibly talented songwriter and one helluva vocalist.
Gabriel has a way that relays the music directly to lighten your day – it’s real, genuine and relatable. He’s got a way of forcing the listener to believe that he really gets whatever it is that you’re going through.
- ECHO MAGAZINE - STORY BY: CARRIE HUMPHRIES
For a man who I learned would actually sing arias alongside his vocal coach, Michael Gabriel is simply an incredibly talented songwriter and one helluva vocalist.
Gabriel has a way that relays the music directly to lighten your day – it’s real, genuine and relatable. He’s got a way of forcing the listener to believe that he really gets whatever it is that you’re going through.
- ECHO MAGAZINE - STORY BY: CARRIE HUMPHRIES
Gabriel has a way that relays the music directly to lighten your day – it’s real, genuine and relatable. He’s got a way of forcing the listener to believe that he really gets whatever it is that you’re going through.
- ECHO MAGAZINE - STORY BY: CARRIE HUMPHRIES
Gabriel has a way that relays the music directly to lighten your day – it’s real, genuine and relatable. He’s got a way of forcing the listener to believe that he really gets whatever it is that you’re going through.
- ECHO MAGAZINE - STORY BY: CARRIE HUMPHRIES
The Vineyard Film Festival, Cyprus (non-profit) will run between March 25th & 28th, 2010 and is under the auspices of the First Lady of Cyprus Mrs. Elsie Christofia.
It is a star-studded, musical and cinematic experience, hosted on an island rich in cultural history and beautiful locations.
Come mingle with celebrities which include to date: American McGee (Video Games Icon: Alice, Doom Quake), Jason Connery (son of Sean and an actor director in his own right), Juliet Landau (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Mark Ryan (Charlie’s
Angels, Transformers), Michael Gabriel,…
There will also be a networking evening, a music jam with local and international musicians including Michael Gabriel,…
Our Charities for 2010 are the Red Cross Home for Sick Children, Cans for Kids and Make-a-Wish Foundation.
- VINEYARD FILM FESTIVAL - ANNA GEORGHALLIDES
The Vineyard Film Festival, Cyprus (non-profit) will run between March 25th & 28th, 2010 and is under the auspices of the First Lady of Cyprus Mrs. Elsie Christofia.
It is a star-studded, musical and cinematic experience, hosted on an island rich in cultural history and beautiful locations.
Come mingle with celebrities which include to date: American McGee (Video Games Icon: Alice, Doom Quake), Jason Connery (son of Sean and an actor director in his own right), Juliet Landau (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Mark Ryan (Charlie’s
Angels, Transformers), Michael Gabriel,…
There will also be a networking evening, a music jam with local and international musicians including Michael Gabriel,…
Our Charities for 2010 are the Red Cross Home for Sick Children, Cans for Kids and Make-a-Wish Foundation.
- VINEYARD FILM FESTIVAL - ANNA GEORGHALLIDES
La Casa, one of London's most romantic restaurants, will be serving up the music of singer-songwriter Michael Gabriel on Valentine's weekend.
Gabriel has been a regular at the King St. restaurant for about six months, playing guitar accompanied by cellist Trina Nadeau.
Gabriel trained as a classical singer in Vancouver and has been the lead singer in bands in both Canada and the U.S. and has toured extensively in Canada. Gabriel has released three EPs and two full-length albums of original material.
- THE LONDON FREE PRESS - HANK DANISZEWSKI
La Casa, one of London's most romantic restaurants, will be serving up the music of singer-songwriter Michael Gabriel on Valentine's weekend.
Gabriel has been a regular at the King St. restaurant for about six months, playing guitar accompanied by cellist Trina Nadeau.
Gabriel trained as a classical singer in Vancouver and has been the lead singer in bands in both Canada and the U.S. and has toured extensively in Canada. Gabriel has released three EPs and two full-length albums of original material.
- THE LONDON FREE PRESS - HANK DANISZEWSKI
With the opening ceremonies over, the Opening Act as
was introduced. Michael Gabriel took the stage accom-
panied by Cellist Trina Nadeau.
Michael is currently traveling southern Ontario in “a van
/camper named Gary”! Michael’s performance on the
Welland stage was wonderful. He sang many of his own
original compositions.
The accompaniment of cellist Trina greatly enhanced the
performance. As Michael entertained us, day slowly turned
to night.
- ONTARIO FESTIVALS VISITED: STORY BY: GARY MCCWILIAMS
With the opening ceremonies over, the Opening Act as
was introduced. Michael Gabriel took the stage accom-
panied by Cellist Trina Nadeau.
Michael is currently traveling southern Ontario in “a van
/camper named Gary”! Michael’s performance on the
Welland stage was wonderful. He sang many of his own
original compositions.
The accompaniment of cellist Trina greatly enhanced the
performance. As Michael entertained us, day slowly turned
to night.
- ONTARIO FESTIVALS VISITED: STORY BY: GARY MCCWILIAMS
Michael Gabriel recently settled in London, the latest stage in a career that has seen him move from B.C. to Toronto to L.A. and back to Canada geographically and from rock bands to singer-songwriter sounds musically.
At many gigs for the last year, Gabriel has been joined by cellist Trina Nadeau. Gabriel and Nadeau are at La Casa Ristorante, for their once-monthly gig, tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tomorrow, at 8 p.m., they are at the London Music Club.
For the lfpress.com video, they play a new Gabriel song, Penelope Rose. It is set to become part of his next album. He expects to begin recording soon.
These days, he's selling the EP Southern California Sessions and the album In This Together at his shows.
This year, Gabriel has been winning airplay at more than a dozen stations for the single, Angel Wings, off Southern California Sessions.
- THE LONDON FREE PRESS - STORY BY: JAMES REANEY
Michael Gabriel recently settled in London, the latest stage in a career that has seen him move from B.C. to Toronto to L.A. and back to Canada geographically and from rock bands to singer-songwriter sounds musically.
At many gigs for the last year, Gabriel has been joined by cellist Trina Nadeau. Gabriel and Nadeau are at La Casa Ristorante, for their once-monthly gig, tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tomorrow, at 8 p.m., they are at the London Music Club.
For the lfpress.com video, they play a new Gabriel song, Penelope Rose. It is set to become part of his next album. He expects to begin recording soon.
These days, he's selling the EP Southern California Sessions and the album In This Together at his shows.
This year, Gabriel has been winning airplay at more than a dozen stations for the single, Angel Wings, off Southern California Sessions.
- THE LONDON FREE PRESS - STORY BY: JAMES REANEY
Discography
1) Strings Attached - Live
An Orchestral Concert Series
Released: 2012
10 Live Concert Songs - Orchestral
3 Bonus Studio Tracks - Full Band
2) Up Until Here
The Box Set
Released: 2012
Solo / Full Band / Strings Arrangments
57 Songs from 6 Releases
3) The Discovery
Released: 2010
15 Tracks
14 Solo: Vocals & Guitar
1 Full Band Song
4) Southern California Sessions
Released: 2009
4 Tracks
Full Band w/ string arrangements
Single w/ Video: Angel Wings
5) In This Together
Released: 2008
12-Song - LP (Solo)
6) The Certainty of Change
Released: 2005
14 Tracks
Full Band
Vocal/Guitar & Piano Duets
7) Places Along the Way
Released: 2004
6 Tracks
Solo: Vocals & Guitar
8) Open to the Moment
Released: 2003
6 Tracks
Solo: Vocals & Guitar
Photos
Bio
“Simply honest and inspiring music”
- Alison Lohman – Actress (Big Fish, White Oleander)
Michael Gabriel is singer-songwriter who has sold thousands of CD’s and toured extensively. He has recorded and performed in both Canada and the US. he performs solo and with an orchestral ensemble. For the ‘Strings Attached’ concert series, he performs his compositions with orchestral flavors at a custom-made event that has been in the making for his entire career.
‘Strings Attached’ has been extremely well received by both the public and the press since its inception. With an elaborate light show to correspond with the symphonic movements in Michael’s original story-telling and emotionally fluid material, intricate vocal arrangements, and a gifted orchestral ensemble, the ‘Strings Attached’ live experience has become: “...a breathtaking coming together of sound."
- Marielle Julian, Velvet Rope Magazine
Full Biography
Michael Gabriel trained and performed as a classical singer in Vancouver, B.C. He has been the lead singer in original bands in both Canada and the United States. After releasing two solo EP's ‘Open to the Moment’ & ‘Places Along the Way’, he toured with his classical guitar across Canada.
For the 2007 Canadian National Tour, he traveled for eight months from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and many places in-between. During the tour, he performed solo (guitar & vocals) songs from the debut full-length album: ‘The Certainty of Change’ and showcased new material. Michael dedicated part of his 2007 tour to spreading awareness about children in developing countries and he continues with this message today. Toward the end of the Canadian National Tour (while on the road), he recorded a new album: ‘In This Together’. The 12-song album was recorded with classical guitar and vocals.
With the start of 2008, he performed live to promote the new CD and the debut album. In March, an opportunity came up to work with Lakeshore Records on an EP. Michael recorded a total of 4 songs at Tiger Mountain Studios in Los Angeles. The EP was named: ‘Southern California Sessions’ and was released online and on CD. A music video was made for the single - ‘Angel Wings’. Following the release, Michael had several interviews/live performances for radio stations and the track received notable air-play in Ontario. Several live solo performance videos were also recorded and posted.
For 2009, Michael focused on both radio air-play for ‘Angel Wings’, live performances in Canada, and international bookings. He performed solo and began working with a cellist, pianist, and a drummer.
In 2010, Michael continued to perform solo and introduced piano and cello to the live shows. He also recorded and released another full band single called ‘Penelope Rose’ that would eventually be part of ‘The Discovery’. This CD was released in late 2010 and marked his third LP. It consists of 14 solo tracks and one full band song.
The end of 2010 was punctuated by a cross Canada adventure. It involved Michael performing solo on the trans-continental VIA Rail train from Toronto to Vancouver and back.
For 2011, Michael prepared to launch the ‘Strings Attached’ concert series: "...Gabriel criss-crossed this country for the past decade mostly with just his guitar in tow and now wants the music he plays to be heard the way he envisioned it." -COVER STORY Bob Klanac - Scene Magazine. With tremendous support from the public and the media - the premier was a success! Michael performed with a pianist, cellist, violist and violinist, to a full room at The Aeolian Hall in London, ON. and received a standing ovation. For the rest of 2011, ‘Strings Attached’ evolved to adapt an elaborate light show to correspond with the symphonic movements in Michael’s original story-telling and emotionally fluid material, intricate choir arrangements, and a gifted orchestral ensemble, to create: “...a breathtaking coming together of
sound." - Marielle Julian, Velvet Rope Magazine
In the first quarter of 2012 ‘Strings Attached’ performed their fourth concert in Kitchener, Ontario. To take the series one step further – choral parts were arranged for the ‘Shade of Blue’ youth choir to premiere this latest edition of the series. On that special night in February, not only did the show succeed but all the performers truly gelled during this live concert recording to inspire and set into motion the next full length recording.
In May 2012, the noticeably expanded ensemble not only returns to The Aeolian with the London based Mysterium youth choir, but this concert will double as the official CD release party for ‘Strings Attached’ LIVE.
Michael, the ensemble, and his management team are currently seeking concert hall venues that will effectively showcase and accommodate this orchestral event in Canada, the US and the UK.
www.michaelgabrielmusic.com
Links
