Michael Lake
Gig Seeker Pro

Michael Lake

| SELF

| SELF
Band Rock Folk

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Radio blurb"

Every once in a while, something special lands on my desk. Out of Order is out of the ordinary; enticing, well-crafted, original, sung with heart.

Brenda Silk,
Music Director, Radio Newfoundland - Radio Newfoundland


"Web publicity"

"overtones of Canadian folk rock heros Neil Young, Blue Rodeo and Murray McLachlan"
CBC Weekend Arts Magazine, Sept. 2, 2007
- CBC Weekend Arts Magazine


"Newspaper review"

What a surprise. What an unusual, original and fresh sound. Somehow, on Michael Lake's "Out of Order," Thomas Trio, a little rock 'n' roll, a spoon-fully Neil Young and a touch of radio-ready pop blend together into a wonderfully listenable mix.

Lake's website says, "Except for the drums and a some of Jess's vocals, 'Out Of Order' was recorded with two mikes and an old computer in my apartment."

Again, another surprise -- production is actually pretty darn good for such a setup.

Lake wrote all the tracks himself and he belts them out with sincerity and a whole lot of heart.

The disk also features performances by Toronto musicians David Celia, Stephen Stanley (Lowest of the Low) and John Showman (Creaking Tree String Quartet).

Don't let the Grand Ole Opry jewel case photo and design fool you. This is a disk even country haters will enjoy.

Karla Hayward,
Telegram Arts - St. John's Telegram - July 27, 2007


"Web publicity"

"overtones of Canadian folk rock heros Neil Young, Blue Rodeo and Murray McLachlan"
CBC Weekend Arts Magazine, Sept. 2, 2007
- CBC Weekend Arts Magazine


"Radio Interview"

What do carousels, airports and swordfish have in common? They all figure into the songwriting of Newfoundland native Michael Lake. Now residing in Toronto, Lake's first CD, called Out Of Order, is a collection of songs penned over the last four years. With overtones of Canadian folk rock heros Neil Young, Blue Rodeo and Murray McLachlan, Lake's Southern Ontario fan base is embracing his style and sound. I spoke with the former Extraordinary Mrs. Wicks frontman in our Toronto studios earlier this week.

Angela Antle
Weekend Arts Magazine - Linernotes
CBC Radio One

http://www.cbc.ca/wam/media/20070902QA_Linernotes_Michael_Lake_36409.ram

http://www.cbc.ca/wam/liner_archives/2007_sep.html

- CBC Radio One - Sept. 2, 2007


"Radio Interview"

What do carousels, airports and swordfish have in common? They all figure into the songwriting of Newfoundland native Michael Lake. Now residing in Toronto, Lake's first CD, called Out Of Order, is a collection of songs penned over the last four years. With overtones of Canadian folk rock heros Neil Young, Blue Rodeo and Murray McLachlan, Lake's Southern Ontario fan base is embracing his style and sound. I spoke with the former Extraordinary Mrs. Wicks frontman in our Toronto studios earlier this week.

Angela Antle
Weekend Arts Magazine - Linernotes
CBC Radio One

http://www.cbc.ca/wam/media/20070902QA_Linernotes_Michael_Lake_36409.ram

http://www.cbc.ca/wam/liner_archives/2007_sep.html

- CBC Radio One - Sept. 2, 2007


Discography

2008 sessions in March, CD in May
- recording new 12-song album with Toronto producer Don Kerr (Rheostatics, Ron Sexsmith, Neko Case)

2007 solo album "Out of Order"
- 12 songs written and produced by Michael
- features performances by David Celia, John Showman (Creaking Tree String Quartet) and Stephen Stanley (Lowest of the Low)

2001 EP "atypicalfriday" with band Freshwater
- included 8 tracks written by Michael and 1 co-written with Rory Sills; produced by Michael Lake and Dave Tedesco

Photos

Bio

Michael Lake looks more like a tight-lipped longshoreman than a guy who'll bare his soul in a song. Don't be fooled.

He was born in the small town of Freshwater, Newfoundland, and grew up in St. John's. A move to Toronto inspired a FACTOR-funded EP called atypicalfriday with folk-funk five-piece Freshwater, and gigs from St. Catherine's to Sudbury. 2007's Out of Order is his first solo release and features performances by David Celia, John Showman (Creaking Tree String Quartet) and Stephen Stanley (Lowest of the Low).

The band is a modern mix to say the least – international expats who met where else but on the internet. Michael and Alex Mine (drums) met on a Toronto music site in 2003. He grew up in New Jersey and has played stages across the US, Canada and as far away as Japan. He's also a talented engineer and composer. Originally from Le Havre, France, Dave Buland hasn't been away from his bass since he was 17. He studied jazz at JAM in Montpellier, played over 400 shows across Europe and moved to Toronto in 2005, joining Alex in several projects almost immediately. Yoza Pilasanovic (guitar & vocals) is from Belgrade and met Michael briefly in 2004 only to turn up again two years later playing with Alex and Dave. Strange coincidence. He’s played everything including funk, rockabilly and industrial, and has a love of art and architecture that's mirrored in his guitar work. Together, Alex, Dave and Yoza create the perfect scenes for Michael's songs – the forest and the trees.