Michael Whisler
Valley City, North Dakota, United States
Music
Press
"This unassuming guy walks out on the stage carrying his guitar and you are not sure what to expect. The minute he begins to play you know it's not going to be your average show."
- The Listening Room, Fargo, ND
"This unassuming guy walks out on the stage carrying his guitar and you are not sure what to expect. The minute he begins to play you know it's not going to be your average show."
- The Listening Room, Fargo, ND
"When you first see Michael Whisler, you expect a fluty, singer-songwriter voice and a meandering melody to come flowing from his fingers. The instant he touches the guitar, that changes. Michael’s bellowing vocals and surprisingly discordant tunes make his performances a spectator sport, rather than an easy listening experience." - Olympia, WA
"When you first see Michael Whisler, you expect a fluty, singer-songwriter voice and a meandering melody to come flowing from his fingers. The instant he touches the guitar, that changes. Michael’s bellowing vocals and surprisingly discordant tunes make his performances a spectator sport, rather than an easy listening experience." - Olympia, WA
"...for those who don't know, Michael has fingers of gold!" - Ames, IA
"...for those who don't know, Michael has fingers of gold!" - Ames, IA
"Whisler knows how to generate the power and sonic textures inherent in a 12-string. "Charley's Waltz," is a lovely tune that develops its melody well, revealing a charm that woos the listener. Other interesting songs are the closer, "Stump Grinder," and "In Between the Birch," with its slow whining slide parts painting the picture of what lies just beyond the trees." - Minor 7th
"Whisler knows how to generate the power and sonic textures inherent in a 12-string. "Charley's Waltz," is a lovely tune that develops its melody well, revealing a charm that woos the listener. Other interesting songs are the closer, "Stump Grinder," and "In Between the Birch," with its slow whining slide parts painting the picture of what lies just beyond the trees." - Minor 7th
"It's a propulsive, aggressive style. He's a rhythmic player. Guitar is the focal point, it has a dirtier, grittier sound" - Fingerstyle Guitarist Minneapolis, MN
"It's a propulsive, aggressive style. He's a rhythmic player. Guitar is the focal point, it has a dirtier, grittier sound" - Fingerstyle Guitarist Minneapolis, MN
Discography
"Next" - 2010
"Molehill" - 2007
"Steel Strings in Stereo" - Out of Print
Photos
Bio
You don't hear a lot of 12-string guitarists. That's because it requires a mixture of natural talent and a dedicated commitment to be any good. Michael Whisler certainly has natural talent and as soon as you hear him play, you will see how his dedication has paid off. Whisler is an accomplished acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter composing on both 12 and 6 string guitars. His blending of alternate tunings and a sweet bottleneck tone gives his music an identity you will come to know as his own. Often starting shows with ripping fast paced instrumentals that demonstrate his dynamic power and speed, listeners hear a unique style that draws from American folk, blues and classical music. Michael's music is clearly Americana. Once he has your attention, he'll add some mellow ballads, and then you begin to watch his diversity unfold. Some concert listeners are lucky enough to hear him slip into one of his mesmerizing dissonant free-time melodies that make them hope the song won't ever end. He is first known as an accomplished solo guitarist, so you might be surprised with his warm vocals. His voice carries a scale as effortlessly as his fingers find notes on his guitar.
Scott Curfman, The Listening Room, Fargo, ND
Links
