Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"A forthright songwriter with an ear for rootsy melody, Holden is also a tireless organizer and proponent of local music." - The Washington Post
"[Holden] digs metaphors pertaining to streets, storms, stars, and drifting off to sea." - The Village Voice
"Mike Holden is a young singer from Arlington, VA with a new self-released debut, 'Exhibit A'. His record surprised us. Flooded with violin, organ and hippie sentiment it would seemingly nod to fellow Southerner Dave Matthews, but Holden's act is much less cloying. In fact, we have a big soft spot for chunks of 'Exhibit A', especially those that remind us of Camper Van Beethoven and Bob Dylan's 'Desire'." - Time Out, New York
"Perseverance and talent are paying off, for the singer/songwriter has recently released his first full-lengther, Exhibit A, which is gathering appreciative notice from fans and critics for such absorbing songs as 'Deep Water,' 'Last Man Standing,' and 'Straight Whiskey'." - Washington City Paper
"Arlington, Virginia's Mike Holden is still a relative newcomer to the burgeoning singer-songwriter scene in Washington, DC, but with the release of last year's debut disc 'Exhibit A', he made a strong case for himself regarding his own musical value. While his stuff is a mostly muted affair, Holden claims Springsteen as his biggest influence. Listen for that Brucey phrasing in his vocal delivery. It's definitely there." - Flagpole
"Local singer-songwriter Mike Holden's 'Exhibit A' has its moments too, thanks to idle musings -- the engaging opener 'Caught Up and Away' -- and winning wordcraft -- the Steve Forbert-like coda 'Last Man Standing'." - The Washington Post
"Exhibit A" is a consistently engaging album. The evocative musical arrangements, the deft instrumental interplay, and the snazzy percussion evidence the emergence of a talented ensemble. With "Exhibit A" Holden asserts himself as a dynamic folk-rock artist. - Shooting Star (Arlington, VA)
Discography
"Exhibit A" - Full-Length
"Level" - E.P. to be released in 2005
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, Mike Holden has spent the last several years in Arlington, Virginia--located just across the Potomac River from the Nation's Capitol--where he has quickly made a name for himself in the Washington area scene, as both a musician and a strong supporter of music in the region.
Holden and his music have been the subject of write-ups in multiple national publications including The Village Voice, Time Out New York and The Washington Post, who described Holden as "a forthright songwriter with an ear for rootsy melody" and "a tireless organizer and proponent of local music." Holden regularly travels the East Coast, having played clubs and colleges from New York to Florida and overseas in Northern Ireland.
Holden's full-length debut, "Exhibit A," showcased his skills as a songwriter, gaining him five Wammie nominations--including Debut Recording, Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year--from the members of the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA). Holden's second CD, an E.P. enititled "Level," which was produced by Ted Comerford (Virginia Coalition, Lucky Town, Red Wanting Blue, Brown Couch, Juniper Lane, Down Dexter) and mixed by Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Suzanne Vega, Wilco), will be released later this year.
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