Michael and Marisa

Topsfield —
Hundreds of gigs later, North Shore-based Michael and Marisa, are still loving performing, writing, and recording together, and this month they return for their seventh season to perform two shows at the Topsfield Fair on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Their bond is evident seconds into a live performance and their brother and sister harmonies deliver catchy rock pop anthems laced with themes of teen fun and social challenges. They want their songs to deliver strong messages with purpose and meaning.
The teen siblings are just as tight on stage as they are off. They started performing in public together when they were only 7 and 8 years old. Today, at 13 and 14, their resume spans over 300 performances in dozens of major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Atlanta.
With Michael on vocals and electric guitar, and Marisa on vocals and drums, their refreshing style produces a blend of classic rock and pop tunes, with a flair of indie sprinkled here and there. Their upcoming Topsfield Fair performance is their local favorite as they get to connect with their Boston fans. They typically spend as much time with the fans after a show as they do performing, but always save time to hang with friends and ride the scariest rides at the fair.
The duo composers were back in the studio this summer — this time in Nashville with EMI Music Publishing producer Stokes Nielson crafting some new releases. They have previously release a 12-song album, “Kickin’ It Together” in 2008, and a four song EP, “It’s Like That” in 2010.
Their songs are helping kids everywhere. Michael and Marisa’s anti-bullying song, “The Same” has made an impact on how youth are viewing outsiders in schools and has helped kids realize that bystanders can really help in the charge to knockout bullying. With over 230,000 YouTube views, the video is connecting with school-aged children across the world and is making them more aware of how they can help their friends and classmates who are being bullied. The pop stars hope their song reaches bullies and those unfairly being bullied..."If our song causes even one bystander to take a stand, that one action could be the start of a chain of events that could help to stop bullying."
Michael and Marisa are contributing 20 percent of the sales of "The Same” to the national anti-bullying organization, PACER. This song has received national attention from: Yahoo Kids, AOL Kids, CNN, J-14, PBS, Fox Teen Kids News, Parents Magazine, Pixie, Twist Magazine, and many more. Michael and Marisa are also performing at anti-bullying symposiums in schools across the country. Music departments are teaching the song to their students who are helping to post the video across all social networks, and national bullying awareness and prevention programs are featuring it on their websites.
The sibs are living the fast-paced lifestyle of touring nationally, and this summer performed in many new cities to sold-out crowds as openers for teen star, Greyson Chance, on his first headlining tour. When Greyson found out he was going to headline his own tour, he told his manager he wanted Michael and Marisa to be his opening act. The duo has shared the stage with artists such as American Idol’s David Archuleta, Nickelodeon’s Drake Bell, Cody Simpson, Disney’s Mitchel Musso and they particularly enjoyed an impromptu performance with Lily Allen at the House of Blues in Boston when she pulled them on the stage to join her in singing her show finale song “Smile”. Recently, Michael and Marisa released their feel good, summer pop single, “You Feel Like Saturday” which you can check out on their official YouTube channel at (youtube.com/michaelandmarisa) which has upwards of 850,000 views.
As J-14 magazine wrote, “Siblings Michael and Marisa are just 13 and 14, but they're ready to take the music world by storm”. While doing so, they are putting teen emotions front and center. For latest updates and show schedule, visit michaelandmarisa.com, or stop by the Topsfield Fair shows to hear some of their new music.



Read more: Michael and Marisa return to Topsfield Fair stage - Boxford, MA - Tri-Town Transcript http://www.wickedlocal.com/topsfield/features/x110335817/Michael-and-Marisa-return-to-Topsfield-Fair-stage#ixzz1cVAQ0rcI - Wicked Local

Topsfield —
Hundreds of gigs later, North Shore-based Michael and Marisa, are still loving performing, writing, and recording together, and this month they return for their seventh season to perform two shows at the Topsfield Fair on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Their bond is evident seconds into a live performance and their brother and sister harmonies deliver catchy rock pop anthems laced with themes of teen fun and social challenges. They want their songs to deliver strong messages with purpose and meaning.
The teen siblings are just as tight on stage as they are off. They started performing in public together when they were only 7 and 8 years old. Today, at 13 and 14, their resume spans over 300 performances in dozens of major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Atlanta.
With Michael on vocals and electric guitar, and Marisa on vocals and drums, their refreshing style produces a blend of classic rock and pop tunes, with a flair of indie sprinkled here and there. Their upcoming Topsfield Fair performance is their local favorite as they get to connect with their Boston fans. They typically spend as much time with the fans after a show as they do performing, but always save time to hang with friends and ride the scariest rides at the fair.
The duo composers were back in the studio this summer — this time in Nashville with EMI Music Publishing producer Stokes Nielson crafting some new releases. They have previously release a 12-song album, “Kickin’ It Together” in 2008, and a four song EP, “It’s Like That” in 2010.
Their songs are helping kids everywhere. Michael and Marisa’s anti-bullying song, “The Same” has made an impact on how youth are viewing outsiders in schools and has helped kids realize that bystanders can really help in the charge to knockout bullying. With over 230,000 YouTube views, the video is connecting with school-aged children across the world and is making them more aware of how they can help their friends and classmates who are being bullied. The pop stars hope their song reaches bullies and those unfairly being bullied..."If our song causes even one bystander to take a stand, that one action could be the start of a chain of events that could help to stop bullying."
Michael and Marisa are contributing 20 percent of the sales of "The Same” to the national anti-bullying organization, PACER. This song has received national attention from: Yahoo Kids, AOL Kids, CNN, J-14, PBS, Fox Teen Kids News, Parents Magazine, Pixie, Twist Magazine, and many more. Michael and Marisa are also performing at anti-bullying symposiums in schools across the country. Music departments are teaching the song to their students who are helping to post the video across all social networks, and national bullying awareness and prevention programs are featuring it on their websites.
The sibs are living the fast-paced lifestyle of touring nationally, and this summer performed in many new cities to sold-out crowds as openers for teen star, Greyson Chance, on his first headlining tour. When Greyson found out he was going to headline his own tour, he told his manager he wanted Michael and Marisa to be his opening act. The duo has shared the stage with artists such as American Idol’s David Archuleta, Nickelodeon’s Drake Bell, Cody Simpson, Disney’s Mitchel Musso and they particularly enjoyed an impromptu performance with Lily Allen at the House of Blues in Boston when she pulled them on the stage to join her in singing her show finale song “Smile”. Recently, Michael and Marisa released their feel good, summer pop single, “You Feel Like Saturday” which you can check out on their official YouTube channel at (youtube.com/michaelandmarisa) which has upwards of 850,000 views.
As J-14 magazine wrote, “Siblings Michael and Marisa are just 13 and 14, but they're ready to take the music world by storm”. While doing so, they are putting teen emotions front and center. For latest updates and show schedule, visit michaelandmarisa.com, or stop by the Topsfield Fair shows to hear some of their new music.



Read more: Michael and Marisa return to Topsfield Fair stage - Boxford, MA - Tri-Town Transcript http://www.wickedlocal.com/topsfield/features/x110335817/Michael-and-Marisa-return-to-Topsfield-Fair-stage#ixzz1cVAQ0rcI - Wicked Local

After the atrocity of Rebecca Black’s “Friday,” the incredibly talented pop/rock duo, Michael & Marisa, are giving young musicians everywhere a second-chance with the premiere of their latest video for their single “You Feel Like Saturday,” the second single off their “It’s Like That” EP.

At 13 and 14, Michael & Marisa started performing in public together when they were only seven and eight years old. With Michael on vocals and electric guitar, and Marisa on vocals and drums, their harmonizing produces a blend of classic rock and pop, working with famed music industry veterans such as Peter Zizzo (Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton) and Gina Shock of The Go-Gos.

The sibling duo, recently made an impact with their anti-bullying song “The Same.” In addition to being named national spokesmen for PACER’s Teens Against Bullying, Michael & Marisa also recently donated a portion of their tour earnings to Pacer’s National Center for Bullying Prevention. - THE COMET

“It’s great to be back at the Hard Rock!’’ says the singer from the stage, clutching his electric guitar and addressing the audience like the veteran performer he is. It’s early in the set, and most of the sizable crowd is seated around tables on the floor, although a few people have already gotten up to dance. The singer shouts props to the evening’s two opening acts and then, with a shake of his tousled brown hair, rips into “Rockin’ Radio,’’ a catchy song with a revved-up rockabilly beat.

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MICHAEL & MARISA

Perform at Boston GreenFest 2009 next Saturday at 1:15 p.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza. For a complete list of performers, show times, and activities for GreenFest, which runs Aug. 20-22, visit www.bostongreenfest.org
“All right, Marisa,’’ he says, turning toward the girl behind a drum kit that looks bigger than she is. “Show ’em what you got!’’ Smiling ear to ear, she goes for a drum solo, banging away at the tom toms and cymbals surrounding her - sticks, hands, and feet all in propulsive motion.

It’s a Sunday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, and the duo on stage is a dynamic brother-sister combo known as Michael & Marisa. This is the Kouroubacalis siblings’ fourth concert at the Hard Rock’s Cavern Club, and it’s also their fourth year performing together professionally. What makes this night, and these numbers, a bit surprising, however, is the fact that Michael and Marisa are, respectively, 11 and 12 years old.

“You may think, two little kids - what can they do?’’ Michael muses backstage, munching on ziti, fried chicken fingers, and french fries with his sister. “Or they see us and we’re not as big as they expected, and they’re like, ‘We hired these two kids? Are you kidding me?’ Then they see us play and they’re like, ‘Whoa.’ ’’

Bassist Jeff Maccora, 27, is part of the backing band that joins Michael and Marisa during segments of their show. “It blows me away - they’re singing harmony parts while they’re playing their own instruments,’’ says Maccora, a Berklee College of Music graduate. “I know some people who are my age that can’t do that, and they’ve been playing for way longer.’’

Exceeding the expectations of grown-ups has become par for the course for the duo. “First of all, people always think he’s the drummer,’’ Marisa says, motioning toward her younger brother and wearing a grin that lights up the green room. “So that’s always cool to surprise them.’’

Surprising people - a lot of them - is something the siblings will have a chance to do a week from tomorrow, when they’re scheduled to be among the 50 or so musical performers at Boston GreenFest 2009. But they won’t be playing the kid’s stage set up for the puppet and magic shows. Instead, Michael & Marisa will be joining local rock luminaries such as the Neighborhoods, Dirty Truckers, Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents, Lucero, and the John Powhida International Airport on the main stage at Boston City Hall Plaza.

For a duo that has played roughly 170 shows over the past four years - from tours to festivals to theme parks - GreenFest, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people during its three-day run of music, film, and green technology exhibits, feels like just another gig. Both kids claim they don’t get nervous before a show. Singing, playing, and - more recently - writing their own material (with or without the help of their musical director and Michael’s guitar teacher and occasional bandmate, Billy Garzone) felt right from the start, they say.

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MICHAEL & MARISA

Perform at Boston GreenFest 2009 next Saturday at 1:15 p.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza. For a complete list of performers, show times, and activities for GreenFest, which runs Aug. 20-22, visit www.bostongreenfest.org
“I was born musical,’’ Michael says. “I didn’t like any toys - all I wanted was CDs.’’

Initially, Michael’s father, Steve, thought a good way for father and son to bond was for both to take guitar lessons with Garzone. Soon, the son - all of 6 years old at the time - surpassed his old man.

“I thought it would be the other way around - that I’d be showing him stuff,’’ Steve recalls. “But he was showing me. Then all of a sudden, the gigs started coming in and I turned into a roadie.’’

He and his wife, Janet, run the family’s North Shore toy wholesale business, which works with children’s charities. With the kids performing about 50 shows a year, it’s a full schedule for the family. “During the school year, it’s a challenge,’’ Steve admits. “By the time they get home from school, eat dinner, do homework, and have practice, it’s a lot.’’

Still, Marisa was eager to join her brother’s musical pursuits. After trying violin lessons, she settled on an instrument considerably less fussy. “I like to hit things,’’ Marisa says exuberantly. “So I decided one day, why not take the drums and then Michael and I could jam together.’’

That modest impulse has led to a management - The Boston Globe

Young blood: Michael and Marisa crash the tween scene
By Bill Brotherton
Thursday, July 3, 2008

“This is one of our old songs,” says Michael, 10, sliding his guitar over his shoulder. His sister, Marisa, 11, a pint-sized cutie, sits behind a drum kit in the basement of their North Shore home, taps the snare and hums into a yellow kazoo.

The preteen duo launches into “I Can’t Stop,” an irresistible slice of bubblegum pop they wrote three years ago. Their harmonies are heavenly.

Meet Michael and Marisa, a local act generating a buzz nationwide. The duo’s first CD, “Kickin’ it Together,” includes nine originals and contributions from “Hannah Montana” songwriter Jeannie Lurie and producer Amy Powers (“Sunset Boulevard” lyricist). Michael and Marisa have already rocked venues veteran acts would give their eyeteeth to play: the Roxy and Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, and Lincoln Center in New York City. And they’ve opened for Nickelodeon star Drake Bell.

“The first time I saw them, they reminded me of the White Stripes,” said Aimee Berger, their New York-based manager. “Not the music, just the way they looked onstage. For his age, Michael, all I can say is ‘Wow!’ And Marisa is so darling and charismatic.” Berger said the goal this year is to “partner with a major (label) that understands the kids market.

“Their target demo is 7- to 13- year-olds,” she said, “and their songs are perfect for their audience. I have not come across two youngsters who have generated this kind of fan base at such a young age.” Musician Billy Garzone has been Michael’s guitar teacher since the boy was 6. He saw potential from the first lesson. “Usually with kids under 10, lessons last a couple of weeks because they never practice,” Garzone said. “But Michael’s dad took lessons too, was very supportive and they practiced together, and I think that made the difference.” Ever impatient, Michael kept asking Garzone “What next?” Garzone had him sing. Then he suggested Marisa play drums and harmonize. Then the three started writing songs.

“I did take guitar lessons with Michael, as one more way to bond,” said dad Steve. “Michael practiced and practiced and practiced. It wasn’t long before he was showing me how to play. He just gets it.”

Mom Janet is amazed by the frenzy surrounding her two children when they perform. “For example, the Whisky a Go Go show. It was 8:30 on a Friday night. In the audience were girls with tattoos and guys with eyeliner. These two little kids got up on stage and the audience just went crazy.”

Patty Duffey of Lightning Consulting is responsible for booking the duo’s gigs - which include a Harborfest appearance at City Hall Plaza on Saturday at 6 p.m. and an Aug. 10 show in Cambridge at the Regattabar - and supervising their Web site (michaelandmarisa.com).

“At the Topsfield Fair last year,” she recalled, “an older gentleman leaned over to his friend and said, ‘Yeah, they’re good. But he’s not really playing guitar,’ which he was. At EarthFest at the Hatch Shell, these rocker dudes heard Michael play Hendrix and (Heart’s) ‘Barracuda’ and said, ‘Oh, man. That’s unreal. That’s not fair. He’s so young.’ ”

A year from now, Marisa says she hopes to be touring the world. Michael does, too. But he has a big fear: When he and Marisa win their first Grammy, he’s afraid the presenter will mispronounce their last name.















- The Boston Globe

Tri-Town Transcript, October 18, 2007

Banded Together
TOPSFIELD - A brother-sister band in Topsfield is getting good, being kept busy playing concerts, festivals, and fairs in the area; that is, of course, when they’re not playing Celtics games, Hollywood nightclubs, and upscale New York City venues.
Throw elementary school in the mix, and you could probably say Michael and Marisa Kouroubacalis are much busier than your average 9- or 10-year old kid.
Beginning their public performance career at age 7 and 8, Michael and Marisa are living the life of rock stars, as they continue to take their guitar and drum combo across the county and the country.
Although when they’re not performing cover songs at a wide range of performance halls, they are busy on the original album they’ve been working on with music instructor and producer Billy Garzone, an individual that guided the two to where they are today.
And for Michael and Marisa, it’s all about the music and the shows, with Michael, who has been playing guitar for people since he was 7, saying a day without music, can be a struggle.
“It’s really annoying to live without music,” Michael said about how some days he may be too busy with school or other activities to play music and that he notices the difference.
Drummer Marisa said she loves the freedom of a drum kit, being able to include any variety of grooves or fills in a song, just as long she can keep the beat.
And as they are attracting interest from all angles, such as New York City’s Lincoln Center or Rocketown in Nashville, Tenn., the two have been witnessing many different audience bases.
“Every time you have a different gig you don’t know what you’re gonna get,” Marisa said, adding it could be teenagers with pink hair, biker dudes with eyeliner on, or kids their own age.
Parents Steve and Janet say they don’t know where Michael and Marisa’s natural musical talents come from, as they aren’t musicians themselves, except to say they were simply music lovers from birth.
“They talk and joke with the crowd,” Janet said about the Michael and Marisa’s stage presence and how being in front of a crowd of 1,000 is the same to them as going to Dairy Queen.
The Topsfield preteens are also becoming familiar with the sometimes-arduous process of song writing, knowing that song ideas come from anywhere, and that just because one song can take a day and a half to write, the very next song could take any number of months.
“Different songs, [depending] how you envision them, are long or short,” Marisa said, outlining the point that a songwriter will work on a song a little or as much as he or she feels. “Sometimes it takes a super longtime.”
And within the song writing process, Michael has taken a particular excitement toward digital music and video editing, as he is well versed in Macintosh programs and external hardware that allow you to record tracks of music and alter them after.
“He hears things that aren’t on the sheet music,” Steve said about Michael’s ear for music and how he can pick out certain notes off an audio track that aren’t on the sheet music.
Just recently Los Angeles songwriter Amy Powers, who sells music to Disney enterprises such Hannah Montana, approached the brother-sister combo and is now writing songs for Michael and Marisa to play and record.
The two will be in New York City recording five songs for Powers and will be recording their full-length original album in Boston with Garzone all throughout the month of November.
Michael and Marisa recently played the Topsfield Fair and are scheduled to play tomorrow’s (Oct. 20) Pumpkin Festival in Boston. Of the hundreds of past performances, Topsfield’s version of The White Stripes has hit the Whiskey a Go-Go and the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, as well as Six Flags New England and Canobie Lake Park.
In addition to their 15 original songs, Michael and Marisa can rock out to 60 cover songs they know including songs by The Who, Chuck Berry, AC/DC, Tom Petty, Buddy Holly, Pearl Jam and many more.
With a promising future, Michael and Marisa are sure to bring their drum and guitar act around. But to when they will add a bass player to make them a power trio ala Cream or The Police, the two said they aren’t looking anytime soon.
- Tri-Town Transcript

Groveland children rock to live music at summer camp
By Sara Codair
Correspondent

June 27, 2008

GROVELAND — It was warm and muggy, but that didn't faze these kids.

They got up and danced to some of their favorite music, courtesy of the popular brother-and-sister rock duo known as Michael and Marisa.

The 10-year-old brother and his 11-year-old sister performed yesterday for children at the Groveland recreation summer program at Bagnall School.

The duo played a variety songs like "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi and "Big Girls don't Cry" by Fergie, as well as some original songs from their debut album. Members of the audience got up and danced and sang along, apparently unfazed by the school cafeteria's lack of air conditioning.

Michael and Marisa may be small in size, but their voices certainly aren't. Yesterday, they played at a small town elementary school, but on July 5, they will play at City Hall Plaza during the Harbor Fest in Boston.

As they continue their summer tour, they will travel the East Coast and perform in Hershey Park in Pennsylvania and Six Flags in Atlanta. Last year, they played at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood.

For the children in the summer recreation program, its only the beginning of the fun.

"There will be one special event and/or one field trip a week," said Matthew Castonguay, a director of the recreation program.

He said upcoming events include a dance night, a gift card give-away and a counselors competition.

Castonguay was responsible for bringing Michael and Marisa to Groveland.


"I heard terrific things about them, and saw them perform at Bradford Elementary (School in Haverhill) while I was teaching there," he said. "The kids loved them there, so I decided to bring them to the camp."

Castonguay said yesterday's concert was a success. "It was awesome," he said. "The kids had fun, and that's what camp is all about."
- The Eagle Tribune

Marshfield Mariner
Sibling show comes to Furnace Brook
By Jeff Harder
Tuesday Oct 30, 2007
MARSHFIELD - At an age when many children can barely wrap their fingers around a guitar neck, the brother-and-sister musical duo Michael & Marisa are entertaining audiences with their mix of classic rock covers and originals, and their talent can make others suspicious.
“A gentleman said, ‘Oh, he’s not really playing the guitar, that’s a recording,’” said Patricia Duffey of Lightening Consulting, the group’s manager, of a skeptical reaction at a recent show. “That’s what people think when they first see them.”
Marshfield can see for itself when the group performs at Furnace Brook Middle School on Friday, Nov. 2, at 1:30 p.m. as part of a school assembly. The duo, Michael at 9 years old and Marisa at 10, boasts a repertoire of around 88 songs, and over the course of a set they could play songs by the Beatles, AC/DC and Buddy Holly or draw from their list of 18 originals, which they plan to include an album coming out later this fall.
Though their performance schedule slows when summer rolls into a new school year, the pair has come off of a busy summer, having played nearly 100 shows in their young careers. Touring has taken them to seven states and venues that include the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood and New York City’s Lincoln Center, and they have opened for Drake Bell from Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh Show.
Furnace Brook science teacher Sandy Denty invited them to the school after seeing them perform at Point Sebago Resort in Maine. She thinks their example reinforces the adage that anything is achievable with practice.
“At first I thought they only knew one song, and then they played an hour-long set,” she said.
Janet Kouroubacalis, the pair’s mother, said Michael had an interest in music from an unusually young age and didn’t take to sports as much as his father Steve, so the two started bonding over guitar lessons with Billy Garzone three years ago.
“After two lessons, (Garzone) said, ‘This kid is not normal. He really has a knack for it,’” said Kouroubacalis, noting that her son practiced for hours a day.
Marisa started playing drums following a short stint with violin after Michael started playing guitar.
“I got really, really bored playing violin and I thought drums would be fun,” she said.
When Marisa took a role in a production of “The Sound of Music,” family members filled the audience, but Mom and Dad wanted to make sure the attention wasn’t lopsided. The parents found an open-mike night at the Fish Hill Tavern in Beverly two years ago, inviting family members and friends to watch Michael sing and play his guitar. He assumed a performer’s persona, playing three songs to an enthusiastic audience.
Over the coming months, Michael’s solo performances featured Marisa on the drums, and the two joined forces. They share vocal duties, and under Garzone’s tutelage, they started playing
After playing at the Boxford Music Festival, Duffey approached them and eventually became their manager.
“They were drawing crowds to sit down, whereas during the previous bands there wasn’t a soul anywhere near the stage,” said Duffey, who had not managed any music acts prior to Michael & Marisa.
Past audiences have numbered up to 20,000, according to Duffey, and fan appreciation is intense.
“I usually have stacks of photocopied pictures,” Kouroubacalis said. “We can go through 200 of those, then it’s, ‘Sign my shirt, sign my arm, sign my face.’”
But large audiences don’t translate to stage fright.
“They’re as comfortable (performing) as going bowling,” said Kouroubacalis.
Or maybe they’re as comfortable performing as doing tae kwon do, their other after-school activity.
The two do a lot of instrumental multi-tasking — besides sharing vocals, Marisa plays kazoo at times while drumming and Michael sometimes plays bass lines adapted for guitar — but the absence of a bassist begs whether they’ll break the family bond to bring in another member.
“They practice every day, and it would be difficult to rehearse and practice the way they do with another member,” Kouroubacalis said.
Although they might harbor grand plans — Marisa wants to tour the world by the time she turns 13 — the impetus for playing music has humble roots. Michael said,
“You get to play songs that you really like. It makes people happy and it makes me happy,” he said.
- Marshfield Mariner

PK Picks August |Our best picks this month
Brother and sister team rock it out!
We have to admit, we had this CD cranking in the car even when our own kids weren’t with us. Meet native New Englanders 11-year-old Marisa and 10-year-old Michael – a rising force in the tween rock scene with their debut album “Kickin’ It Together.” This CD is bursting with high energy, catchy tunes. And guess what? These two have been performing and writing songs for the past three years. You can see them live Aug. 10 in Cambridge at the Regattabar. ($10, www.michaelandmarisa.com)

Got questions for Marisa and Michael? Go to their site and ask your own. Here’s what other kids wanted to know:

Hannah, 12: What is it like to perform, and what is your favorite part about it?
Marisa: My favorite part of performing is seeing how audiences are made up of all different ages and kinds of people and that all these different types of people like our music.

Michael: It's a great fun experience, and it makes you want to do it again and again. My favorite part is watching the audience's reaction.

Eli, 10: What would you say is your biggest gig?
Answer: The biggest audience was 18,000 people at the Boston Celtics game. Our biggest favorite shows were when we performed at the Whisky A Go Go Night Club in Hollywood and when we opened for Drake Bell in Pittsburgh.

Olivia, 10: Do you miss having a summer?
Answer: The summer is our favorite time of the year because we get to tour, which is what we love the most!
- Parent and Kids Paper

Tri-Town Tales
By David Rogers Thu Oct 11, 2007, 11:45 AM EDT

Topsfield - Torrential rain threatened to make the last day of the Topsfield Fair a complete wash out. Based on the buckets and buckets of rain coming down earlier in the day, I wouldn’t have been surprised if all those plastic ducks in the blue wading pools dotted around the midway had floated away. But thankfully, by lunchtime much of the rain had stopped and it was nice enough to wander around the fairgrounds one last time this year.

And I’m glad I did for it gave me the chance to listen to some rock ‘n’ roll courtesy of two Topsfield musicians, Michael and Marisa Kouroubacalis. Michael, 9, plays the electric guitar and sings, while 10-year-old Marisa whacks the drum skins and sings a little too. For about an hour, the tweenie version of The White Stripes played a set containing originals and covers. Among the covers they played were “Living on a Prayer,” by Bon Jovi, AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and my personal favorite: “Substitute” by the Who.

I give the kids kudos for their overall musical acumen and the way they got the crowd of about 50 youngsters and their parents going.

At one point, Michael shouted: “Let’s rock the place!”

If I had one complaint (and I write this with tongue firmly in cheek) is that they didn’t have a bass player. Being one myself, I get overly sensitive when I see bands forgo the most important instrument. Also, the Who’s classic song is so bass driven that without a bass player plucking away, the song isn’t nearly as powerful.

At one point, I leaned over to one of the adults in the crowd and joked that they really needed John Entwhistle (the Who’s late bass player) to take care of the bottom end. He laughed and replied that he wondered if Marisa would destroy her drum kit the way Keith Moon (also deceased) did after finishing a song.

In case you were curious, she didn’t!

- Wicked Publishing

Feature Articles
SINGING SIBLINGS
BY carrie wattu


Ten-year-old Michael and 11-year-old Marisa had just rolled in to their home on the North Shore after a night at the Jonas Brothers' concert in Manchester, New Hampshire.

"We love concerts!" bubbled Marisa, who shared details of various Jonases rising to the ceiling (or were they coming from the ceiling?) on elevated circle stages. Anyway, "It was so cool," and apparently, very energizing.

And before that, the siblings (Michael and Marisa, that is) had just arrived from weeks performing cover songs and originals off their album, Kickin' It Together for their summer tour in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

On the trip home, their father, Steve, was surprised when the kids asked, "Dad, can you take the long way home?"

Steve wondered: Didn't they miss their own beds? Didn't they miss their own showers?

"Performing is one of our favorite things," Michael quickly explained, "We don't get sad and feel like we wasted our summer. The more performances, the better!"

And when they are not performing?


"We are always practicing!" Marisa chimed in.

"Yeah," agreed Michael, "We ask our parents if we can practice instead of watching TV or going on the computer."

Many assume the siblings, who talk freely and excitedly, are twins in looks and personality, but they are actually opposites. Marisa is driven and competitive. Michael is artsy and laid back. The two wrote the lyrics to their song Me with You to explain this connection, that even people who are opposite can be a good fit.

"They are really close and would go to the ends of the earth for each other," said Michael and Marisa's mother, Janet, "When I think of them, I think of big smiles."

Trading in the Balls & Bats

When Michael was born, Steve looked forward to playing ball and sports with his second child, a son!

However, as much as Steve tried, it just wasn't clicking.

Michael had no interest in sports and trucks (any toys really!) but showed early signs of real music ability.

"When he was 4, he and Marisa would go to the computer, attach a camera, write a movie, perform and film it, burn a CD, and put it under our bedroom door before we woke up. He had never been taught any of this. His musical inclination and technical talents seemed very unusual," recalled Janet.

Following this direction, Steve traded in their bats and balls for guitars and joined his son for guitar lessons.

After just one month, Steve and Janet were surprised how well their 7-year-old son could play. "He was crazy good!" said Janet.

"And we are not music people," Janet clarified, "We are business people. My husband is a jock. But you watch your children's signals and what they gravitate to. You cultivate their interests. It was our children who showed us the way."





First Time in the Spotlight

As Michael excelled on the guitar, 8- year-old Marisa was in the spotlight, playing Gretel in a community theatre production of Sound of Music. Marisa's experience on stage inspired Steve and Janet to find an outlet for Michael to enjoy some time in the spotlight too.

They decided to check out an open mic night at the Fish Hill Tavern in Beverly. There, Michael performed three classic rock songs, including Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival. For his first time performing for strangers (a full house), Steve and Janet saw a light switch go off, a spark that they had never before seen in him, "He had real pizzazz!"

A booking agent sitting in the audience asked if Michael would like to perform in more shows. Almost immediately, Michael began to perform all over New England including for a crowd of 18,000 for the National Anthem at a Celtics game.

"He started to have a schedule within a month! He was just 7 years old and in first grade," said Janet.

The excitement of Michael's success was contagious for Marisa, who already played the violin. On December 2, 2005, several months after Marisa decided to try the drums, the pop rock duo, Michael and Marisa, made their debut.

With Michael on vocals and electric guitar, and Marisa on vocals and drums, the two have performed over 100 songs from artists like The Beatles, Van Morrison, Avril Lavigne and even Hannah Montana as well as over a dozen originals.

"They sound like a full band, and they sing at the same time, yet they are only little kids. There's nothing out there like this. Brother and sister at that!" said Janet.

Side by Side

Janet and Steve have been by Michael and Marisa's side for every show. The couple can manage their business, New England Doll Novelty Company, via Internet and cell phone, while on tour with the kids.

"We watch them very, very carefully around kids and adults," said Steve, "especially when people crowd them for autographs." Keeping safety issues in mind, the family does not use their last name or town when discussing the children's - Bay State Parent

Village Reporter, March 29, 2006
Eight year old to play National Anthem at Celtics Game
Michael Kouroubacalis of Topsfield has been passionate about music since he was only two. At the age of four, he told his parents Steve and Janet, that “he was worried that his last name would be mispronounced when he wins his first Grammy”. Now his parents know he wasn’t kidding.
No one will deny that Michael, who recently turned 8, certainly has a good head start in the music biz. For almost two years now, he has been training on the electric guitar and vocals with recognized musician, Billy Garzone, and today has a song list of over 30 pop/rock songs he regularly performs at shows throughout New England.
Currently, Michael is preparing for a performance at the April 17th Boston Celtics Game at the TD BankNorth Garden, where he will perform the National Anthem on the guitar. His resume spans pages of local festival, club, charity, sporting event and concert performances with the most memorable the 2005 KISS108 Merry Matty Christmas Breakfast, where he performed next to national recognized performers. His performance schedule for 2006 includes a main stage performance at the Topsfield Fair, where he will perform alongside his sister, Marisa, who will accompany him on the drums. Additionally, Michael and Marisa have been regular performers with the Lisa Love Experience at the Bay Bridge Restaurant & Nightclub located in Salem, MA and are scheduled to perform there solo on May 13th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. They will also perform at many summer festivals and amusement parks throughout New England.
Michael loves entertaining, and jumps to the stage with a confidence and talent beyond his years, gathering large crowds and encores. For information on his performance schedule for spring and summer contact Lightening Consulting at 978-758-0823 or send an email to Duffey@lighteningconsulting.com.
- Village Reporter

Village Reporter, March 29, 2006
Eight year old to play National Anthem at Celtics Game
Michael Kouroubacalis of Topsfield has been passionate about music since he was only two. At the age of four, he told his parents Steve and Janet, that “he was worried that his last name would be mispronounced when he wins his first Grammy”. Now his parents know he wasn’t kidding.
No one will deny that Michael, who recently turned 8, certainly has a good head start in the music biz. For almost two years now, he has been training on the electric guitar and vocals with recognized musician, Billy Garzone, and today has a song list of over 30 pop/rock songs he regularly performs at shows throughout New England.
Currently, Michael is preparing for a performance at the April 17th Boston Celtics Game at the TD BankNorth Garden, where he will perform the National Anthem on the guitar. His resume spans pages of local festival, club, charity, sporting event and concert performances with the most memorable the 2005 KISS108 Merry Matty Christmas Breakfast, where he performed next to national recognized performers. His performance schedule for 2006 includes a main stage performance at the Topsfield Fair, where he will perform alongside his sister, Marisa, who will accompany him on the drums. Additionally, Michael and Marisa have been regular performers with the Lisa Love Experience at the Bay Bridge Restaurant & Nightclub located in Salem, MA and are scheduled to perform there solo on May 13th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. They will also perform at many summer festivals and amusement parks throughout New England.
Michael loves entertaining, and jumps to the stage with a confidence and talent beyond his years, gathering large crowds and encores. For information on his performance schedule for spring and summer contact Lightening Consulting at 978-758-0823 or send an email to Duffey@lighteningconsulting.com.
- Village Reporter

The Salem News, April 6, 2006
Boy to strum for Celtics
TOPSFIELD - Michael Kouroubacalis plans to pluck the national anthem in front of thousands of Celtics fans later this month in what will be the biggest gig of his life.
Now, consider his life encompasses all of eight years, most of them spent thinking about and listening to music, and those close to him say this is no ordinary child.
For the past two years, the Topsfield boy has been learning to play the electric guitar with the aim of someday winning a Grammy, along with the corresponding thought that his last name might be butchered by the awards-show announcer. (Note to future presenters: It’s pronounced ko-RU-ba-kalis.)
Michael, a devout Avril Lavigne fan, learned about songwriting inspiration early on. “I noticed that (Lavigne) wrote a song when something bad happened to her,” Michael said. “I wanted to try and write a song, but I had nothing to do. So something bad happened to me, and aha! I’m going to write about it!” That “bad” thing was not a breakup, but a bump on the head in the pool.
The precocious second-grader at Shore Country Day School of Beverly is practicing hard for his April 17 appearance at the TD Banknorth Garden, where he will open before the Celtics’ match with the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I’m excited, “he said, and when asked if he was practicing “The Star-Spangled Banner” replied, “A lot, a lot”. In addition to his solo act, Michael performs with his 9-year old sister, Marisa, who backs him on drums and sings harmony. She started playing drums nine months ago.
For the Kouroubacalis kids, going to a live concert is more than just a weekday treat-it’s a form of homework, a way to see what other performers do on stage. Michael has 20 performances under his belt at a number of festivals, clubs and other venues, with a main stage turn scheduled for the Topsfield Fair this fall and a headline performance at the Bay Bridge Restaurant & Night Club in Salem May 13.
Michael’s repertoire of 30 songs, including covers of the Beatles, Tom Petty, and Buddy Holly, makes him appeal to older audiences. And he has already won over those who have worked with him. He’s playing here a lot,” said Bay Bridge owner John Colantoni. “And when he’s big and an international superstar, he can come back and play for nothing.” Michael has played five times at Bay Bridge through his connection with a local rock band, The Lisa Love Experience, a regular at the nightclub. Michael’s guitar teacher is the band’s guitarist, Billy Garzone.
"I definitely think he’s going to be a star,” said Garzone, who has worked with Michael for two years, teaching him to play from scratch. A key to Michael’s success so far has been support from his parents, including his father, Steve Kouroubacalis, who took lessons alongside him to help reinforce his son’s practice. “I think he was just born right, Garzone said. “He was born with a passion and talent with music, and to have his parents support him...some people are born for greatness.”
The youth even has a manager. “He’s amazing on the guitar. That is why the Celtics brought him in,” said Patricia Duffey of Boxford, who is marketing Michael through her company, Lightening Consulting. Because he is so young, she is trying not to overbook him.
Duffey and Garzone are producing a DVD demo they hope could propel him to an even wider audience, a turn on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno or “The Late Show” with David Letterman.
- The Salem News

The Salem News, April 6, 2006
Boy to strum for Celtics
TOPSFIELD - Michael Kouroubacalis plans to pluck the national anthem in front of thousands of Celtics fans later this month in what will be the biggest gig of his life.
Now, consider his life encompasses all of eight years, most of them spent thinking about and listening to music, and those close to him say this is no ordinary child.
For the past two years, the Topsfield boy has been learning to play the electric guitar with the aim of someday winning a Grammy, along with the corresponding thought that his last name might be butchered by the awards-show announcer. (Note to future presenters: It’s pronounced ko-RU-ba-kalis.)
Michael, a devout Avril Lavigne fan, learned about songwriting inspiration early on. “I noticed that (Lavigne) wrote a song when something bad happened to her,” Michael said. “I wanted to try and write a song, but I had nothing to do. So something bad happened to me, and aha! I’m going to write about it!” That “bad” thing was not a breakup, but a bump on the head in the pool.
The precocious second-grader at Shore Country Day School of Beverly is practicing hard for his April 17 appearance at the TD Banknorth Garden, where he will open before the Celtics’ match with the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I’m excited, “he said, and when asked if he was practicing “The Star-Spangled Banner” replied, “A lot, a lot”. In addition to his solo act, Michael performs with his 9-year old sister, Marisa, who backs him on drums and sings harmony. She started playing drums nine months ago.
For the Kouroubacalis kids, going to a live concert is more than just a weekday treat-it’s a form of homework, a way to see what other performers do on stage. Michael has 20 performances under his belt at a number of festivals, clubs and other venues, with a main stage turn scheduled for the Topsfield Fair this fall and a headline performance at the Bay Bridge Restaurant & Night Club in Salem May 13.
Michael’s repertoire of 30 songs, including covers of the Beatles, Tom Petty, and Buddy Holly, makes him appeal to older audiences. And he has already won over those who have worked with him. He’s playing here a lot,” said Bay Bridge owner John Colantoni. “And when he’s big and an international superstar, he can come back and play for nothing.” Michael has played five times at Bay Bridge through his connection with a local rock band, The Lisa Love Experience, a regular at the nightclub. Michael’s guitar teacher is the band’s guitarist, Billy Garzone.
"I definitely think he’s going to be a star,” said Garzone, who has worked with Michael for two years, teaching him to play from scratch. A key to Michael’s success so far has been support from his parents, including his father, Steve Kouroubacalis, who took lessons alongside him to help reinforce his son’s practice. “I think he was just born right, Garzone said. “He was born with a passion and talent with music, and to have his parents support him...some people are born for greatness.”
The youth even has a manager. “He’s amazing on the guitar. That is why the Celtics brought him in,” said Patricia Duffey of Boxford, who is marketing Michael through her company, Lightening Consulting. Because he is so young, she is trying not to overbook him.
Duffey and Garzone are producing a DVD demo they hope could propel him to an even wider audience, a turn on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno or “The Late Show” with David Letterman.
- The Salem News