Michi
Jersey City, New Jersey, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF
Music
Press
"Artists like Michiko Egger are rare. Perhaps once in a long while- a decade, a generation, something like that...Her album, “Where Your Heart is” proposes a question, but after a few tours with this album, you know that query is directed right at you. Egger leaves her heart on her guitar strings in what could be one of the best albums to come from an independent artist in years...." - ReviewFix
..."A small town girl with big dreams, “Michi” isn’t your typical 18 year-old.... Whereas many people nowadays get their 15 minutes of fame from televised talent competitions, Egger works her own way through perseverance. No “American Idol” wanted. No “X-Factor” or “The Voice” needed....' - ReviewFix
"Her voice is bright and delicate, radiating overall happiness as it gently lifts and soars; exuding a youthful innocence and charm along the way." -Jim Price, Pennsylvania Musician - PaMusician
The Japanese word michiko is best defined in English as a combination of both beauty and intelligence, the perfect description for Michiko "Michi" Egger's music. - Here In Aid
As a singer/songwriter, Michi savvy for her age; her vocal and lyrical contributions to “Shivers” are great, but she also knows when to take a step back from the mic and let the music do the work. - Ranting About Music
'Writing, singing and young, Michi is a triple threat, "Pop Star" is written all over Michi.' - Joe Tell, Joe Tell's Buffalo Music Blog
"....Michi Egger is our area phenon.....Showing age and wisdom and a great technical guitar style,Michi will go far in our music business...She will be missed when she goes away and I hope she returns to our area to make music her life." - Pennsylvania Musicians Magazine
"Michiko Egger is an exceptionally talented songwriter. Her songs speak of love, heart-break, friends and relationships that you would think that she’s lived a lifetime of experiences. So you’ll be surprised when I tell you she’s only 18. Her songwriting and guitar style can be compared to an early John Mayer. Her vocals are so sweet and filled with yearning that I immediately was taken back to an early time in my life. The resonance in her voice reminds me of a young Harriet Wheeler from The Sundays that I caught myself reminiscing of early days when my wife and I were first married and on our own. Michi, I thank you for that trip down memory lane..." - Clayton Lewis, The Procrastinating Musician
"The first release off the young songstress’ debut album titled “Mulberry Breakdown” is a heartbreakingly buoyant track showcasing Michi’s penchant hook driven melodies that fit seamlessly with her unique vocal tone. “Mulberry Breakdown” is a perfect example of the many talents Michi has to offer, and sure to make her a favorite upon the first listen." - Smokin' Charlie Brown
"...Michi defines herself in the power behind her words, heartfelt and full of crystal clear imagery that pulls the listener in and keeps them captivated through every rushing chorus until the final chord is played..." - Joe Tell, Joe Tell's Buffalo Music Blog
MICHI – CASTLES IN THE AIR (Candygirl Music) Now calling the Big Apple her home base, Williamsport area native Michiko “Michi” Egger continues to hone and mature her songwriting craft on her latest CD, Castles in the Air. Loosely a theme album, Michi explores the dynamics, ups and downs of a first-love relationship that never reached its full potential over the disc’s 13 tracks. With her uniquely dynamic singing style, she shares her feelings, observations, celebrations and defeats over a colorful musical backdrop that blends flavors of rock, pop, R&B, folk and country. Helping her bring the songs to fruition are her father, Todd Egger, on drums; bassist Tim Breon; and (former) Badlees multi-instrumentalist Bret Alexander, who plays keys and guitar; plus recorded, mixed and mastered the album at his Saturation Acres studio. The album begins with the disillusionment following the breakup on “Too Close,” as Michi licks her wounds and diagnoses what went wrong, and she lashes out at an apathetic friend on “Dear Best Friend.” Times are happier on the playfully upbeat “Take Me Home,” where she coos the bliss and anticipation of a budding relationship, the gentle and hopeful “Everything,” and the soulful “Stay,” where she extends her heart. What could have been is the thrust of the reflective “Nine Years” and the driving, harder-edged “You Could Be the One.” Michi acknowledges stormy relationship conditions on “Hurricane,” recalls the moment where it came crashing down on “Come Monday,” and moves forward to bigger and better pastures on the country-flavored “Tumbleweed.” Conflicted emotions of regret and spite are dealt with on “Worlds Away” and the punchy “Standstill,” before Michi closes the disc with the happier romantic sentiment of her voice and acoustic guitar ode “Endlessly.” Through the songs, Michi weaves a cohesive theme of innocence, love and love lost; with her voice evoking the appropriate emotions of glee, hope, worry, despair and anger. The arrangements support the songs and their moods, giving appropriate excitement and tranquility where needed. Castles in the Air shows Michi moving forward with her artistry, as her gift of songcraft enables her to weave a collective story, share happiness and sorrow, and practice a little self-therapy. (The CD can be purchased from Michi’s website, www.musicbymichi.com.) - Jim Price-Homegrown Rocker
Discography
Albums
"Michi" - 2010
"Fate" - 2010
"Where Your Heart Is" - 2011
"Castles in the Air" - 2014
Singles
"Standstill" - 2012
Photos
Bio
Michiko "Michi" Eggers musical journey began as a 5 year old when her father, a drummer, sat her behind the drum set. She also began tap dancing lessons, which she refers to as, "drumming with your feet." The following year, she added piano to her repertoire. At the age of seven, she wanted to study the violin but, when a suitable instructor couldnt be found, she decided to study guitar instead. By her 9th birthday, she also took up the clarinet in a high school concert band, and began studying voice. In 6th grade, she played in her first band with her dad and two high school students. "We played a lot of Green Day", she laughs. As an eleven year old, Michi began working professionally, playing guitar in the orchestra pit for various musicals, as well as playing in a local big band, which was comprised of mostly school band directors. In the summer of 2009, she attended the Guitar Sessions program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she was selected to audition for a scholarship to the prestigious school. That was before anyone realized that she was too young to qualify. She has also studied with one of the nation's top jazz guitarists, Sheryl Bailey, at The Collective in New York City.
Michi has worked as a guitarist for country singer, Robin McNett Band, as well as, for blues singer Ann Kerstetter. Michi rarely missed playing jazz guitar every week with Grammy Award-winning drummer, Steve Mitchell, and his band at the Bullfrog Brewerys Sunday Brunch Jazz Workshop. She also had a weekly stint as part of a jazz guitar duo with grammy nominee, Mark Tomeo for 2 years. Being versatile and a strong chart reader allows her to feel comfortable in any musical situation. She has worked with many seasoned musicians in the Pittsburgh, Williamsport, Scranton, Harrisburg areas, including: Jeremy Hummel (Breaking Benjamin), Melissa Reeves, Freddie Stover, JT Thompson, the Blind Chitlin Kahunas, Bret Alexander (The Badlees) Nyke Van Wyk (The Badlees), and Paul Smith (The Badlees) and artists and musicians in the Manhattan area such as Dan McLoughlin (The Push Stars), Mason Ingram (The Last Royals), Matt Basile, and singer/songwriter Tucker Caploe.
Michi was invited by Dick Boak of Martin & Co. to become a member of Martin & Co.s Artist Relations Program, and is the proud owner of their new Performing Artist Series model OMCPA3. She was also invited to play alongside Martin artist & clinician, Craig Thatcher, at a Martin clinic in Williamsport. Michi has opened for artists such as The Badlees and guitarist Oz Noy. In the summer of 2013, she was invited to audition as a vocalist/guitarist for Kyle Riabko's upcoming off-broadway production, "What's It All About. Michi was selected to showcase at the 2013 and 2014 Millennium Music Conference. She has also appeared on WVIA-TVs Homegrown Music Concert series in 2012 and 2013. In November of 2013, Michi was nominated for two Hoboken Music Awards; Outstanding Female Solo & Outstanding Video (for her music video "Standstill").
More recently, Michi has relocated to the city, and has been performing in and around NYC, in places such as The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, The Living Room, Pianos, and the Canal Room. She is a BMI artist with her own publishing company, Candygirl Music. Having been a guitar instructor since the 8th grade, she is now a guitar/piano/voice/songwriting instructor at Garden Street School of the Performing Arts in Hoboken, NJ,.
As a songwriter, Michis first composition was about her pet hamster, at the age of 9. In August of 2010, she released her first CD, entitled, "Michi", which consists of 15 original songs. Her sound is a combination of jazz, blues, rock, country, and folk. She is influenced by many artists, in many genres. Her style is very much her own. The following October, Michi released her third CD, Where Your Heart Is, which was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Bret Alexander of The Badlees. More recently, she has released her fourth studio album, "Castles in the Air". Michi's music is currently being played on radio stations in Pennsylvania.
Band Members
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