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Musician Mikey de Lara has been playing in bands since he was 12. He is now branching out to a solo career.
The singer/songwriter is influenced by such bands as The Beatles, U2 and Jeff Buckley. de Lara’s guitar gives a soft background to his melodic voice. “Walking In,” from his 2007 EP, “Songs For Lulu” showcases his blend of soft, simplistic chords with a catchy melody.
de Lara moved from his hometown of Baltimore, Md. to Los Angeles in 1997 in pursuit of a musical career. de Lara is currently on a west-coast music tour. He played at Cozmic Pizza on Sept. 24th.
de Lara’s concerts add to the overall mood of his music and his stage is set with memories from his childhood. Two ragged stuffed-animals sit on a stool in front of a child-like painting. “I made the stool in shop class,” de Lara told the audience. [M.dL.] interacts with the audience in between shongs as if having a conversation, discussing topics from movie recommendations to anecdotes from living on the road.
Though de Lara’s songs are primarily about relationships, “I’m moving away from heartbreak and more towards what I hope to experience,” [M.dL] said.
Though [M.dL] may quote other artists as his influence, his passion for music is self-inspired. “I’m trying to remember the first time I ever wanted to do this… Honestly, it’s always been there,” [M.dL] said. “I just love doing this and I’m just going to do it as long as I can.”
When [M.dL] returns from his tour, he’ll be recording songs from “Songs For Lulu” with a full band. The full album will be available on iTunes. Tracks are currently available to download for free at www.mikeydelara.com.
“The only thing I try to do is convey that I’m being real,” de Lara said of his music. “I am who I am, for better or for worse.”
- Nicole Perkins, Arts Editor - The Torch, Volume XLII, Number 1, 9/28/2007
Discography
Before Australia (With The Last Show) - 2011
Songs For Lulu [LP] - 2008
- Reached #30 on the FMQB AC chart
- CMJ charted on over 50+ college radio stations
Sleeper City [EP] - 2006
twoforjunior [EP] - 2002
Self-Titled [EP] - 1999
Joe's Myth [EP] - 1996
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Bio
Intimate, vulnerable, and performing with an emotional and energetic potency that truly stands out, Mikey de Lara and his backing band, The Last Show, perform and write a wide variety of songs that conjure up images and feelings that listeners percieve on a visceral level. His upcoming record, "Before Australia," expands on those ideas with a more acoustic line up (upright bass, violins, and hand percussion have been added) than his previous records, "Songs For Lulu," his 2008 release, reached #30 on the FMQB AAA chart and also charted on the CMJ charts on over 40 college stations.
Mikey moved to LA in 1997 to pursue his career in music. After more than a decade of playing in several bands and following conventional wisdom, he had an epiphany sitting on the side of a river in rural Oregon regarding his life and his music: Despite what anyone says, there is no defined path to success. If he were to find happiness in life, he must follow his instincts no matter what anyone or anything says. This led to the emotional and atmospheric sound of "Before Australia" and his most recent career choice.
Mikey chose to sell all his personal belongings that don't fit into his van and travel from town to town, like an old troubadour, and follow his desire to play music for those who appreciate it and to get out of the music industry rut. Currently, you might be able to find Mikey somewhere in between Seattle, WA, Baltimore, MD, and LA, CA. Truly an experience, Mikey's live shows and songs leave people with the impression that this is an artist that will linger in their hearts and memories for a long time.
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