1 de octubre, 2009 - WENATCHEE - Cantar delante del público no le da vergüenza a Michael Carlos, pero entrar en una conversación, sí. “Mi acento de gringo me deja algo apartado”, explica el 100 por ciento latino, un hombre a quien le cuesta hablar el idioma que debería haber sido el suyo.
Michael fue adoptado hace 38 años en Washington DC, por una pareja anglosajona de clase media y creció en el valle de San Joaquín, California con el apellido Polivka. “Fue muy difícil tener una de las pocas caras morenas en la escuela de mi barrio”, comparte Miguel, “Yo siempre parecía más bien como hijo de una familia trabajadora de campo”. Una y otra vez tenía que defender su derecho de vivir en el mundo de su familia adoptiva, recuerda Michael, “Pero no fue por racismo, sino por la inocencia de la gente”, opina.
Michael sabe muy poco de sus padres naturales, solamente que su madre era católica y que no estaba casada. Es posible que su familia tuviera vínculos con España o bien con Perú, pero nunca estará seguro de ello. Confiesa que se siente a veces como un hombre sin tierra y que quiere hacer algo al respecto.
August 25, 2008
Michael Carlos in the Tri-City Herald
Michael Carlos will be headlining the Tumbleweed Festival this year, and was recently written up in the Tri-City Herald:
"Michael Carlos weaves his music savvy through several instruments -- he plays piano, guitar, harmonica and accordion, as well as sings. Combine that mix with his seven-piece band, and you have a sound that will rock and soothe your soul at the same time."
Exerpt from the Wenatchee World artical, "Acoustic festival is all about the rhythm":
"Many of the people who attended said they appreciated the performance of Michael Carlos. Tom Martin, 70, of Entiat, said he didn't expect to enjoy the Latin-influenced sound of Carlos, who released his CD "Damage and Remainder" last week."If I know he's playing at Caffé Mela in Wenatchee, you can bet I'm going to go see him," Martin said."
Exerpt from the Cashmere Valley Record artical "Another successful Acoustic Music Festival":
"The 37-year-old Carlos, known for his eclectic, mix-and-match tunes, endured the punishing midday heat, which wreaked havoc on his guitar strings, in a black t-shirt. But other than the color of his shirt and a cumbia dedicated to Reese, there was little to suggest he was a man in mourning.
There was however, plenty to suggest that this was a man who survived some hard times. His lyrics spoke time and again of being out of control, of having more than one way to fall, and of wearing adversity well.
True to Carlos' musical trademark, he mixed the chaotic lyrics with happy songs and goofy banter with the audience during his one-hour set."
July 29, 2008
Wenatchee World Reviews "Damage and Remainder"
"Carlos sets a new path on second album
Posted by Abby Holmes on July 29th, 2008
Michael Carlos is not one to rush. Many of the songs on his sophomore album, “Damage and Remainder,” were conceived years ago.
Carlos strives to accomplish a few things on this new record: make a connection to his Latin roots, address some recent personal tragedies, and establish a more hard rocking sound than what can be heard on his 2004 album, “Yesterday’s Icons.”
His influences are apparent in some of his songs — Carlos channels Los Lobos and Tom Waits, among others (he even throws in a riff from The Knack’s “My Sharona” near the end of opening track “Out of Control”), through a variety of musical styles. He experiments with many different sounds on the album (especially where percussion is concerned), leaving it fresh and surprising at every turn..."
To read the rest of the review in the Wenatchee World, click here To read more Michael Carlos reviews, click here
"Damage and Remainder" is now available through a variety of purchasing options:
1. Come and buy it at any live MC show!
2. Buy it directly from Michael using a secure connection from google checkout
$9.99 + $1.50 shipping and handling
3. Purchase MP3s through DigStation 4. Purchase MP3s through SnoCap
5. Purchase MP3s on ITunes (coming soon)
6. Purchase album through CDBaby.com
Planned release date is Tuesday July 29, for the hard copy, though the digital distribution outlets (iTunes, etc.) are not yet confirmed, due to various delays in production. To whet your appetites in the meantime, here's the final list of the 11 songs that made the cut, in the order they appear on the record:
Out of Control
Winning Streak
More Than One Way Down
Jenny's Cumbia
Playerita
She Doesn't Like Me Much
Love's Martyr's Brigade
Isabel
Gone Too Far
Wear It Well
The Remainder
June 6, 2008
Production Wraps on “Damage and Remainder”
The new Michael Carlos album, “Damage and Remainder” was finished this week. Writing, recording and mixing spanned the last several months and now the record is headed for post-production/manufacturing. Expected release date is July 29. Stay tuned for more updates and promotional information as the release date nears!
Well, the fact that you haven't seen an update in nearly
two months speaks to the fact that I/we have been busy getting
the next Michael Carlos record together…
The muse was good to me during the holiday season and a
brief hiatus from the performance calendar didn't hurt either.
I got a lot of writing done, some songs that will make the
record and some that will not. Because Seabeck Records would
like to make this a late spring release, the pace has been
accelerated and it has been helpful to be able to bring
75-80% of a song in to the guys in the band and help work
out arrangements. I'm sure this is what Springsteen does
too, but you don't see a lot of songwriting credits for
E Street Band members. Not true of the MCB, it will by Words
by Michael Carlos, Music by Michael Carlos, et al., depending
on the song. Additional compositional credit is due to "Yesterday's
Icons" producer Ethan Sellers who is enjoying an expanded
role as contributor (like the 5th Beatle or some such cliché)
in addition to co-production.
We took some more songs to Elliott Bay Recording Co. in
Seattle on Jan. 21 (see photos on Myspace)
and did three more right here in Wenatchee at Resonant Audio
(owned by Eric Frank and Darren Reynolds) over the last
week.
Until the lead guitar/instrumentalist position left by Darik
Peet has been filled, we will be using a variety of options
to finish the tracking as soon as possible. Chicago guitarist
Grant
Tye, who did almost all the lead guitar work on "Yesterday's
Icons," will lend his talents to a couple of songs,
and former MCB guitarist Brandon Woody, who relocated to
Portland in the fall, will also be involved.
Meanwhile… Check
out the demo track on myspace!!! One of the new tracks
will be posted each week as availability allows. Two caveats:
1) The "Download" setting will be turned off on
these – now, I know that you can get around this and
make copies, but such tactics will be strictly frowned upon…
2) Even if you DO make copies, these are not the final,
final mixes that will go on the official CD, so it won't
be as good as the real thing anyway… Adding to your
page is ok... Enjoy the first track, "Out of Control."
February
16, 2008
MC to sing national anthem at GWREC ceremony -- date announced
Michael Carlos will be singing the national anthem at the
"Topping Off" ceremony for the new Greater Wenatchee
Regional Events center. The event will take place on Wednesday
March 5 at 4:00 pm. More information about the GWREC can
be found at http://www.gwreventscenter.com/.
Dear Friends and Supporters:
It is with mixed feelings that we report that Darik Peet
will be leaving the MCB after tonight's show at Mission
Ridge Ski Area.
Darik's style and showmanship have been an exciting part
of the MCB for the past year and his energy largely contributed
to the successful return of the band in 2007.
It is unclear at this point whether or how Darik's departure
might affect the production schedule of the new Michael
Carlos album, but we will keep you posted.
Meanwhile, if you are in North Central Washington tonight,
head up the hill to the lodge at Mission Ridge Ski Area
as we enjoy one last jam with Darik.
…is yet another option to hear a completely acoustic
show. The acoustic y solo format was started this summer
as an alternative to the regular rock band shows. It showcased
Spanish music and the more contemporary acoustic folk style
that is characteristic of a lot of the older material. Gradually,
however, musicians have been added, including some of the
regular MC Band members. The result is a new group, playing
a roughly 50-50 mix of Spanish and American folk –
the "American" material coming from the acoustic-based
Michael Carlos originals and one or two covers (well, Leonard
Cohen is Canadian), having only a little bit of overlap
with the rock shows.
So even though this is supposed to be a hiatus, there's
a date in Chelan for Grupo Folklórico this Friday,
Dec. 7, 8pm. Special guest Jan Jaffe is the opening act.
Seems to be impossible to keep the Michael Carlos calendar
completely clear for the benefit of studio work… 2008
dates are starting to roll out – stay tuned…
Michael Carlos Grupo Folklórico
Michael Carlos: Vocal, Guitar, Piano, Vihuela, Harmonica,
Accordion
Angel Saavedra: Vocals, Guitar
Eric Frank: Bass
Vern Smith: Percussion
Jessica Vandiver: Percussion, Violin
Cathie Lau: Cello
Michael Carlos returns to Caffe Mela for his first official
performance there in nearly a year to finish his 2007 season
with two shows. This first show is an acoustic performance
with a focus on traditional Spanish/Latin American music,
new and previously released acoustic folk, piano ballads,
and a few jams with guest musicians. Michael brings the
full rock band to Caffe Mela on November 9.
Michael Carlos heads out on a short tour called “Acoustic
y Solo” in late June. The tour will consist of Michael
Carlos in a solo acoustic format which he has only done
occasionally since 2004 when his first album “Yesterday’s
Icons” was being mixed. The shows will feature much
of the acoustic singer-songwriter material that formed the
basis for “Yesterday’s Icons,” new songs,
and will especially highlight traditional Spanish, Mexican,
and other Latin American music. Michael began preparing
for the tour with a performance at Pegasus Coffeehouse on
Bainbridge Island at the end of May and will play a second
“warm-up” set in Chicago this week supporting
a show headlined by “Yesterday’s Icons”
producer Ethan Sellers. The tour officially kicks off on
Saturday June 23, 8:00 pm at Founder’s Day in Cashmere
and includes dates in Seattle, Bellingham, and Marysville
where it wraps up on July 1.
May
17, 2007
The Return Of Michael Carlos Michael Carlos returns to the Seattle area with
the full rock band for two shows this late May! Some new
personnel, some new material to share, plus another cover
song in Spanish! Hope to see you there!
Sunday May 20, University District Street Fair, 47th Ave
& Brooklyn, 3:00 PM
Friday, May 25, Northwest Folklife Festival, Fisher Lawn
Stage, 1:30 PM
Michael Carlos was involved in a serious automobile accident
on November 3, 2006. He was driving his pickup over Blewett
Pass between Wenatchee and Seattle when he hit some black
ice and skidded into an oncoming semi- truck at full speed.
Jennifer Reese, his girlfriend of several months was in
the passenger seat and was killed instantly. Carlos suffered
several fractured bones including the 2nd cervical vertebra
which is usually fatal or results in complete paralysis.
He was fortunate enough to survive and retain full mobility
in all extremities. He also suffered serious head injury
but he has regained nearly full brain function as well.
A long rehabilitation process is ongoing for all of his
physical and emotional trauma
return to top April 21, 2005
Rikk’s Revues calls Yesterday’s Icons “bare-boned
truth.”
The online entertainment and review website Rikk’s
Revues has published a review of Yesterday’s Icons.
Staff writer Teresa Liao describes the album, “This
political and cultural commentary is done with smart sardonic
humor. The ease with which Michael Carlos portrays Americana
is refreshing. There is no biting edge or anger that so
often comes with music despondent with the world. Instead,
Carlos takes the straightforward approach. He sings about
life as he sees it, and his picture is clear.” The
entire text of the review can be found here
(link will open in a new window.)
Rikk’s Revues founder Rikk Matheson worked in radio
for a long period of his life including work as a morning
DJ, afternoon DJ, morning side kick, music director, program
manager, and promotions director. He has written music revues
for different magazines, newspapers, and publications and
managed a few individuals and bands that “shall remain
nameless.” See other reviews by Rikk and his staff
at www.rikksrevues.com.
return to top April
15, 2005 Michael Carlos Band at Leavenworth Coffeehouse
4/22/05
Michael Carlos and his band will appear at the Leavenworth
Community Coffeehouse on Friday April 22. The band has been
touring the state in support of Carlos' debut CD, "Yesterday's
Icons" which has received favorable critical reviews
from regional publications such as the Victory Review inTacoma.
The show in Leavenworth on Friday will feature new personnel,
new arrangements of the "Yesterday's Icons" material,
and some new material that Michael Carlos and the band have
been developing during the tour. Joining bassist Eric Frank
and drummer/percussionist Bradly Scott will be backing vocalist
David MacAuslan from Seattle, who sings with many singer/songwriter
acts there, and Becky Peterson, who plays string bass with
the Wenatchee Symphony and is an accomplished jazz vocalist.
Carlos will be returning from two solo shows in his previous
home of Chicago the weekend of April 16- 17. "I am
really looking forward to the show in Leavenworth,"
he says. "The Leavenworth Community Coffeehouse has
been extremely supportive of me, and we hope to return the
favor by attracting some new patrons including some folks
who have yet to hear the 'Yesterday's Icons' material"
The band will also make a live appearance on KOHO 101.1
FM, where the CD has received some airplay, on Friday morning
just after 10am. The broadcast will be available on the
web at www.kohoradio.com.
April
8, 2005
Second solo acoustic show added in Chicago
Michael will make a “Special Guest” appearance
at the Third World Café in Chicago’s Hyde Park
neighborhood. Ethan Sellers (www.ethansellers.com)
is the featured performer and Michael will play a short
set between Ethan’s sets. Ethan will be joined by
Ethan Sellers Band members Becky Rule (violin, vocals) and
Nathan Britsch (bass) for an enhanced acoustic set. The
entire performance runs from 5:00-7:00 pm on Saturday April
16. Third World Café is located at 1301 E. 53rd St.,
Chicago. Ethan will also appear at Michael’s solo
set at Metropolis Coffee Co. on Sunday April 17 (see Calendar).
April
7, 2005
Michael Carlos sits in with Seattle’s Deb Seymour
this weekend in E. Wenatchee
Deb Seymour (www.debseymour.com)
will appear at the Cascade Coffeehouse in East Wenatchee
this Saturday night, held at the Cascade Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship, 1550 Sunset Hwy., East Wenatchee. Deb brings
her “demented wit, haunting blues and moving ballads”
act to the east side of the Cascades for a mostly solo show.
Michael will sit in on piano and accordion for part of the
set. Show time is at 7:00 pm.
April 1, 2005
Michael Carlos Band Headlining at Apple Blossom Festival
in Wenatchee
The Michael Carlos Band will be the evening (7:30 pm) headliner
on the May 3 list of performers at the Apple Blossom Festival
(www.appleblossom.org)
in Wenatchee WA. Unicel Entertainment in Memorial Park hosts
a wide variety of live entertainment all 11 days of the
festival. Each day has a specific theme ranging from Jazz
to Country to World Music to Variety. Headliners at this
year’s festival include regionally and nationally
acclaimed acts such as the Kevin Jones Band (www.kevinjones.net)
(April 30) and the Alice Stuart Band (www.alicestuart.com)
(April 29). The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
is the oldest major festival in the State of Washington.
The festival draws thousands of visitors from around the
world during the last weekend in April and the first weekend
in May. The festival events include live entertainment,
a food fair, and Arts and Crafts Fair, a Grand Parade, and
a carnival. return to top
March 9, 2005
MCB Apple Blossom Performance. The Michael Carlos Band’s
Apple Blossom Festival performance is now tentatively scheduled
for 7:30-8:30 pm on Tuesday May 3, 2005.
March 9, 2005 – MCB drummer Bradly Scott to play with
Littlehand this Friday night. Bradly Scott will play with
Paul Mennino of Omak and John Weeks of Twisp this Friday
the 11th at the Leavenworth Community Coffeehouse (www.leavenworthcoffeehouse.com).
Mennino is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who writes
thoughtful introspective tunes with a folk-meets-classical
approach. John Weeks plays violin, viola and mandolin and
is worth several times the price of admission all by himself.
return to top
March 7, 2005 From the Seabeck Records Press Release…
MICHAEL CARLOS BAND A “HIT” AT KING ST. COFFEEHOUSE
The King St. Coffeehouse series at St. Luke’s Episcopal
Church in Wenatchee hosted the Michael Carlos Band last
Friday. The band is touring in support of the debut Michael
Carlos CD, “Yesterday’s Icons,” and played
to a full house including many of their local supporters.
“The Michael Carlos Band hit one out of the park at
King St.,” said coffeehouse organizer John Lafer. “The
band’s style and grace was appreciated and enjoyed
by our audience.” The band, in its first local show
since November, acknowledged the enthusiastic reception.
“The audience was engaged and very gracious,”
said drummer Bradly Scott. “I was surprised by the
diversity in the audience in terms of age groups who expressed
their appreciation. A high-school aged girl asked to buy
my CD, and then I turned around and sold one to a man in
his late 60s,” said Carlos. The mission of the King
St. Coffeehouse is to provide an area for all ages to enjoy
live music in a smoke and alcohol free environment. The
music lineup specializes in performers from the central
Washington region. St. Luke’s congregation members
provide refreshments for a small donation and the church
opens its doors to the community and the musicians. The
coffeehouse is held the first Friday of every month.
