biography
Enthusiasm is contagious and that’s why songwriters with an obvious love for the craft can’t help but attract an audience. Portland, Oregon based songwriter Michael Mirlas has earned a broad following from coast to coast through his enthusiasm and raw talent for expressing life’s poignancy through his music.
Mirlas moved to New York from the Ukraine at five years old and started writing music in his early 20s. While his style is Contemporary Folk, he is strongly influenced by many genres. His passion for songwriting always brewed deep inside as he searched for an outlet that would enable him to share his observations about people and life. “I’m drawn to people’s and life’s nuances,” says Mirlas. I am interested in people’s inner lives and processes to reach their full potential.”
Mirlas earned a Bachelor’s degree in poetry from Baruch College and a Master’s degree in philosophy from Brooklyn College. At age 22, he decided to take a beginning guitar class and soon realized that his true passion was songwriting. After fully committing to the craft, Mirlas went on to record several collections of demos and perform at such legendary New York clubs as The Bitter End and CBGBs Gallery. He also toured Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Northeast.
Currently, Mirlas is releasing his new album Soul Riot, created in collaboration with Producer Sam Densmore. It features a collection of powerful folk and pop influenced tracks including “Waiting for the Day,” a song about taking responsibility for your own feelings, and “Awesome Breakup Day,” a song about letting go, being with yourself, and truly getting to know yourself. Both songs have a central theme of “change,” accepting it, and surrendering to it.
Michael holds a strong connection with the Gay community and creates songs that are real and personal. “I’m a folk writer, and I write about what I experience and need to work through,” he says. “I am interested in giving all people, especially Gay people, a chance to hear themselves represented in popular music. It gives us value. And that message is universal.”
music
“Soul Riot” by Michael Mirlas is available on iTunes or Hardcopy (with artwork and booklet).
A $2 Donation will be made to the IT GETS BETTER Project, supporting bullied and marginalized kids, from each Hardcopy sold. Thank you for purchasing the record and for your donation.
Soul Riot, written in collaboration with Producer Sam Densmore, brings the listener on an honest and soul-piercing journey through life itself. And while the disc masterfully blends Mirlas’ signature sound with a taste of something different on each track, Soul Riot is ultimately filled with powerful songwriting. It seems that through Mirlas, we learn to accept ourselves and cope with the struggles we all face. Change is inevitable, but we have the option of allowing it to transport us to a better, more enlightened place. And here, Mirlas gives us permission to feel and live life to the fullest. The 11 track release features a varied collection of powerful Folk and Pop songs such as highlight tracks “Waiting for the Day,” a song about taking responsibility for your own feelings, and “Awesome Breakup Day,” a song about letting go, being withyourself, and truly getting to know yourself. “Let Love Sail” and “The Mural” incorporate Mirlas’ Ukrainian heritage with the use of mandolins and gypsy-style strumming. “I Found You In” brings forth a rock style with over-laying guitars and over-lapping vocals, ending in a chorus round with Mirlas bellowing “I want you!” “Puppy Dog Eyes” is a modern-day American love song, with allusions to bondage and canine characteristics assigned to the lovers. “It Sure As Hell Is” beats with a thumping bass drum in a less than typical time signature and sets a scene made for the stage. Compromising does not seem like a formidable act in Mirlas’ lyrics or life. The album ends with “Happiness Loves Company.” With a guitar riff reminiscent of The Police’s “Roxanne” and a reverse sitar instrumental section in the middle, Mirlas proclaims “My road is mapped, my map is clear, my vision’s focused and sincere!”