Blog | Rob Michael: Guitarist

My upcoming gig with the”Secret Society of Internet Jazzers”

There are several different reasons that I employ the various Social Media tools available to us from around the web. One is connect with people who may never have heard my music and I can reach out to them, and them to me, and we connect. Another might be to keep a dialog open with industry people: Product manufacturers, other blogs etc. Yet another is to reach out to discover and get to know other musicians.

I’ve had the good fortune to get to know a good many wonderful artists all over the planet and this Tues, Sept. 7th, I’ll be celebrating with five people I’m lucky enough to count as friends.

The”Secret Society of Internet Jazzers” (#SSIJ) is a collaborative gig with musos from up and down the Pacific Northwest at the Beta Lounge in Dowtown Berkeley, CA.

This show features myself and my first-call drummer Joe Shotwell from the Atmos Trio, dual trumpet duties from Seattle’s Jason Parker and Seaside CA’s Dave Hoffman, Santa Cruz bassist Steve Uccello and Oakland’s Darin Wilson on piano.

This particular group has never played together before so this provides a unique opportunity to witness/ participate in a Realtime Jazz experience. Dig it!

Not in the area? You can still join us! This concert will be LIVE VIDEO STREAMED.

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Video Song Documentary: “Takin’ It to the Streets”

by Rob Michael

Here is my newest video offering: A cover of the classic Doobie Brothers‘ “Takin’ it to the Streets.”

What I’ve tried to do here is provide some documentary content: To really show what it is you’re hearing.

The audio and video for this song were tracked at the same time. What you hear and what you see are one-in-the-same. When you see a computer recording something in the background, you can bet that that is the audio you’re hearing in the recording. There is even some out-take footage.

This is one more way I’m inviting you into the making music process. I shot this on an inexpensive (~$100) consumer HD video camera and edited it in Final Cut Express HD. It was surprisingly easy.

As always, this song is available to you for streaming or downloading from my store at a Pay What You Want (even nothing) price. Please SHARE this music with friends via Facebook, Twitter, embed it in your blog, whatever… It’s a subtle way of showing your friends how hip you are and helping me out at the same time.

This was a fun project to assemble. What do think? Is it cool? Is it dumb?

Talk to me…

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New (Uke) Single available by special request.

by Rob Michael

A couple of weeks ago I made a video featuring my new ukulele. Since then it has been requested that I make the audio available for download.

So I have.

That’s one of the coolest things about being completely independent musician: Total autonomy. Someone graciously expresses interest in your music and you provide it to them. Just like that.

Like always, it’s yours for a Pay What You Want (even nothing) price, because, that’s just how I do it.

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New addition to the (musical) family.

by Rob Michael

I’ll admit it: When the ukulele craze started catching-on a few years ago, I kind of made fun of it. I’m not sure why–but I did.

The other day I was seduced by the uke’s sound & vibe I had something of an epiphany which resulted in this tenor uke “following me home.”

Guess I’ll keep it.

UPDATE: By special request, I have made the audio from this impromptu performance available for FREE Stream or Download via my Bandcamp store.

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“In Session” Making of The Rain Song [Video]

by Rob Michael

A couple of weeks a go, I released my version of Led Zeppelin’s “The Rain Song” and offered the recording as a FREE download and asked only for a single Tweet in return.

The response was inspiring! All over the world came these lovely notes of appreciation for the track. They still come through now and again. Everyone seems to dig the reharmonization towards the end. It’s been really cool. There is even another video that Mike Conaty made the very first day of the song’s release here!

During one day of the recording sessions, I filmed some of the guitar and bass takes just to give a glimpse into the process. This was an overdub affair as I played everything on the tune except the drums which were beautifully performed by my first-call drummer Joe Shotwell.

I’ve also decided to make the song available via the Atmos Trio Store. As usual, the song can be streamed, embedded or downloaded at a “Pay What You Want (even nothing) price.

Artwork by the wonderful Linda Palmer.

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Video: Tearin’ it up One Night in Glen Ellen

by Rob Michael

Here is the Atmos Trio functioning as “The guys” in support of singer Cynthia Tarr. We’ve held down this regular gig in Glen Ellen CA at Olive & Vine for a couple of years and have developed a very enthusiastic audience there.

Here’s a fairly up-tempo tune that the band stretches out on a little. Good times!

This was filmed on a Creative Vado HD cam. Audio was EQ’d/ compressed using Ableton Live and video edited in Final Cut Express.

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“Cry Me a River” in the Wine Country

by Rob Michael

Here’s the classic “Cry Me a River” from my gig last Friday night in the California wine country. Glen Ellen, CA is home the the Olive & Vine where the Atmos Trio functioned as “The Guys” to singer (and wife to our bass player Cliff Hugo who’s currently rehearsing with Super Tramp for their European summer tour) Cynthia Tarr.