Songwriter Micah Sheveloff has released a collection of piano-based songs called Exhibitionist that will become available on August 27, 2012.
Exhibitionist is an honest record. The writing is uninhibited; the players played, the singers stepped up to the mic and sung the songs. Recorded to 2-inch tape at New Haven’s Firehouse 12 using a 9-foot concert Steinway and a vintage Hammond B3, Exhibitionist is meant to be an intimate experience. “I really passionately wanted to avoid leaning on the crutch of modern recording technology to make this record—I wanted to present what I sound like playing and singing my songs, and I think I have achieved that end,” Sheveloff stated.
Exhibitionist will be available on digital properties such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Rhapsody and others. Additionally, a 96K high-resolution audiophile edition of the songs will be available from the HD Tracks website beginning on the same date. The compilation includes the song “Tumble,” featured on CMJ Mixtape in July along with the critically acclaimed cover of Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell,” a duet with Meliah Rage vocalist Mike Munro that appears on YouTube (LINK TO VIDEO HERE).
Sheveloff’s songs encompass a wide array of mood, tempo and lyrical content. There are eight original compositions plus the Black Sabbath track and another cover duet with legendary Boston singer/songwriter Rick Berlin. Berlin sings Sheveloff’s piano arrangement of Cheap Trick’s “Heaven Tonight.” “I had several fundamental goals for this record—the first was to sing my own songs, establish my own voice,” Sheveloff explained. “I also wanted an opportunity to mix in the colorful personalities and creative sensibilities of some gifted musicians, and everyone who participated in the project was amazing. I think the process of recording together as a band creates an unmistakable feel and energy level that is exactly what I was after,” Sheveloff added.
Drummer Greg Trabandt and bassist Clint Amereno anchored Sheveloff’s original songs, with guitarist Ed Vick sizzling on five tracks. Sheveloff also enlisted noted guitarist Marc Shulman (Suzanne Vega, others) to impart his ethereal style on two of the original songs. Rounding out the guest list is renowned Vermont guitarist Paul Asbell and vocalist James Mix who teamed up with legendary Connecticut jazz players Steve Clark (bass) and drummer Paul Mills for one track.
About the artist: Micah Sheveloff is a Boston-born pianist and songwriter who merged an intense classical music foundation with a unique feel for popular song craftsmanship. Sheveloff’ was a fixture in the Boston music scene, having shared the stage with The Detours and Gary Cherone before founding The Voodoo Jets with drummer John Fowler (Steelheart) and Francesco Perrouna. Sheveloff has recorded with artists such as Marc Shulman (Suzanne Vega), Mike Malinin (Goo Goo Dolls), Meliah Rage and others. Sheveloff has a passion for great sound and has been an outspoken advocate for high-performance audio as well as old school recording techniques. Sheveloff maintains a BLOG at www.micahmadness.com and on twitter at playanykey.