the pyre

foreign eyes

you're so alive

Born in Rochester NY, Michael Kwong began studying the acoustic guitar in 1998 with local musician Dennis Monroe. Since then, he has released two other studio albums, and “The Turn” is his first acoustic album. Currently, he is studying with local jazz guitarist Steve Greene, and has recently immersed himself in the experimental noise scene in Rochester. Breaking out into the world of effects pedals and electric guitar, Michael is already working towards combining these elements with his traditional song-writing process.

The Turn reflects a momentous change in perspective. It is the celebration of obtaining one’s own freedom from one’s own inner obstacles. Yet just as the completion of this album is welcomed with great joy, it is also a reflection of leaving the past behind. It could be said then that The Turn is just as much of a death experience as it is a new beginning.

Imagine being locked into a certain perception of reality, working with the energy available in that state of mind to feed the creative process. Now try to imagine what it would be like for that perception to shift dramatically. With that shift would come an entirely new way of viewing life, thinking, and creating. The Turn represents this momentous change.

My entire artistic process since I first picked up the guitar has been about arriving at the point in time that follows the release of this album. The songs on the album itself do the best they can to capture the journey I’ve taken to reach the state of mind that I am in today.

So celebrate with me the power of inner change, and the beauty of new beginnings. 

Sincerely,
Michael Kwong