Portrait of a modern troubadour: Michael on Fire WITH VIDEO
By BETH ROBINSON
Special to The Oakland Press

It is the rare home that doesn’t tell a story, and Michael on Fire’s gracious 100-year-old bungalow in Keego Harbor tells a unique one.

Bookshelves embrace an esoteric collection of philosophers, poets, mystics and musicians. Guitars own the living room, a keyboard the dining room, a bag of harmonicas the table, with a mandolin, a saxophone, and a violin that once belonged to a hillbilly fiddle player immortalized by Michael on Fire in “Chief Redbird’s Violin.”

Though he has played with performers that are household names, there are no shots of bands posing for posterity; the walls are adorned only with photos of his family.

The place has a careful feel, every object a treasure imbued with special meaning. It also has the simple, clean and reverent feel of an ascetic monk’s quiet cell.

Michael on Fire, singer, songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, producer, teacher, storyteller, is venerated by fellow musicians and fans for his profound emotion, his powerful knowingness, his passion, and his personal generosity.

“Your music has changed my life by leading me to places in myself that I had either forgotten about or never suspected were there and I want to thank you for that,” writes a fan on his website.

“As always, your vision reminds us that even when we are alone, we are all connected. Thank you for touching my heart and soul,” writes another fan.

It is the life-long flow of awareness, insight, and empathy that has moved him to pen more than  1,000 original songs.

He has recorded 13 albums and composed for film, for Detroit’s Children’s Hospital, and for The Weather Channel. And he has spent his career performing hundreds of nights a year. 

The lengthy and extraordinary journey of a modern troubadour has seen Michael on Fire — born Michael Colone — living in Detroit, Southern California, Nashville and Las Vegas.

He has performed in honky tonks and major concert halls, in prisons and for American presidents, in private homes and on major festival stages.

Michael on Fire says that from the time he first picked up a guitar at age 11, he knew that his “path and purpose was making music.” He has remained true to that calling, living his life as an original artist.

Bands and genres and even his name have been fluid affairs for Michael on Fire. He forming country rock band Old Buck, toured with the Friends Road Show, created the avante guarde improvisational jazz group Prismatic, and hit the road again as a singer/songwriter, where he came to be known as Michael on Fire.

But his commitment and conviction have been constant — as a kid riding a bike to rehearsals with a guitar in one hand and an amplifier in the other, later driving his touring van through whiteouts in the Midwest, black ice in the Rockies, tornadoes in the South, and fires in California to get to gigs, living daily on thin ice and a razor’s edge, and enduring endless judgement for doing so.

“It can’t be explained. It’s a life force. That’s the path I’m on. Most people think of music as a business or a hobby, but for me, I think it’s the highest calling I can have,” he says.

In addition to his albums, Michael on Fire has released an impressive collection of singles. Since its October release, his single, “I Ain’t There Yet,” has received worldwide radio play, gaining Michael on Fire a spot on the national Americana/country music charts.

His most recent album, “Always Yes,” released by West Coast record label Real Eyes Productions, is receiving an enthusiastic response.

“If I could have made this record anywhere in the world and brought in anyone I wanted, this still would have been the record I would have made,” he says. “I wouldn’t change one thing.”

The album, a masterwork of original Americana rock, country, and blues, has already attracted the attention of radio stations around the world, concert venues around the country, and his fans. 

He has put in the years and the miles, and done so outside of the mainstream music “industry,” creating without compromising his vision, living hard by his maxim that “you either follow your heart or sell your soul.”

“I didn’t set out to operate outside of the music industry. I’ve just always been clear about who and what I am and what I do and I’ve been resolute in upholding my musical and moral ideals.”

 With the muse already whispering new songs in his ear and the road drawing him toward upcoming performances around the country, Michael on Fire continues on his lifelong path as a musician.




"TIPJAR" is the one place where you can find New, Trending, Up and coming talent of incompatible genre of music, beats, and sounds. Open up the doors of imagination with home grown instrumentals created in the Tip Jar Lab. Take a listen to the fresh new developments of harmonics created to be a signature touch to activate every spectrum and angle of music. Masterminding and composing harmonical synth's that intrigue the ears to vibrations never felt before. 
    "TIPJAR" is a over-the-top music producer working on numerous projects starting from Hip-hop to Dance, House and Dub-step. The One word that describes this youthful producer would be "Passionate" as he is always enthusiastic about the Artist and his twist on music. He has studied in the school of audio engineering. Gained Knowledge in the theory of sound and has maintained a steady work flow where ever he goes. With a background in Protools, Logic Pro, and many other DAW's he has progressed in devising  commercial sound quality Audio that can mimic your favorite hit single. One of the Top selected producers in Miami building up his Army of sounds.
     Be on the look out and keep your ears open for TIPJAR!

Insertion (aka Silviu Gabriel Petean) knows daylight in May 1986.
Born and raised in Bucharest, he will become one of the most enthusiastic supporters of trance movement in Romania.

By the end of 2008, he made his debut at Cocoloco Music Club mixing for the first time in front of 200 trance-addicts.
Between 2009 and 2010, he had a lot of gigs, mixing in many romanian clubs: Silver Club, Suburbia, Stamba, Apasu, Club Flow, Soviet Club.

2010 brings more opportunities for Insertion to exercise his mixing skills. House Parade Timisoara / Hard Force Stage (July 31th) and Trance Vibrations 5th Edition @ Anpora Music Arena in Timisoara (September 10th) were the most important events for him.

In 2011 Insertion performed live in warm-up for Claudia Cazacu and Ferry Tayle.

Nowadays his style is a smooth blend of deep, tech and progressive grooves filled with heavy techno gems.

Between 2009 and 2012 he was the host of a monthly radioshow called SoundWaves on TranceNet Radio (www.trancenet.ro).

We are a collaboration of lyricist/artist in and around south London.
we are looking to bring a unique sound to the UK Hip-Hop sector, with an enthusiastic and creative approach.
Appealing to all age groups from all walks of life, as we are family thus allows our music to stand solid, as a company and as a group.

************************************************

ARTIST

Risoe(R.I.)  -  Grime/Rap
Imaginative Lingo, Assertive approach, Lyrical Content, Punchlines

Siker (Notable) -   Rhythmic Poetry/Hip-Hop
Conscious Lyrical Content, Smooth approach, Word Play

Shakez(SA)kane  -  Trap/Rap & Hip-Hop
Aggressive approach, Punchlines, Trippy Lyrics, Word Play

Trey8  -  Trap/Rap & Hip-Hop
Punchlines, Humorous Smilies, Catchy Adlibs

Snooze  -  Trap/Rap & Hip-Hop
Trippy Vibe, Assertive approach, Punchlines

Keno  -  Reggae/Trap/Rap & HipHop
Vocal Power, Punchlines, Deep Flow, Conscious Lyrics, Wordplay

(Ras)Weezie  -  Dancehall/Reggae/Trap & Hip-Hop
Blunt Flow,Conscious Lyrics, Straight Vibes

CP  -  Rap & Hip-Hop
Lyrical Content, Laid Back Music, Creative Writer, Spiritual Rapper

Draipz  -  Trap/Rap & Hip-Hop/R&B
Fast Flow, Lyrical Content, Smooth Punclines, Creative Writer

Young-Star  -  Rap/Grime
Freestlye, Aggressive approach, Imaginative Lingo, Lyrical Content

Tommy Wray(JayWooz)  -  Rap/Hip-Hop/Indie
Lyrical Content, Delivery

PERFORMANCE BIO -Skate attire and blond locks flowing from beneath his hat, an unexpected look takes the stage with no introduction. Curious crowds assemble to see and hear if the "head nodding hype" is true. With an apparent confidence he begins pounding out a riveting live beat production on his MP2000XL. His fingers and hands moving fiercely, completing the most rugged baseline and eerie, urgent samples, he definitely has your attention now. His skillful mastery of the machine is smooth and seemingly effortless. Bouncing to his own beat production before you, he snatches the microphone from its impending stand, and in true artistic hip hop form, begins rhyming over the aforementioned head nodding beat. An extremely enthusiastic delivery with a rapid lyrical flow soon ensues. He's almost cocky but way too likeable, todays' kids would call it swagger. From the Twista-remininscent "impcredible" fast raps, to analogy filled cyborg references, to the grit and honesty in "Game of Life" he seems to leave no stone unturned in his lyrical prowess. Add just the right amount of quirky banter to leave you smiling, Imperfekt's live stage show is becoming something audiences are talking about for weeks after the show.

GENERAL INFO 
Rick Noggle aka imperfekt started off as a wandering mass of energy and talent before finding his true direction in Hip Hop. Since the genesis of his now ultimate passion, imperfekt has been submerged in every aspect of the culture. From writing raps and graffiti, breakdancing and producing beats, to creating albums, videos, clothing and more. In 2002 iMP founded Mic Hand Recordings, based out of his home town Cedar Rapids, IA and over the past 12 years iMP and company have been a major force in the Iowa Hip Hop scene. imperfekt has relentlessly traveled throughout the Midwest and beyond since 2006; peddling his albums at countless spot-dates and a handful of tours, as well as holding down the home turf with monthly showcases and the annual Super Fresh Culture Fest (founded in 2012).

DISCOGRAPHY 
-2002 - The Originals EP (under the name MC Squared) 
-2004 - Episode Strange 
-2006 - Rough Drafts EP 
-2008 - It Goes Like This 
-2009 - An Imperfekt EP 
-2010 - The Back Hand Mixtape - (Mic Hand Crew) 
-2011 - Tunes For Improvement 
-2014 - Beats & Raps

ACCOLADES 
-2003 -Featured in the fifth installment of the Graffiti Verite series by film director Bob Bryan. 
-2008 -Semi Finalist in the Independent Music World Series 
-2009 -Featured artist on Abovegroundmagazine.com 
-2009 -Grillz and Skillz Emcee Battle Runner Up 
-2011 -Featured on "The Best Love is Free" Compilation
-2011 -Def on Arrival Tour - National Tour 
-2012 -Founded an annual Festival called Super Fresh Culture Fest 
-2013 -Performed at 4 Festivals throughout the Spring and Summer
-2014 -BS Tour + A.T.O.M.S Tour
-2014 -Mentioned in Paste Magazine's "Top 12 Bands in Iowa to Listen to Now" list.

WHAT WE ARE

The forum of, with and for artists and fans, producers and suppliers as well as simply for art enthusiastic people.

The place to document the activities outside on the street online, ask questions, provide information and news, and generally share knowledge. The opportunity to promote artists through merchandise, posters, fan articles and more active management. The presence of the original idea of culture, which is different from the mass-media-acclaimed bling-bling flow and its popculturally established tendency to crime.

THE DREAM AND ITS REALIZATION

Between the initial idea for Street Mindz as a new social network for artists and the current status of our online presence are over ten years of hard work.To achieve the greatest possible autonomy in the network, extensive knowledge had to be acquired.There were test phases of different online systems, since 2005 advertising could already be operated by means of word-of-mouth propaganda. Today the first members are registered. We manage artists and distribute merchandise. Portraits of activists, fans, enthusiasts as well as organizers and organizers are planned.This community is to be constantly expanded and extended, including through documentation and other features.
All our activists and collaborators are artists or study art. We have knowledge and experience in video and audio production, event promotion, art, web, event management as well as extensive knowledge about our culture, past, origin and future prospects.
Together we want to realize new projects, let us change something that some might think can not be changed.

Change Is a Must

Zlatko Jankovski
StreetMindz.com

DJ Alezzaro based in Vienna is a renowned DJ, who is taking the world of psytrance by storm with his high-energy sets and innovative music. With a passion for electronic music, he has quickly made a name for himself in the scene and has already played at prestigious festivals and clubs around the globe. His music, which blends elements of house, techno, and trance, is a hit with both dancing crowds and critics alike. Alezzaro's unique sound is characterized by its psychedelic and mesmerizing mixing qualities, making him stand out in the psytrance scene. He is definitely an artist to keep an eye on, as he is bound to achieve great things in the future.

Since October 2010 he is the first Austrian label DJ of IONO MUSIC.

Alezzaro played at various international Festivals like Universo Paralello (BRA), Voov (GER), Indian Spirit (GER), Half Moon Festival (THA), Spirit Base (CZE), Urban Artformes (AUT), Flow Experience (AUT) & Paradise Festival (AUT) and many more. 

He played in Clubs in Swiss, Denmark, Germany and all over Europe

Trust in Trance <3

https://www.instagram.com/alezzaro_music/

DA KREEK
Dedicated. Diligent. Persevering. Not only are those words synonymous with success, but they can also be used to describe one of Ohio’s best rap duos, Da Kreek. Don’t believe it? Check the stat sheet.
Since 2007, brothers DTown and Mello Dee – MCs and producers, respectively – have continued to build a strong reputation throughout the Midwest. The brash duo has earned a total of eight Ohio Hip-Hop Awards nominations, including four for Best Group. In 2008, their energetic, in your face performance style won them the 101.9 Home Jamz competition, followed in 2009 with an Ohio Hip Hop Awards Showcase title. Their aggressive crossover performances have landed them on stage with national recording acts WIz Khalifa, B.o.B. Soulja Boy, Kirko Bangz, Rick Ross, Day 26 and Machine Gun Kelly.
All this success hasn’t happened over night, though. Fortunately for Da Kreek, the one thing that rivals their work ethic is the quality of their diverse musical catalog. Influenced by Method Man and Redman’s Black Out album, the brothers began writing rhymes in middle school. In 2008, they released their debut album STILL ILL, followed by Clock In: Flight Shift in 2011. The time between albums was used to develop a sound distinctly different than the norm for mainstream hip-hop, while they also ambitiously built a vibrant viral presence as evidenced by the support of their 2012 visual release for their hit “DumbFlyStupidFresh.”
While their resume is already stacked, Da Kreek promises to deliver big in 2013. An album featuring production from DTown and Mello Dee, Clock In: Grind 2 Fly, is already in the works. A Midwestern headlining tour built on the success of their We Got Flow and Midwest Monstars tours will also be used to promote the new album and engage their enthusiastic fan base.
Be on the lookout for Da Kreek news and exclusive material at www.dakreek.com.
Achievements and Accolades
2007 Ohio Hip Hop Award Nominees
2008 101.9 Home Jamz Champions
2008 RushmoreDrive.com Sponsorship
2008 Ohio Hip Hop Award Nominees
2008-2009 HHB Series Award Winners
2009 Def Jam Recording Contract Finalists (Home Jamz)
2009 Ohio Hip Hop Awards Showcase Winners (Youngstown)
2009 Ohio Hip Hop Awards Best Live Performance Nominees
2009 Ohio Hip Hop Awards Best Group Nominees
2010 Ohio Hip Hop Awards Best Group Nominees
2010 We Got Flow Tour Headlining Act
2011 We Got Flow Tour Headlining Act
2012 Ohio Hip Hop Awards Best Group Nominees
2012 Grind2Fly Festival Headlining Act

www.ladyacemusic.bandcamp.com - LADY ACE played the decks with dj's/producers: Sister Bliss / Ben Cullum / Golfclub ft Lady Ace / Marlon Brand O & Lady Ace (Electrolive) / Stefano Richetta / Marnix / Diablo / Marxman / JP Lonestriker / Rubzman / Gene Farris / Affani / Darren Emerson / Lady Deep / Mason / Dave Anthony / Finn Peters / Sire-G / Suki and many more... 
more info @ www.djladyace.info
More music @ www.mixcloud.com/djladyace 
www.hearthis.at/djladyacemusic (free downloads)
www.facebook.com/djladyacemusic
www.mixcloud.com/cosmicdiscorecords 
https://pro.beatport.com/label/cosmic-disco-records/21275
Productions and For booking E: bookings@djladyace.info 

DJ & starting producer Lady Ace loved playing with dj's like Gene Farris, Mason, Sister Bliss, Rubzman, Nova Caza, Tony Thomas, Daniel Zuur, Funk D'Void,  Futureshock, Zweistein, Sander Kleinenberg and many more... 

Some of her favourite producers that inspires her big time! : Mass Digital, Spirit Catchers, Todd Terry, Martin Eyerer, Ramon Tapia, Robert Babicz, Rubzman, Dusky, Danny Howells, Lexer, Solomun, Tom B, Richie Hawtin, Eelke Klein, Nora en Pure, Ben Böhmer, Kevin Yost, Mason, Jimpster, Angelo Ferreri, Gabriel Ananda, Carl Cox and many more. 

In March 2016 she ​did a dj tour in Macedonia. As one of her dreams is to play in every country around the globe. Also to inspire others to jump behind (and in front of) the decks. Celebrate life & people with music is her motto! 

Her dj-ing obsession began back in 1994 at the age of 23 and soon after she became deeply infatuated with bringing her musical ideas to life with organizing parties and dj-ing.
Since then you hear her unique blend of ​Deep House, Chicago house and Deep Techno that guarantees hands in the air on the dance floor.
​
S​he enjoys working together with other deejays/producers as the host of a monthly radio show for Cosmic Disco Records. This joint adventure followed after her release "Ibiza Spirit" together ​   ​
with Rubzman for the album "Ibiza Insomnia"​. ​After taking Ableton courses in 2013 she found a new passion and future goal​ working in the studio​.
    
Lady Ace is also an enthusiastic promotor for dj's & producers, as she organized parties like Get On Track, "The Flow", co-organized with MC Marxman the parties Chicken Skin & Bish Bosh in Amsterdam. She is an inspiring adviser for many events about booking new artists, acts, visuals and creating new projects/concepts for them.

National performances in Netherlands at clubs: Panama, Melkweg, Paard van Troje, Paradiso, club NL, Nomads, Supperclub, Hotel Arena, Skylounge, Odeon, 5&33  and at some festivals like Amsterdam Dance Event, Wooferland, Fast Forward parade, Beyond Festival and Burningman NL.
 
International performances in cities; Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Den Haag, Maastricht, Miami, Bodrum, Ibiza, Skopje, Berlin, Tallin, Kiev, Antwerpen, Saas Fee, Parga, Tel Aviv, Lubijana, Mallorca, Jakarta, Bangkok, Brazil, Hong Kong, Chenzhen and many more beautiful countries...

Cory Sylvester is following