Mike Errico

Mike Errico is an American singer-songwriter, composer, producer and music supervisor whose acclaimed releases include Wander Away, Songs from Lift, Pictures of the Big Vacation, Tonight I Drink You All, Skimming and All In.

Mike Errico
Birth nameMike Errico
BornNew York City, United States
GenresRock
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, Producer, writer, editor, music supervisor
Instrumentsvocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Tongue Drum
Years active1997–present
LabelsTallboy 7
WebsiteMike Errico official site

Bio

New York-based recording artist, writer, and lecturing professor Mike Errico has built his name on the strength of critically acclaimed releases and extensive composition for film and TV. Since 2013, he has taught songwriting and music business at universities including Yale, Wesleyan, The New School, and NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, where he was nominated for the David Payne-Carter Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019). In addition to his performing and teaching careers, Errico’s opinions and insights have appeared in publications including The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, The UK Independent, and The Observer.

Live, Errico has toured internationally, playing major music festivals and sharing stages with artists including Raul Midón, Bob Weir, Amos Lee, Derek Trucks, Jonatha Brooke, Ben Folds, Dan Wilson, and many others.

Errico has written dozens of TV theme songs, most notably VH1's hit series Pop Up Video, which was rebooted in 2011, extending a 20-plus-year run as one of the network's all-time biggest hits. He has contributed composition, performance and music supervision to shows including The Voice (NBC), American Pickers (History Channel), The Best Places I've Ever Been (Travel Channel), Last Chance Highway (Animal Planet), and many others. He has landed many sync deals for brands and films, as well.

His independent spirit inspired him to form Tallboy 7, Inc., a company that provides a home for his creative work while he continues to pursue his wide-ranging career.

Mike Errico official site: www.errico.com

Discography

Minor Fits (2017)
Wander Away (2011)
Songs from Lift (2010)
All In (2007)
Skimming (2004)
Tonight I Drink You All (2001)
Pictures of the Big Vacation (1999)
Bite Size (1997)


Minor Fits (2017)

Released in the fall of 2017, Minor Fits is edgy, Americana-leaning, story-based, and deeply connected to all of Errico's previous work. "Initially, I had planned on recording a five-song, tight, straightforward EP...[but] as soon as we started recording, I knew something special was going on."[1] Singles from the album included "My Sinking Ship," "Trusted," a cover of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," and "Why Do You Call." Minor Fits was partially funded by a successful crowdfunding campaign on Pledgemusic.

Mike Errico: Guitars, vocals
Gunnar Olsen: Drums
Matthew Rubano: Bass
Matt Beck: Guitars, pedal steel
John Deley: Keys
Steven Salcedo: Sax
Dave Eggar: Cello
Antoine Silverman: Violin

Gang vocals on "Here's to the End of the World": Jonathan Bernstein, Chrissi Poland, Ari Hest, Carolyn Eufrasio-Traore, Al Coppola, Jake Schwartz, Julie Hanse, Marc Plotkin, Nick Brenock, Claire Bufalino, Ben Lapidus, Derrick Wan, Mikah Feldman-Stein, Andy Campbell

With special contributions from: Jim Chambers, Michael and Pamela Feigin, Evil Jake, Randy and Patti Law, Doug Lester and John Mandeville, Jodi Polick, Ethan Prater ‘95, Scott Shawcroft

Wander Away (2011)

Wander Away, Errico's sixth release, is lush pop-rock that expands his signature songwriting style with new instrumentation – including dobro, string sections, harmonium, and pedal steel – a varied group of cowriters, and a vocal vulnerability only hinted at previously.

In welcoming cowriters for the first time, Errico says, "I think of it as social networking within the artistic process. I've toured with (Soulive's) Eric Krasno and Ari Hest, met Raul Midon and (Goldfrapp/Peter Gabriel keyboardist) Angie Pollock through friends, and worked with (Grammy-winning producer) Ben Mink before. Together, we went places I wouldn't have thought of on my own." Errico also showcases his skill as a guitarist in an intricate arrangement of the Tom Waits classic, "Johnsburg, Illinois." "The song has such an aching quality to it, and I just needed to arrange it, so I'd always have it with me," Errico says.

For Wander Away, Errico reunited with producer Ken Rich at Grand Street Recording. "Ken and I go way back," he says. "I have always respected his naturalistic approach, and felt it would be a great match for the songs I was writing. We both introduced fantastic musicians to the mix, and he kept me open to choices that made me vulnerable and were deeper as a result." Together, they reached back into Errico's catalogue, rearranging "1000 Miles" and "Someday" and orchestrating "You Could Be Anywhere" and "Count to Ten", songs that were originally released as solo performances.

A surprise addition to Wander Away is pedal steel master Bruce Kaphan, known most for his work with Mark Eitzel and American Music Club. After hearing the rough tracks, Bruce enthusiastically joined the album, trading takes over the Web from his studio in Northern California. "The first track he came back with was 'Wish You Well.' My jaw hit the floor," Errico says. "There aren't many guitarists I'd die to have on one of my records. There's Angus Young. Eddie Van Halen. And Bruce."

Errico's mother, the painter and sculptor Angela Errico, provides the cover art. "She had the painting hanging in her Chelsea studio, and I found myself returning to it when I went in to see her new work. It's called 'Toxic Walk in the Park.' I don't know what the figures are doing, what they're walking away from, or towards. I do know that they're outfitted for a tough journey, and they're together, maybe walking out of the frame entirely." He says, with a laugh, "For better or worse, I can relate."

For all its expansion, Wander Away is, at heart, Mike Errico at his most focused and distilled. "I don't know that I've ever been prouder of anything I've ever done," he says. "The combination of my writing and the artistry that was brought to it–it's an unrepeatable moment."[2]

Writing/Editing

In addition to his musical career, Errico worked as Senior Online Editor for Blender magazine from 2006–2008. He has conducted interviews with major figures in music and pop culture, and covered music technology and national music festivals including Lollapalooza, South By Southwest, Ozzfest, Bonnaroo and CMJ.

In the media

USA Today on "Count to Ten": Love hurts so good in this achingly bittersweet ballad from Errico's new album, Wander Away.[3]

Wander Away is...a perfect showcase for this supremely gifted performing songwriter – Performing Songwriter[4]

Popdose.com interview with Mike Errico, by Jeff Giles[5]

Errico has a distinctive voice and has been described as someone who can "balance compelling arrangements and addictive melodies that rock, with stinging lyrics that always make sure you're listening to what he has to say."[6]

References
  1. http://errico.com/minor-fits-new-album-mike-errico/
  2. Mike Errico official "Wander Away" bio
  3. Gardner, Elysa (April 11, 2011). "USA Today Playlist". USA Today. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  4. "Performing Songwriter". Performing Songwriter. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  5. Giles, Jeff. "Popdose Interview". Popdose.com. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  6. Goldenberg, Lindsay. "All In, Maxim.com". Alpha Media Group. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2007.
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