75 Bands in 75 Days – Day 72: Voxmirage
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome, welcome, to 75 Bands in 75 Days, where we’re showcasing some of the best talent that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, at least one band per day, leading up to December 31st, to ring in a new year. This list is in no particular order and it is not a chart or a countdown. It’s merely a list of bands or musicians that we feel are worthy of checking out. The band for day 72 is a Seattle band called Voxmirage.
In Voxmirage’s new album that was mastered at ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS in London, you’ll find a labyrinth of Beatlesque melodies and lush harmonies. The new wave influences of Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears can easily be heard in the synth sonorousness. The obvious influence of Fleetwood Mac can be found throughout, but track 12′s modern synth pop rendition of Lindsey Buckingham’s 80’s hit of ‘Go Insane’ is an exciting tribute to a living legend.
Voxmirage’s debut is the songwriting and recordings of Mike Streng and Aaron Nicholes. Mike is a classically trained vocalist who early on sang tenor in a jazz octet and has even performed Italian opera. Mike began playing guitar at age 8 and at age 16 performed with the legendary B.B. King. As a Seattle native, Mike spent the better part of his life immersed in Seattle’s rich music scene performing, writing and recording his craft. In spite of the fact that Mike has spent many years in and out of Seattle recording studios including the infamous Heart studio, ‘Bad Animals’ and has recorded 6 albums that were never released, Voxmirage is Mike’s debut release.
Aaron Nicholes brings years of experience as a classically trained percussionist, seasoned songwriter and skilled engineer. Aaron’s expertise helped to make this album a unique body of work. Aaron’s background started at Cornish University where Aaron studied Jazz percussion and composition. Not long after Cornish, Aaron found himself immersed in Seattle’s Alternative, Industrial music scene recording numerous albums including his own self-release in 2007 under the name, Deathbed Repentance. Aaron is a former member of the band Kuma and recently did a nationwide tour with KMFDM.
Producer Ken Stringfellow makes a significant appearance across the entire body of work performing numerous instruments as well as singing backing vocals on track 8. Ken’s prolific piano and synth skills and production virtuosity are strewn throughout including complex and creative programming and complete mixing of the entire album.
All told, Voxmirage’s debut is a must have album for all indie pop music lovers.