THE SKINNY: Michael Alvarado, a pop singer that fits in and stands out all at the same time, is PFW's very first "Feature of the Month" - yes, our favorite artist for August, 2009. If you're looking for something easy to listen to, totally and utterly unknown, and absolutely beautiful, read on...MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/michaelalvaradomusic
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/AlvaradoMusic
PURCHASE: Rhapsody, iTunes
DOWNLOAD TEASER ALBUM *FREE
Courtesy Michael Alvarado, Special on PFW
Our very first FEATURE OF THE MONTH comes from a very deserving musician in North Carolina. According to listeners, he's got a sound reminiscent of Maroon5, and Gavin DeGraw - some of my least favorite pop acts of all time - so, take it from a guy with a low tolerance for lame radio pop: Michael Alvarado is the real thing, and in no way reminds me of the above, aside from the shear approachability of the music.
Michael can best be described as a pop singer with some throwbacks to Motown and folk of earlier decades. His live show incorporates multiple backup singers and a generous amount of instrumentation, but maintains a homey, singalong feel, and leaves the superstar ego behind - perhaps that's because he's hasn't achieved that status yet, though it is inevitable. One listen, and it's as evident as his voice is beautiful.
At only 21 years of age, and on his way to completing his college career at Appalachian State, in NC, Michael describes his most recent efforts as being an expensive endeavor with hopes of it paying off in the future. He described to me a few different occasions where he was required to spend money out of his pocket in order to make up for a lack of ticket sales. Michael says that his goals, at this point, aren't to make a ton of money but to get his music heard. He's taking every length to make that possible.
Alvarado's live band consists of 6 members, Michael included, and each bring something reputable to the group, as can be witnessed in the video below. Vocalists Katie Henry and Samantha Crowder, who sometimes see spotlight as leads in tracks like "Down & Out," back Michael up with excellent harmony and an almost retro vibe which is simply a product of being back up singers to a pop singer. This lineup makes for an intersting and unique live show, which is especially cool considering the very limited success Michael's seen thus far.
If you got through either of the tracks below, from start to finish, and assumed that you were listening to the latest hit on MTv, then you were struck with the same feeling I was. So, this very limited success that Michael's seen with his EP "Waste the Day," truly must be the calm before the storm: incredible singing, simple and beautiful songwriting, and an EP that hooks you from start to finish; what more can you ask from an undergrad student at a state university trying to make a living and a name for himself? I'm certainly content and confident to see Michael Alvarado on the front page of many other blogs, magazines, and CD covers in the very near future.
"Slow Love" off of Waste the Day EP
Title Track off of Waste the Day EP
FAVORITE TRACK: Slow Love, Weak At The Knees
FOR FANS OF: Maroon 5, Gavin Degraw, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder
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