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.

Bio

New York City-based musician, producer and writer Mike Errico has built his name on the strength of critically acclaimed releases Wander Away, Pictures of the Big Vacation, Tonight I Drink You All, Skimming and All In. Errico's rock-driven style showcases sharp lyrics and soaring vocals, whether fronting a band, string trio, or playing in a solo acoustic setting.

Since his first major gig, a solo slot at Woodstock '99, Errico has shared the stage with artists including Jonny Lang, Guster, Soulive, Bob Weir, Amos Lee, Rusted Root, Dido, North Mississippi Allstars, Ari Hest, Longwave, Keller Williams, Jonatha Brooke, Dan Bern, Dar Williams and many others.

Selections from his discography have been used in feature films including Where We Are and Puccini for Beginners.

Errico has written dozens of TV theme songs, most notably VH1's hit series Pop Up Video. He has contributed composition, performance and music supervision to shows including The Voice (NBC), Tucked In (Sundance), The Vanilla Ice Project (HGTV, DIY Network), The Best Places I've Ever Been (Travel Channel), The Truth About (AOL Web series), American Pickers (History Channel), Last Chance Highway (Animal Planet), Pet-O-Rama (Animal Planet), TXT MSG (MSG network), Photo ID (Verizon FiOS), Monday Night Football, Band in a Bubble (MTV), It's a Mall World (MTV), My Coolest Years (VH1), Maxim's Swimsuit Issue DVD series, Blender magazine's SXSW and Lollapalooza coverage, It's a Zoo Out There (Animal Planet), Hollywood Makeout Party (E!), Talkshow U.S.A., The Baby Taddie Show Hollywood Peep Show and many others.

Errico's independent spirit inspired him to form Tallboy 7, the company that provides a home for his creative work.

Errico was also a judge for the 7th and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.^[1]

Mike Errico official site: www.errico.com

Discography

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)

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]

Podcast

In 2011, Mike launched the Mike Errico Podcast, featuring stories, songs, interviews and onstage riffs that are a staple of his live shows. The podcast is available for free on iTunes and his own Web site, www.errico.com.

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. He has also lectured on songwriting and the music industry at Yale University and Berklee College of Music.

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