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Michael Burgin

Rank #23 Asheville/Greensboro, NC Folk / Indie / Americana

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About

Members: Michael Burgin, Cameron Babb, Cyrus Atkins

Sounds Like: The Tallest Man on Earth, Josh Ritter, Bob Dylan, Arcade Fire, Bruce Springsteen

Label: Umbrella Tree Records/1under Records, Umbrella Tree Records

Bio: Michael Burgin is an indie folk musician from the mountains of Western North Carolina. His style is raw stripped down and blends elements of old time and mountain folk and blues with a more modern indie and alternative rock sound.

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Status

Posted a new song: "Burning Out" http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/151704252 #music

Press

“...On Burgin’s fourth solo album, he provides ten strong indie folk tunes that show that you can still be punk rock even if you aren’t amped and shouting. ...At face value, Some Heavy Hammer is a folk album. It is a very raw folk album though. It was recorded entirely on analog equipment and has a much stripped down sound and feel. ...There is a wonderful fervor and grit to this blue-collar sound that Burgin displays over eight original and two traditional tunes. ...While many folky, dancey bands that include a stage full of people are drawing more attention of late, Burgin has made an impressive album that brings folk back to its bare bones with a punk rock sensibility that is reminiscent of what folk meant to the 60s while still having a modern edge.”

— Muzik Man

“...Hailing from Western North Carolina, Burgin incorporates old timey music like blues and Appalachian folk while adding his own unique voice and hints of indie rock and a punk rock spirit, for a timeless yet modern Americana sound...The album opens with the stand out title track, “Some Heavy Hammer” which features a cyclical fingerstyle guitar figure and the perfect introduction to Burgin’s raw and punk-infused vocals, which are reminiscent of Tim Kasher of Cursive and Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes. His witty lyrical wordplay is also on display as he cleverly references historical figures like John Henry, Joan Of Arc and Scarface and their mythical deaths, while he sings about having the strength to overcome a heartbreak... the solid songwriting and thought-provoking lyrics along with the memorable Americana melodies found on his excellent new album, Some Heavy Hammer, should finally gain him the recognition that he has worked hard for and deserves. ”

— Justin Kreitzer, Atlas and The Anchor

“...With only an acoustic guitar and his gruff, in-your-face voice, Burgin still manages to convey a punk-like passion, creating a strange, but highly-listenable duality. Choosing a completely stripped down production style, Burgin lays bare all the "imperfections" of his voice and guitar, reminding me of what vinyl enthusiasts love about records; finding joy in the scratches, clicks and pops of an LP on the turntable... Burgin does a great job of creating an extremely eclectic album with only two instruments...While Burgin is definitely a musician illustrative of the "Asheville Sound", he still manages to take a slightly different tack than most singer-songwriters. I can imagine his guitar melodies being used by other popular Asheville artists, but not only does his voice sound like nobody else's, how he marries his vocal approach with his guitar lines is distinctive, like the footfalls of a wild animal running through a steady stream...”

— Brent Fluery, Bold Life Magazin

“North Carolina-native, Michael Burgin, knows how to play stripped-down, progressive folk and roots music with a charismatic, authentic voice and folksy guitar style. The folk melodies borrow influences from alternative, bluegrass, roots, punk, and Western styles. Sick On The Noon Day Sun features eleven songs that shine under the sun at any time of the day…. … The bluegrass/punk guitar-playing abilities are candidly displayed with Michael’s fast strumming and driving choruses… “Barren” is a bluesy song with a slower and grittier rhythm than previous tracks. Michael’s voice is earthy and moving. … crystalline guitar plucking…. Michael Burgin presents us with an edgy, nostalgic, and folk-focused recording… … Michael utilizes his poignant talent for songwriting and guitar-playing… 4 stars (out of 5) ”

— Matthew Forss, Ariel Publicity

“...there's much more to Burgin's brand of protest-oriented folk rock than mere boozy revelry. ...This local musician has a quirky sense of humor coupled with wistful, raw, stirring vocals. But the true centerpiece of Burgin's passionate songs is the political message of the middle-class struggle, and Burgin gives voice to those under-represented woes...(Michael Burgin) concocts folk music in the tradition of social-activist troubadours Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger with the rocker teeth of Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Burgin's political jargon is plentiful, tripping in and out of his lyrics with all the bitterness and sinewy musicality of early Billy Bragg...the singer/songwriter presents his material with such forthright earnestness that it's hard to discount him..Death(Will Tremble to Take Us)'s dozen tracks balance brilliantly on a precipice between anger and beauty...between the dull thrum of a hangover and the sudden clarity of sun through storm clouds... ”

— Viktorija Krulikas and Alli Marshall, Mountain Xpress

“This record is a great companion in moment of recollection; A textbook record with all the necessary ingredients that evoke emotion. Drinker's Union draws on the rawness of The Cure, The Germs, and Social Distortion. If you enjoy great live music at your local pub, then Drinker's Union should knock a few back for ya! Standout songs are "Violently Hungry" and "Don't Even Know I'm Lying" ”

— Loud Mouth Review

“...these guys play with gusto, volume and wild abandon...(Michael Burgin) combines elements of punk, shoegaze and Americana into a teeming cauldron of semi-experimental craziness. It is certainly intense, and never lets you get quite comfortable with its ever-shifting direction. With constant, over-riding themes such as women, alcohol and apathy running through the entire album (Violently Hungry 2009), listening to it is almost like setting a Charles Bukowski book to music (yes, that's a compliment). ...Michael Burgin barks and snarls his lyrics like a long-lost psychotic brother of Social Distortion's Mike Ness — forcing you to pay attention — but he also lays back on a few tracks, softening up just enough to let a hint of Robert Smith come creeping in... ”

— Brent Fluery, Bold Life Magazine

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Recent Blogs

New album out!
May 7, 2011
My new album 'Sick On The Noon Day Sun' is now available on cd. Just go to www.c... [more]

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Songs

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Play "Some Heavy Hammer"

Some Heavy Hammer

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Play "Spade Is A Spade"

Spade Is A Spade

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Play "The Shadows Of The Pines"

The Shadows Of The …

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Play "Burning Out"

Burning Out

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Play "Bridge To Nowhere"

Bridge To Nowhere

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Discography

Some Heavy Hammer Released on Aug 7, 2012
Sick On The Noon Day Sun Released on Oct 11, 2011
Death Will Tremble To Take Us Released on Dec 23, 2008
Hard Times Released on Nov 25, 2008
The Gadfly Released on Feb 6, 2007

Videos

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Shows

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2012
Sep 15

Deep South The Bar
Raleigh, NC, US | 9:00pm
Deep South The Bar
Raleigh, NC, US
Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:00pm
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- Tickets
2012
Jun 2

Craggie Brewing Company
Asheville, NC, US | 7:00am
Craggie Brewing Company
Asheville, NC, US
Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:00am
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Details

Free EARLY show. Come on out, we'll be done around 11 and ready to party!
2012
May 10

The Broad Street Cafe
Durham, NC, US | 8:00pm
The Broad Street Cafe
Durham, NC, US
Thu May 10, 2012 8:00pm
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- Tickets
2011
Dec 10

Front Street Public Hou…
Burlington, NC, US | 8:00pm
Front Street Public House
Burlington, NC, US
Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:00pm
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2011
Nov 19

The LAB
Asheville, NC, US | 9:00pm
The LAB
Asheville, NC, US
Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:00pm
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Comments

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Jeffro Bodeen
Great original style Michael, Some Heavy Hammer is one very good song! ~ Jeff
Route 64
You sound great! Love your originality!
Sills & Smith
Bridge to Nowhere is a wonderful song in the finest of the singer-songwriter tradition. Bravo, Michael. Frank Smith
Asheville Underground...
Sounds great Michael!