Remember that kid that you hear about, the one that grew up in a music school, racing from room to room, banging on instruments, making the conservatory his playground?
I am that kid. My name is Michael August and music is, and has always been , my life. The creation, the performing…it is all that I have ever known.
My grandpop first started to teach me violin when I was three and I began formally playing the piano at five. First song written? That would have been fifth grade. All of this was great until I hit high school and rebelled. You know how most kids pick up the guitar in high school to rebel? I put mine down and picked up a soccer ball.
This lasted for four years until my friends and I, all jocks, were recruited by the choral director to populate the chorus and the school play, in the hopes of raising their cool factor. That was all it took and I found my way back to my heart, my essence, my self. Singing. Performing. Writing.
So, that's me. But there is more to My Name is August than just me and I am wise enough to recognize that. Way back in 2004, I met Eric Schwank, another songwriter who shared the same need, no, compulsion to write. Constantly.
Instantly, we recognized our shared musical vision and this began our journey. Adding to the magic that makes up a strong working band's success, I met Bill Grillo in 2005. Not only is Bill an outstanding drummer and overall musician, but he has been a huge contributor and an inspirational spirit. After six years, a couple of different bands and thousands (and thousands!) of cups of coffee, we think we have finally gotten it right.
We began recording in mid-December 2007, a simple Christmas CD for family and friends, which soon become the groundwork for our first official release, ‘8’. After the release of ‘8’ we immediately began recording a follow up EP and in a matter of months ‘A Higher Place’ was born. With the help of these two records we have been fortunate enough to build a substantial indie following and tour venues like World Café Live and Grape Street in Philadelphia, The Bitter End in NYC and countless college campuses all along the East Coast and Midwest, while also creating a buzz with labels, publishers, mass media and you. ;)
What inspires me? What music do I like to listen to? I have a strong affinity for the classic and intelligent pop music of Billy Joel and the Beatles. I freely admit that I’m a bit jealous of John Mayer and Dave Matthews for screwing with the “formula” and getting it perfect every time. Listening to my first Counting Crows album is what inspired me to begin writing. (In fact, I’m listening to the Crows latest album at this very moment) Eric, well, Eric is infatuated with the lyrics of Nick Cave, the beautifully raw songwriting of Ryan Adams. And did you know that Eric picked up the guitar for the first time after hearing the Edge play for U2? If you have yet to hear our music, people compare us to the likes of The Fray, Rob Thomas, Matt Nathanson, and Ben Folds. In the end, I can’t say that we sound exactly like any one of these great artists specifically, but at least you’ll understand our foundation.
I have lent my talents to many charitable endeavors, most notably Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties where I have performed for the last few years at their largest fundraiser, BowlForKidsSake and for whom I currently wrote a song for their agency's new campaign..
I would now like to present, "My Name is August", an energetic, soulful and infectious blend of singer/songwriter pop-rock. We are a group of prolific songwriters and musicians, determined on creating music and performances that are simply unforgettable. I hope you enjoy your time with us.
Cheers,
Michael August
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