Michael Tiernan
Still Listening
© 2003 Michael Tiernan (829757394824)
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The winner of the 2004 Male Singer Songwriter of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards brings you intelligent Acoustic Modern Folk that engages your mind and penetrates your heart.
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2006 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition Finalist
- 2006 Endorsed Artist by the Independent Artists Registry
- Winner: 2005 AAA Album of the Year, Los Angeles Music Awards
- Winner: 2004 Male Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Los Angeles Music Awards
- 2005 Orange County Music Awards Nominee
- 2005 Finalist: KRCL/Founders Folk Festival Songwriter Contest
- 2005 Pacific Songwriting Competition Hot Pick Artist
- Winner: 2004 Call to Arts Song Contest for the song "Better"
- 2004 Billboard World Song Contest: Honorable Mention in the Folk/Country Category.
Seeking to grow his team: management, booking, PR, distribution, publishing
What makes a seasoned song?
A seasoned songwriter... A cancer survivor, a world traveler, a student of languages, philosophy, religions, and at one point, a year away from being ordained a priest (gasp!), Michael's music is fully seasoned with the experiences of ten lifetimes. It is delivered and wrapped up in a unique style of acoustic guitar-centric music that has drawn comparisons that range from James Taylor to David Wilcox, from Damien Rice to Kurt Cobain, from Glen Phillips to Woody Guthrie. Tiernan's music "adheres to no boundaries; every genre is crossed as Tiernan showcases his technical skill with exceedingly intricate guitar work" (San Diego Reader).
In the spring of 2000, upon deciding to leave the seminary in Rome, Italy, Michael wasn't sure where life was leading him. He locked himself in a friend's basement armed with only a guitar, a mic, and a PC. Two weeks later, he emerged with his first 14 song album/demo, "Two Weeks (with nothing to do). Michael's feet were set firmly down the troubadour's path.
The 2003 release of his self-produced "Still Listening", proved to be an engaging acoustic album that got people in Southern California and beyond noticing. The success of "Still Listening" inspired Michael to jump into a full-time music career and he began to hit the road. Among the awards he quickly garnered, he was honored with the prestigious Los Angeles Music Award for Best Independent Male Singer/Songwriter of 2004. Michael's presence on the music scene in 2005 was greatly broadened with the release of his third album, "Jumping In". This album was recently named 2005's "AAA" Album of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards, and Michael has continued to expand his appeal and following in several markets, walking the line between mainstream adult alternative, modern folk, americana, and acoustic rock genres.
Along Tiernan's tour-path the past two years in numerous notable venues on the West and East Coasts, from festivals to brewpubs, coffee houses to music clubs, bookstores to old churches, audiences have been treated to Michael's passionate performances and intimate style of communication. "The down-to-earth human excitement he gets from performing music is contagious" (Jim Kloss - Whole Wheat Radio). Tiernan also gives back to the community through his participation in two major cancer-support foundations and through organizing music events to showcase up-and-coming artists in his native San Diego. Michael's newest full-length album, "Spaces" will be released nationwide on on January 28th, 2007, followed by a select city national tour in the winter and spring of the same year.
reviews
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"... addictive and rather gorgeous with harmonies that are truly stunning... dis
author: Eddie O'Strange, Town and Country RadioYou can imagine him playing in your living room just for you!
author: Zoe Montana, Program Director, Radioio.com"I love the new album 'Still Listening' from San Diego-based Tiernan, who combin
author: Pete Harris, Harris RadioA fresh voice of very high quality...Tiernan's songwriting star is definitely on
author: Moshe Benarroch, Folk And Acoustic Music ExchangeIt’s not often you hear a CD that obviously has its own heart on the line with s
author: San Diego TroubadourMichael Tiernan introduces himself to the local scene with an introspective heart turned inside out. Lyrically speaking, he’s all about soul matters and anything aside from fashions, trends, scoping out the action, or driving too fast. Still Listening is an appropriate title and remains so in its own innuendo. It is the perfect title. The songs, smart and deeply sensitive, move you. They make you think about yourself, your life, and the God that exists in the details therein. The guitar is played in wonderful balance between economical simplicity and subtle flashiness in a way that doesn’t feel as though he’s showing you all he knows. He plays in standard and alternate tunings with an equal dosage of modesty, maturity, and proficiency. Chord structures are beautifully constructed, with sub-melodies lacing their way through the progressions, which indicate a deeper understanding of how words and music come together to mean one ultimate thing. It is refreshing that nothing on this work reaches out to slap you with musical prowess, even though it shows up in subtle ways. He knows what not to play. He knows where it goes and dispenses exactly the right dosage in order to get the (more important) point across. The effect is one of genuine honesty from a dude who has chosen lonelier roads and simple things to make him right in his own skin and in his world. There is a rootsy tone to the CD. I can hear Berkley Hart covering “My Own Two Legs”, which harkens the Blue Ridge thing. “West Coast Life” offers a different perspective to the usual homogenous glory of sunshine paradise. The equations he renders between geographical seasons and seasons of the heart is astonishing. It’s not often you hear a CD that obviously has its own heart on the line with such obvious conviction in the good work that it is. If that matters to you, then Michael Tiernan’s 14-song CD just might start talking to you, too.
Every genre is crossed as Tiernan showcases his technical skill with exceedingly
author: San Diego ReaderDel Mar Based singer-songwriter Michael Tiernan offers 14 expressive tracks of modern acoustic folk on his latest release. Backing his layered vocals with only an acoustic guitar showcases the strength and texture of his voice. Tiernan incorporates folk, rock, blues, and a smidgen of bluegrass to form a styling that he dubs "mellow acoustic" on Still Listening, his second solo album. The opening track, "The Other Side" begins and ends with folk rock, setting the pace for a majority of the disc. "My Own Two Legs” and “Ego” adhere to no boundaries; every genre is crossed as Tiernan showcases his technical skill with exceedingly intricate guitar work. “And I use to read books in the library/on all the subjects that I loved/ but compared to experience they made no sense to me / cause into a box experience always gets shoved”. Perhaps he should consider hooking up with a poet...... ....The album is moody – not in a negative connotation but in the sense of pent-up vigor. In the end, the dynamism triumphs with catchy choruses and dramatic crescendos.
Fine guitars and rich vocal expressions !
author: Laura T Lynch of Kweevak.comMichael's music is mainly folk rock with shades of the blues and bluegrass. Tiernan is a scholar and a cancer survivor who has traveled the world and incorporates these experiences into insightful visual lyrics. Michael' writes intelligent songs that are serious yet hopeful. This fourteen-track collection features textured tones and heartfelt vocals. The production is stark and straightforward with some layered vocals. The main focus is guitar and singing. 'Drive' ,'Bullet Train' and 'Better' were my favorites featuring fine guitar work and rich vocal expressions!
Wonderful!
author: Jim KlossMichael's music immediately caught me ear here at Whole Wheat Radio. I especially like that his talent shines through without help of overblown studio processing. An honest CD by an honestly talented performer. And, if you've not seen his website, check it out. The down-to-earth human excitement he gets from performing music is contagious.
Rise 'n Shine with Michael T
author: Lisa McLove the "Still Listening" cd. I have it in my cd player/alarm clock and wake up to it each morning. It plays on as I get ready to head out the door and puts me in a peaceful place as I start my day. Michael, I don't think your wife would mind that you wake up another woman each day, would she??? Thanks for the great mood and music!
wonderful, inspiring, satisfying on so many levels, a must listen!
author: CraigI love this CD for the fact that the passion behind the songs, the meaning of the message and the heart of the artist comes through right along side the wonderfully solid musical effort. "Drive", "My Own Two Legs" and "Bullet Train" are my favorites, but all the tracks have something great to offer. This CD is good for the ears and for the soul.
...absolutely true to life. Unique sound and extreme talent!!!
author: MattThis cd is excellent. This guy's songs are true to life and really makes one think. His talent is obvious from the very first track. Hopefully, the music industry will realize this gold mine so that others can listen too.