Mishka had a unique childhood and extraordinary upbringing. Born to a Bermudian father and Nova Scotian mother, he grew up on his family’s boat, sailing from island to island in the Caribbean. A child of the islands, it was almost inevitable that he’d be drawn to reggae, Rastafari, and the natural mystic that inhabits his music and his soul. Talk About is his fourth album and the second release for Matthew McConaughey’s j.k. livin’ label.
“The music I heard growing up from my parents, sisters and the places we visited gave me a lot of musical and cultural flexibility. Everything I’ve ever heard blends together in what I do. I’m a huge reggae fan but there’s folk, soul, rock and other elements in the music.” Mishka’s international outlook is a product of his nautical background. “We sailed all over the Atlantic and Caribbean,” Mishka recalls. “We visited Brazil, all the Caribbean islands, even made a cross-Atlantic trip to Portugal and England.” Mishka and his sisters were home schooled until they went to boarding school for their higher education. “Learning how to read maps and chart a course was my math and geography class, going ashore in different countries and talking to people about their culture was my history class, reading books on board was my literary education, picking up French and Portuguese in the ports we visited was my language school.” The boat had a small battery-run cassette player and Mishka heard the music his parents loved: The Beatles, Jimmy Cliff, Dylan and Jimmy Buffett. “My sisters turned me on to the Police, Cars and Roxy Music, but when I heard Burning Spear, Culture, and Bob Marley, I got addicted to roots reggae.”
Mishka was signed to Alan McGee’s Creation label in the UK in 1997. In 1999, Mishka released his first single, “Give You All the Love” which was an immediate success charting in the Top 40 in the UK and Top 10 in Japan. Mishka released his self-titled debut album Mishka later that year which received much critical acclaim in both the UK and Japan. Mishka’s second album One Tree was produced by Swedish producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, James Morrison) in 2005. On his third album, Above the Bones, Mishka worked with long time Sly & Robbie guitarist, Daryl Thompson, who played for many years with Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru. It was at this time that Mishka met actor Matthew McConaughey. The two shared a deeply rooted appreciation for reggae music and it was a natural fit for McConaughey to sign Mishka to his j.k. livin’ record label. In February of 2009, Above the Bones debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts and Mishka was named 2009’s Best New Artist in the singer/songwriter category by iTunes.
Mishka released his latest album, Talk About, on March 30th, 2010. It again debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae chart and includes the song “Homegrown” that features the legendary Willie Nelson. Talk About also features “Stars Will Be Shining” and “Give Them Love”, produced by the highly praised Butch Walker (Pete Yorn, Pink, Fall Out Boy). “This is an album of movement of stepping outside the box of traditional folk-reggae and adding a real mainstream rock influence,” says Mishka. “Butch works fast, he works efficiently and he knows how to cultivate those rock tones in the artists he works with.”
The album’s 13 tracks span a distinct ebb-and-flow, from the fast paced and up-beat first half to a more mellow and introspective second half. “In the days of the LP, this would definitely be an A-side/B-side type record,” Mishka commented. The title track, “Talk About,” explores the imbalance of words versus action, a lyrical theme that runs through much of Mishka’s work. “People make statements about love, equality, and peace and then try to measure their quantity in instant gratification,” he explains. “Whereas those things are really about a long-term way of life where all your actions, not words, add up.”
Mishka began actively touring in support of Talk About in the spring of 2010. At the same time, Mishka and surf-clothing giant, O’Neill, entered into a relationship that continues to flourish today. O’Neill, the original Californian surf, snow and lifestyle brand, manufactures wetsuits, drysuits, sports clothing and accessories and is currently developing an eco-friendly apparel line, “ECO-Neill”, which Mishka will have a hand in designing. “Working with O’Neill is giving me a chance to spread my music to more people – and specifically those who are into water sports,” said Mishka. “I have found such musical and spiritual inspiration out on the waves, so this partnership is a good way to connect with people who probably feel the same inspiration”. O’Neill Clothing CEO, Toby Bost, elaborated, “Mishka adds a whole new dynamic and direction to O’Neill. Growing up a waterman and having an appreciation for the ocean and earth are attributes that make him a natural fit for us. We’re looking forward to incorporating his music, unique spirit and creativity into the ECO’Neill line.
Mishka is currently on a solo headlining tour. He loves connecting with his fans, and makes himself available for meet and greets, signings, and photos after each performance. For more information about Mishka, visit www.facebook.com/mishkamusic.
Check out The Life is good Festival, a one-of-a-kind fundraiser next weekend (September 24-25) at Prowse Farm in Canton, MA.
Bonnaroo alums Jason Mraz, Ben Harper, Guster, Ziggy Marley will be joining forces this weekend for the Life is Good Festival, a one-of-a-kind benefit event taking place the weekend of September 11th & 12th 2010 just 15 minutes from Boston on a scenic 40 acre farm at the base of The Blue Hills in Canton, MA.
don’t tell them
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