Hello, My name is mike sprigo.. I am marginally attractive human Male that is "of age'' I am originally from Portland oregon (U.S.A) and currently reside in this region as well. I embraced an interest in the 'performing arts' early in life by surprising My parents ( and everyone else present ) by being born blue!
I grew up listening to everything and these things had an influence on Me as well,especially in 'the early days' In My north portland Neighborhood (called the 'Villa' ) there were myiads of sounds like birds chirping, dogs yelping, people talking and then screaming.The sounds of lawn mowers moving in and out between apartment buildings! At night there would Be the low flying planes ( sometimes I could actually see them becuase I often slept outside) Then there were the nightly trains and the discharging of firearms ( echoing off into the darkness) I especially enjoyed listing to My grandparents classical and Motown records played on an old tube-speaker turntable apparatus - after a few beers gramps would really 'crank it' up so to speak! Me and my other wee young freinds enjoyed games we made like 'poop on a stick,' and 'go find the toy in the sawdust' other fun games like "get lost on Your trike ( try to make it back home before dark and before your parents called the police reporting you missing: that was My favorite game!
After My dad graduated from "dental school" We moved to a place affectionately known as "Leave it to Beaverton'' My folks bought an old "haunted ranch '(for really cheap) just ouside of town -things were very different now!... The nights were so quite I could for the first time hear my own heartbeat.i would have nightmares about this! there were lots of animals.. some dead ones too. it was fun climing the really big trees making our own 'hang-glyders' (which later I received awards for, and injuries from!) we would take them and launch ourselves off of reaally high barn roofs! we wuold disect some of the dead animals we would find and bring them to science class in sealed glass jars of 'farmaldyhide'. I became really popular with the girls because of this (NOT!) ..But, It was Music I really enjoyed and was intriged with the most! My Father built a "Heathkit' stereo amplifier/reciever in our attic with a soldering gun My Mon would play her ABBA , BADFINGER and VENTURES records while My Dad mostly listed to late fifties era and James Bond sound tracks.of course I would have to listen to them as well! When I went to highschool ( I don't remember much about this time in
My life becuase of a brain injury I incured while serving in the UNITED STATES AIRFORCE) I was told played bass drum in the pep-band at football games! I could go on and on (about the things I remember anyway) somewere along the line I managed to learn piano and some guitar)the guitar I learned was from this really sad but wonderfull Man named 'steve Antunez' He came here from cuba with his family to escape castro. My Dad offered him and His whole family free dental- they were poor-and we had means at this time. In gratitude Mr antunez taught
Me and My brother guitar even after My father left and Mr Antunez's Beautifull wife died of cancer at a very young age. He could still teach drunk better than most music instructors could sober ! ..I believe that!.. I continued to take lessons and run errands for HIm until he passed away..I will always be grateful for him. I will never forget Him. The rest of My family went back to being poor we moved agian.. I went to Mt hood commmunity college-soon after losing My summer job at a record store I (mistakenly) enlisted in the 'service', got kicked out..
I work as a security guard -it's ok.. tired of writing ... End of story for now...
Anyway I play guitar still ..and sing..these are My current 'Instruments of choice' mostly out of practicality, and simplicity You can go off and laugh and cry,an offend yourself ... I have found that mostly enjoy enertaining other people!
I perform every chance I get big or small crowds -makes no difference. mostly younger crowds seem to 'take' to the material I play/perform I probably would loosly define it as Alt-folk.. alittle louder/but not meant to be 'over the top' While i don't concider Myself "poetic or even a 'wordsmith' the lyrics and words are the 'berring-wall' to the music performance) My Grandma ran a theatre troup here it town -this too is 'bergoning' influence) I have been performing around for about seven years now- I am glad to say that I am enjoying it even more and it is becoming easier!
Here are some references as of late (new friends musicians club owners sound people) that hear me or I have performed with: Adam pike(w/ jackpot records) runs sound at the Ash street saloon; "redemption matt" ) I performed at thier C.D release party alittle while back); "charles warda" "( charles runs the open mic at the 'Green Room and performs around town ) ; [email protected] ( nic is the club owner of The hawthorne Theatre. there's more but i really don't like typing so please view the sample D.v.D I think You will enjoy it! ( these are some of the 'tunes' I perform as of late) Yours Truly..
Mike Sprigo
Contact Info:
[email protected]
503-234-2634
