A Spanish-American/Latino adopted by descendants of eastern Europeans, Michael Carlos has had a diverse life experience that has led him to become a cross-over artist who is reaching back to connect with others trying to find their identity in 21st century America. Growing up in California’s San Joaquin Valley, having lived in Los Angeles, Chicago, and now living in the immigrant-rich area of North Central Washington, has repeatedly brought him back in touch with his Spanish roots. The two-first-name combination Michael Carlos represents his very American “melting-pot†experience, which is evident in his music. He draws ..xperience ranging from being a solo acoustic folksinger to a member of a series of bar bands to create an eclectic mix of rock, jazz/blues, Spanish/Latin, alt-country, and modern indie-rock.
Michael Carlos and his Wenatchee-based band were voted North Central Washington's Favorite Musician/Band of 2005 in a Wenatchee World Readers Poll and placed in the top three the last two years. In addition to appearing at all of central Washington’s major festivals and venues, they have performed on some of Seattle’s big stages including the Northwest Folklife Festival, the University District Street Fair and a few of the small clubs around town.
The forthcoming album “Damage and Remainder,†a follow-up to his 2004 debut “Yesterday’s Icons†is due out later this summer and uses a much more personal voice in chronicling recent events such as the loss of his father and a tragic automobile accident that killed his girlfriend and nearly took his life as well.
Jambands.com called Michael Carlos a “reincarnation of Warren Zevon (minus the chemical self-destructiveness)†for the brutally observant perspective on life reflected in his songwriting. The Illinois Entertainer, one of Chicago's premier entertainment journals, praised the "sincere, light-hearted" approach to political subject matter. The Tacoma Weekly commended the "wide range of musical territory" covered by the album.
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