Mike Genato is an independent record producer and composer who has contributed his signature sound on both underground and mainstream projects for over 10 years. Influenced by legends such as Stevie Wonder, Rick Ruben, and Kevin Saunderson, Mike developed a sound that’s both genre-bending and diverse; combining elements of Soul, R&B, Rock, New Wave, and Electronic music. Also a sound designer and engineer, Mike Genato incorporates techniques to create that big, high-impact sound required to energize every project.
As a producer,
Mike started his career in 1997 as part of the drum&bass outfit, Mathematics. One of the first stateside artists to crack the largely UK-dominated scene, Mathematics released records on esteemed labels such as Hospital, Renegade, and Liquid V; consistently toured both sides of the Atlantic, including appearances at London’s premier drum&bass party Movement, Swerve, and The Dub Club in Vienna; remixed for Adam Freeland, AK1200, and Nuspirit Helsinki; and have been supported worldwide by renowned DJ’s Jason Bentley (KCRW), Fabio (BBC Radio 1), Bailey (BBC 1xtra), and LTJ Bukem (Progression Sessions), to name a few. 2002 saw the launch of Mathematics’ long-awaited label, Social Studies. Along the way, Mike caught the attention of underground R&B artist Peter Hadar. Together, they released two albums, ‘Memories of the Heart’ and ‘Well Dressed for the Art Show’ respectively. Their song ‘First Sight’ won the Agape Indie Artist Award for Song of the Year in 2007. Peter and Mike then formed the songwriting/production team called Strange Kids and wrote songs for major artists such as Carl Thomas, Dwele, and Joe, as well as recorded a unique cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Lean On Me’ for Expansion Team Records. The Strange Kids version completely flipped the song, going in more of an updated, R&B direction. Currently, Mike is pushing a new project, Mathematics vs. Peter Hadar, pitting the two artists’ sounds against each to form a live, electronic, Drum’n’Bass/R&B band. He is also releasing the debut album for an act called HandinHand, who fuses the sounds of dub reggae, trip hop, Detroit techno, and soul; working with electronic artist and singer, Irene Merring; while still producing tracks for various artists.
As a composer,
Mike Genato’s first job was in 1994, composing for Pittsburgh, PA based video game developer, COGnition Development Team. Mike was the composer on two projects – a shareware, Marble Madness-type game entitled ‘Bolz!’, and an educational program called ‘Grammar Class’. The musical styles ranged from dance/electronica to urban in Bolz!, to Disney-esque soundtracks for Grammar Class. In 1996, Mike enrolled into New York University to hone his skills, mostly working on student films and independent productions. He got his first taste of post production audio at avant-garde music house, tomandandy. In 2003, Mike hooked up with Expansion Team and started a run of composing spots for Nike, New Balance, Adidas, Vh1, and Comedy Central, among many others. Starting as the ‘drum&bass’ artist on the team, his sound quickly diversified to other genres including Hip Hop, Funk, Disco, Rock, Ska, Techno, Soundtrack, and even into some Sound Design. Building off of that experience, Mike teamed up with premier motion graphics house, Alien Kung Fu. He first added explosive sound design to their 2006 show reel, and then collaborated on projects for Comedy Central (Amazing Jonathan), SpikeTV (Hitman promo and 2007 VGA promos), Verizon Wireless, MTV, Open Space Alliance, and FX (Bernie Mac Show promos). Mike also worked with acclaimed director, Jon Reiss, providing music to the film, ‘Bomb-It!’, a new documentary about international street-art. He then worked with another acclaimed director, David Weinstock, providing sound design to the humorous TBWA Chiat Day spot for Combat Roach Bait entitled, ‘Good Morning’. Recently, Mike Genato and Expansion Team collaborated again, this time composing the theme to Vh1’s 2008 Hip Hop Honors show.
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