Michael Patrick Phelan profile picture

Michael Patrick Phelan

Catchy piano-driven pop that makes you think

About Me


If you like your music with a pensive after-taste, you'll love Mike’s savory sound. Michael Patrick Phelan's mellow and soulful songwriting style pays tribute to the heyday of the 1970's singer-songwriter boom while firmly establishing him as a unique artist in today’s adult-alternative scene. He's got a voice that's equal parts Harry Connick Jr. and James Taylor and piano skills that marry the styles of Bruce Hornsby, Sarah McLaughlin, with sprinklings of Diana Krall. His songs, while written from a personal perspective, touch on universal themes: love, loneliness, growing up, family, and the many ups and downs of living day to day. Many listeners often comment that while they had never met Michael prior to seeing him perform, they felt as though he had written the songs specifically for them.

“When I first entered I thought I was hearing a recording of some new jazz vocalist—the next male version of Diana Krall or Jane Monheit. But there was Phelan, in the back corner of the bar, playing with feeling and a remarkably welcome, restrained touch,” wrote Sarah D'Esti-Miller, arts critic for Binghamton, New York's Press and Sun Bulletin upon hearing Michael Patrick Phelan at a local establishment.

Born and raised in Brockville, Ontario, Canada on the shores of his beloved St. Lawrence River, he began playing the piano at 5 years old. He studied classical piano through Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music system and eventually achieved his grade 10 certificate. An avid singer as well, his vocal training ranged from school choirs and theatrical productions to studies and performances with renowned opera singers. A graduate of the prestigious bachelor of fine arts acting program at the University of Windsor (Canada), in May 2005, Michael has been involved in many aspects of the performing arts.
Making the move to Binghamton, New York post-College (he’s a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S.A.), he made the risky decision to put his acting career on hold and focus on what had been a side gig for many years: his music. It paid off. Michael has enchanted thousands now with his popular originals and his warm, soulful renditions of classic songs.

In December of 2006 Michael embarked on a new phase of his music career: writing, arranging, performing and producing an EP of original material with the help of seasoned record producer, Kenny Belanger, through his studio, Bear Swamp Records. In addition to Michael (vocals/keyboards) and Kenny (guitar/bass), local musicians Doug Laura (drums/percussion) and Sara Wolfe (cello), lent their talents to the recording. The echoes of Michael Patrick Phelan’s musical influences and inspirations can be heard in his writing, from Mozart to Gershwin to Randy Newman to Damien Rice. Michael was selected to showcase at the 2007 Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The event features a diverse roster of artists from all over the world. In addition, Michael’s song, “In the Meantime Blues,” was featured on the MMC11 2007 compilation album.

Michael Patrick Phelan performs regularly at many venues across the northeast. For more information, please visit: www.michaelpatrickphelan.com


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Member Since: 5/16/2006
Band Website: michaelpatrickphelan.com
Band Members: Michael Patrick Phelan - Vocals/Keyboard

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Influences: Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Cole Porter, Gershwins, Billy Joel, Jamie Cullum, Joni Mitchell, Rachel Sage, Chantel Kreviazuk, Diana Krall, Five for Fighting, Marc Cohn, Feist, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra, Eva Cassidy, Rogers and Hart/Hammerstein, Coldplay, The Fray, Ella Fitzgerald, Madeline Peyroux, Louis Armstrong, Amos Lee, Herbie Hancock, Jim Croce, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, Norah Jones, Sara Gazarek, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, Michael Feinstein, Robin McCall, Teddy Thompson, Rufus Wainwright, KD Lang, Billie Holiday, Gordon Lightfoot, Snow Patrol, Nat King Cole, Elton John, Jason Robert Brown, Matt Kearney, Amanda Marshall, Peter Cincotti, Regina Spektor and many, many more!

BANNERS..BANNERS..BANNERS..BANNERS..BANNERS..





Sounds Like: Myself. But if you need a description: A hybrid of Harry Connick Jr. and James Taylor, A young Tony Bennett, A male version of Diana Krall, Vocal elements of Rufus Wainwright, and the other day someone told me I sounded like Rod Stewart...
Record Label: Unsigned
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Oneonta debut at Stella Luna Ristorante on Sat, Oct. 27!

Hi all, It's been a while since I've hit the blog on my myspace page.  Just wanted to let you know about a cool dinner-theatre show I'm going to be doing in Oneonta at the end of October.  ...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:17:00 PST

On News Tonight (6/21/07) + Gigs this Weekend!

HI friends - I'm having a hard time updating my gigs calendar on myspace.  It's being slow and obtuse.  per usual.Here's what I'm up to for the next few days: 1)  I will be doing a live...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:19:00 PST

Upcoming NYC-area and Hartford-area shows!

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoy this late-may / early June heatwave...:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />   I wanted to let you know (at the last minut...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:34:00 PST

Check me out on "Narrative Music" + CD Release Party

Well it seems as though the warm and sunny spring weather here in Binghamton was rather short-lived.   I can't say I'm too excited about the impending snowfall over the next few days. I am, ...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 02:04:00 PST

In the Meantime EP Now Available!

Well, the deed is done.  The "In the Meantime EP" my 6-track labor of love is now available to buy.  You can purchase it by clicking on one of the links on my page, or you can download it ri...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:21:00 PST

New Songs Up; EP out next week!

Hi all - I don't know how the weather is where everyone else is, but here in southern new york, we got dumped on with snow.  I love it - wish I could take the weekend off and go snowboarding. I p...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 02:41:00 PST

Slight name alteration...but I'm still the same guy

Hello to anyone who's reading this... With the release of my debut EP in mid-February, I've decided to add my middle name, Patrick.  I'm now:  Michael Patrick Phelan.  I know, I know, t...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:48:00 PST

Currently recording at Bear Swamp Studios!

I'm currently at work on an EP, recording at Bear Swamp Studios in Chenango Forks, NY under the direction of Kenny Belanger.    Check under my "top friends" and click on "kenny" fo...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:04:00 PST

New gig in Syracuse

I just got a gig at a lovely, intimate restaurant in Syracuse, NY - Daniella's Steakhouse - on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 6:30-9:00 pm.  This is my first gig in Syracuse.  If you live in the are...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 09:20:00 PST

Check My Website For More Songs

Just wanted to let you know I have more original songs on my website as well as 30 second clips of a sampling of cover tunes.  Check me out at:  www.michaelphelanmusic.com.  As always, ...
Posted by Michael Patrick Phelan on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:22:00 PST