Musician Mike Blue has been steadily building a name for himself over the past few years. With a selection of gigs at some of the best start-up venues around the UK, as well as regular open mic nights in Liverpool pubs and bars, the young singer has captured the attention of the crowd due to his haunting vocals and stripped-back sets.
There’s nothing slick or mastered about his songs – it is precisely this rough quality that gives him an edge. Handling the recording and production himself has worked in his favour, with each track exposing a vulnerability of the singer. To quote Mike himself: “These songs will say more about me than all the words in all the dictionaries in all the worlds”.
‘I Will Not Follow You’ is especially pertinent at the moment, touching on themes as bold and strong as social injustice. The singer isn’t afraid to portray his opinions or deepest thoughts, offering a refreshingly honest outlook on life.
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Even more pensive, ‘Paper Planes’ showcases the singer’s vocal capacity, serving up both a melancholy and hopeful track all in one. Recent release ‘See You On the Other Side’ has more of a country quality, reminiscent of stifling summer days and lonely longing, singing “and to think you’re the only one that I ever loved”.
‘To Myself’ has a poetical tone to it, like that of the ever-popular spoken word sets popping up at open mic nights in cities around the world. Mike Blue rolls off an open letter eight-minute script, giving the listener the impression of eavesdropping on the singer’s inner reflections.
Mike Blue is currently touring across the Liverpool and Manchester area, with dates at the Buyer’s Club, LEAF on Bold Street, The Jacaranda, and The Shipping Forecast, over the next few weeks.
Stay up to date with his new releases and tour dates by following him on Facebook, and listen to a full collection of demos on Soundcloud.
Tilly Martin
