Much to the excitement of guitarists worldwide, guitar virtuoso Micha
Schellhaas will be releasing his full-length debut album “Double Take” on
December 1st. The album features Supertramp guitar legend Carl Verheyen and
drummer Chad Wakerman, who is best known for his work with Frank Zappa and
Allan Holdsworth.
Says
Micha, “ 'Double Take', my first full length release, reflects my relationship
with the US and my journey to come and in the end live here. After I was already
established in Europe with steady gigs and my own recording studio, the artist
in me was still not happy and I needed to go and check out the source and
birthplaces of the music and 'sound' I was most inspired by: Jazz, Blues and
Rock. My first trip was a 3 month driving loop starting and ending in NYC all
the way through New Orleans, Austin, LA, San Francisco and back. Songs like
'Travel Song' and 'Texaleans' reflect that time. Later I lived in Austin/Texas
for a while and you can hear that 'Stevie Ray' sound in my songs 'Ford F-150’
and ‘Your Turn’ that also features a blazing solo by Carl Verheyen. Now living
in LA more fusion influences came back to my writing in compositions like
'Velocity' and '5&6'.”
“Micha
Schellhaas has a unique touch on the guitar that sets him apart from everyone
playing the instrument today. That feel, in combination with his beautiful
composing is what makes him a joy to listen to.” - Carl Verheyen
Micha
Schellhaas is an LA-based guitarist living his dream and fulfilling his mission
to make music as a solo artist, accompanist and composer. In 2013, he released
his first EP, “Wings of Fire”, recorded at the renowned Sunset Studios in
Hollywood. “Wings of Fire” was produced by Carl Verheyen (Supertramp) who also
performed on the tracks, and featuring several other industry veterans (Chad
Wackerman (Frank Zappa), Dave Marotta (Manhattan Transfer, Burt Bacharach), Jim
Cox (Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford). The EP is an exciting prelude to the
full-length album due for release in 2015.
Heavily
influenced by classic rock, blues and jazz, Micha has been playing guitar since
he was 9 years old. Born in Germany, his musical career began in Europe where
he gained a Master's degree in jazz guitar from the prestigious Dutch ARTEZ
conservatory, and produced music from his former recording studio, TRINIX
Studio, in the Netherlands. Having performed and toured in numerous European
countries, he took on the U.S. for the first time in 2008, to explore the home
of original blues and rock 'n' roll music and the main inspiration for his
artistic journey. Coast-to-coast travels included an extended stint in Austin,
Texas, where he was actively involved in the local jazz and blues scene, and
enjoyed the opportunity to perform at the renowned SXSWfestival with his
improvised street band, the “Rebel Street Show”. Micha is keeping his bonds
with Austin strong, visiting on a regular basis and constantly exchanging with
Texan and local Austin artists.
Micha
settled in California in 2013, where his musical career has gone from strength
to strength, operating from his private recording studio in Venice Beach. With
a top selection of classic vintage instruments, amplifiers and state of the art
recording equipment, the MichaMusic Studio is a home base for recording guitars
on his own projects, collaborations and hired recording work. Micha is
recording instruction videos and gear demos from his studio as well, most
notable is his recent work for the top class, southern California boutique
guitar builder Ian A. Guitars and Electric Alchemist Pickups.
Says
Micha, “Carl Verheyen produced the album. He is a guitar legend, and brought
all his guitar wisdom and experience with him in the studio. He is also a
vintage guitar expert and has countless hours of experience recording great
guitar sounds with vintage gear. His own albums set standards in guitar music
today.
“Chad
Wackerman played the drums. He started his career when he was only 17 years old
and played alongside Steve Vai in Frank Zappa's band. He is to this day one of
the top drummers in the world. His organic playing is just as much supporting
as it is exciting and really defined the sound of this album. Chad caught on
the unique details of each tune and groove immediately, and really made
everything shine. He was my number one drummer in the world for the record,
since I knew he can play a swing, a texas blues, a tune with brushes and a
heavy riff odd meter tune all on one record and make it fit together perfectly.
“Jim Cox
played Hammond B-3, Grand Piano and Fender Rhodes. He is touring with Mark
Knopfler and Robben Ford regularly. Jim has a fantastic way of playing that is
colorful and strong, always supporting the song and never in the way of the
guitars. He can pick up a solo in any style right away and plays great chords
to support the melody. He is one of the finest Organ players around and we made
sure we had a B3 at the studio.
“Dave
Marotta played bass. He also played on several of Carl's albums and is well
known for his work with Gino Vannelli and Burt Bacharach. He, Carl and Chad
have been playing together for a long time and it was great to have a well
working rhythm section for the recordings right from the start. Dave's super
solid playing and quick communication with Chad solidified the vibe of a great
band just having fun in the studio and recording a record full of interesting
grooves and great arrangements.”
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