Mike is a UK based, multi instrumentalist session player. He is also a busy media composer and guitar and drum tutor. With 29 years’ experience playing guitar and 26 playing drums, Mike is a trusted ‘go-to’ session player for many producers and clients around the world. Recent sessions have included work for Warner Bros. recording artist, Deane Ogden; Hollywood composer, Ryan Taubert (Lincoln Motors ad campaign); German film & Tv composer, Dirk Ehlert (many production tracks for Premium Beat); UK based composer, Paul Lawler (2 albums released by De Wolfe Music) and British composer Brolly Brollyman on his score for the BBC’s Secret Life Of The Farm. This last session saw Mike play the Charango for the first time. A lot of fun. The joys of being a multi instrumentalist.
Composing
Mike’s composing career began in 2014 with his first album release for 9 Lives (EMI), Americana. One of the first placements for this album was on The One Show (BBC1). Since then, he has had hundreds of tracks published and released through numerous production music companies including;
Extreme Music (Sony/ATV)
9 Lives Music (EMI/Warner Chappell)
Score Addiction (Universal)
Score Production (BMG)
Gothic Storm (BMG)
Beds & Beats (BMG)
Reliable Source Music (Intervox)
Recent placements include usage on BBC1, Nederland 2 (Holland), Pro Sieben (Germany), ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, plus many, many more worldwide. Mike has also had a track placed on a trailer for Ice Age 5: Collision Course. Plus hundreds more. Too many to list.
Upcoming albums include an album co-written with one of the co-composers of the Strictly Come Dancing (Dancing With the Stars) theme, Josh Phillips. Another album due early next year is one that has been co-written with ex-Dillinger Escape Plan drummer, Chris Pennie. Influenced by math-core, this album is going to be unique in the world of production music. We have failed to find anything quite like it on any library music label. Watch this space.
Multi Instrumentalist
Mike has been teaching guitar and drums for over 17 years and continues to teach on a regular basis from his home studio. In this time, Mike has put many students through grade exams. With a 100% pass rate and a majority passing with a score of 80% or above. Mike has also been a visiting guitar lecturer at Wolverhampton University since 2012.
Other production work in recent years includes transcribing, recording and mixing backing tracks of popular songs for online karaoke website and app, Pure Solo.
Mike is also available as a transcriber. He has well over 400 rock and pop guitar tab and bass tab transcriptions available through Faber Music’s E-Partner scheme. A licensed sheet music portal and network that is still running to this day.
As a guitarist and drummer, he is also regularly to be found playing in the pit for musical theatre productions or on stage with various function bands and artists. Mike is happy to travel for performing work or sessions. He has a full passport and all the right vaccinations. Prefers sunnier climates but can bring warm clothing if needed.
You can hire Mike to compose, record, perfom, transcribe or teach via the contact page.