Mike Therieau

• Genre: Americana
• Hometown: Oakland
• Mike Therieau Website

About

After playing with mod-psyche band the Event, blues rockers the Loved Ones and cosmic country crooners Mover and Dave Gleason's Wasted Days, Mike Therieau went solo. His life should have begun in Memphis, as the saturated vintage amplifier tones and analogue warmth of his songs sound like something pulled from Big Star's record collection. Other moments channel the same gospel rock rave-ups that Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett were conjuring in the desert of the 1971 film Vanishing Point. Therieau's rich rock 'n' roll influences and rootsy rue are steeped in the deep soul of a bygone era -- though his lyrics are relevant and original. By blending the familiar with the unfolding ideas of a modern day songwriter, Therieau's songs sound as if they were penned while the songwriter was living out of a suitcase. They recall an old school country soul rock vibe akin to Tony Joe White and Therieau's voice echoes the elastic range of a young Terry Reid and the wailing rasp of Steve Marriott. Listening to Therieau's music, one might wonder if it was recorded in 1976 or 2006. Nobody is making stuff this timeless any more.

- Eric Shea