Biography
Mikah Sykes Gilbert was born in Springfield, Oregon in 1979 and was raised in the hippie town of Eugene. Before he moved to Portland and began performing solo, he played in various bands that he formed: Impossible Purgatory (a punk band), Straight Jacket Yellow Jacket (a free jazz ensemble comprising about 20 members), Bloody Castles (a ragtime band), and Little Two's (with Emily Kokal and Willis Ransom).
On his MySpace he has labeled his music "northwest nature-core twang". His music, he says, appeals to musicians and girls, but it's also apt background music. He tends to describe himself as "whimsical, manic and consistently inconsistent".
About 2 years ago (in 2006) Mikah Sykes met John Frusciante, who appreciated his music and encouraged him to keep playing. He allowed him to record his first album Bad Feelings in his home studio in Los Angeles. He also offered to play a couple tracks, guitar and keyboards on the record. Mikah met John through his best friend and singer Emily Kokal, who is currently John's girlfriend. She sings "I Would Not" and "Hollywood Canasta" with Mikah on the album. The electrofolk song "Shadow in the Valley" was written and recorded with friend and fellow-artist Badsector aka K Nelson the founder of electrofolk sound records, also from Portland, Oregon.
In the underground trend-setting music community of the northwest Mikah Sykes is very respected and one of the most original singer-songwriters to come out in years. John Frusciante has been quoted as being envious of his guitar skills. His tendency toward spacey experimentation is tethered by his deep love of the blues. His folk fits somewhere between Iron and Wine and early Bright Eyes. There's also some tremulous Sufjan Stevens instrumentation, guitar that feels a bit like Joanna Newsom's harp, and some kiddie-ish Daniel Johnson vocals.
Mikah has been trying to get attention in Europe for some time now. At the moment he is brushing up on his Spanish and planning to move to Barcelona. He is very busy booking a European Tour, starting November 18th 2007. Dates to be announced soon.
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