Incorporating myriad genres, including Alt-country/Americana/Roots/Rock/Memphis Soul and even Reggae, this Michigan born artist has forged a truly unique style all his own.
Growing up in a small beach town, Mike Struwin began his musical photosynthesis at the age of thirteen, with the piano. Soon after, he entwined his fingers around his first guitar and found his passion to be laced within its six strings. A prolific and gifted songwriter from early on, Mike’s first CD was composed and released by the age of seventeen, and the infectious ballads found fertile ground in the ears of his native Michigan. With support from a cadre of music majors, Struwin released Out of the Blue (2002) and Roots Down (2005), both under his own name. World-class musicianship and Mike's strong, reedy tenor, combined with his stark brand of Americana (tinged with subtle echoes of reggae and soul) earned Roots Down national acclaim, which led to soundtrack placement in the independent features Beautiful (2006, Imagine Afrika Productions) and Gringo Wedding (2006, Stepping Stone Productions).
Along with music composition and recording, Struwin has a deep fondness for performing live, and considers playing venues across the country both a primary goal for, and a benefit of, his musical career. He has toured heavily throughout the middle of the continent, from Michigan to Colorado, and earned himself the title of "Kalamazoo Acoustic Idol" in 2004. During that time, he shared the bill with The Doobie Brothers, Robert Bradley’s Black Water Surprise, and Greensky Bluegrass, and shared the stage with members of Umphrey’s Mcgee and The David Crosby Band.
In 2006 Mike relocated to Portland, Oregon. Struwin’s penchant for locating and assembling top backing talent paid off, and these collaborations resulted in the formation of the short-lived Sol Serenade, which released a self-titled EP in 2008 featuring versions of "Mother Mary's Son" and "Yes Michigan" - songs which would later appear in a more refined state on Storyline.
Storyline, Mike’s 2009 full-length album, showcases expert songwriting and displays a newfound maturity and depth in an already seasoned, critically-lauded musician. Focusing on the intertwined concepts of change and balance, Mike’s lyrics and music are imbued with a sense of honesty, empathy and authenticity that can only be obtained through time and experience.
With the release of Storyline, and a longing for his home state, Mike has recently moved back to Michigan and is lined up to delight fans with his new material. Touring the region with intimidating frequency; Struwin plays and average of 120 shows a year. In the summer of 2009, Mike was invited to perform on the main stage alongside The Wailers at the South Bend Reggae Fest in Indiana, and a played a headlining gig on the main stage of the Venetian Festival in St. Joseph, Michigan.
Other festivals and music venues Mike Struwin has played:
Hoxeyville Music Festival 2010 (Wellston, MI)
6th Annual Winter Beer Festival 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI)
Ship n’ Shore 2010 (New Buffalo, MI)
Rhapsody in Green 2010 (Elkhart, IN)
Niles River Fest 2010 (Niles, MI)
The Foundry Theater (South Haven, MI)
Bells Brewery (Kalamazoo, MI)
The Livery (Benton Harbor, MI)
Founders (Grand Rapids, MI)
New Holland Brewery (Holland, MI)
Shorts Brewery (Bellaire, MI)
Mission Point Resort (Mackinac Island, MI )
The Loading Dock (Traverse City, MI)
CZARS 505 (St. Joseph, MI)
The Intersection (Grand Rapids, MI)
The Stray Dog (New Buffalo, MI )
And many more…
The following are Struwin's various musical outfits:
Red Hot Rivet
They’re all smokin’ players and songwriters in their own right, and they hail from the borderlands between the dystopian rust of dying industrial towns and bucolic rural Midwestern America. Like the molten iron pegs holding together all that remains of the bridge between those two worlds, they’re Red Hot Rivet, and their sound embodies that urban/rural populist dichotomy: Bluegrass, blues and soul pistons firing full tilt in an American-made rock n’ roll engine. Mike Struwin has toured heavily throughout North America in support of his nine independently released records, garnering praise from a variety of critics. He was bestowed the title of "Kalamazoo Acoustic Idol" in 2004 and has shared the bill with The Doobie Brothers, Robert Bradley’s Black Water Surprise, and Greensky Bluegrass, and shared the stage alongside Umphrey’s Mcgee and The David Crosby Band.
Lukas Simpson also comes with an impressive resume, being a founding member of international barn burners Goldmine Pickers. He penned their 2006 song “Conversation’s Free” which was the soundtrack to an international ad campaign by Nissan, and either with the Pickers or solo has appeared on the bill with headliners as diverse as Old Crow Medicine Show, Mickey Hart, and The Waybacks.
Allen Bates is a Kalamazoo, MI native whose talents on resonator guitar, banjo, pedal steel, mandolin and guitar have been a core component of several influential groups throughout his career. He has shared the stage with Alison Krauss and Union Station, Guy Clark, Los Lobos, Wynona Judd, Frankie Ballard and Bill Monroe and was a member of Sweetcorn, Greensky Bluegrass, Haywire, Smokin’ Grass, and Los Bandits, and is a go-to session player nationwide.
Needless to say, the creative interaction between Struwin, Simpson and Bates produces a rare opportunity to create something greater than the sum of its parts, buoyed by impeccable musicianship and songwriting talent. But despite the obvious acoustic and traditional flavors, electric rock ‘n roll is a core component to the Red Hot Rivet sound. As Simpson puts it, “This band fulfills the need to rock”.
And rock they do. With a revolving rhythm section composed of the region’s best hired guns, Red Hot Rivet is probably one of the most aptly-named bands you’ll encounter.
Mikael Naramore President, Terrestrial Records
Mike Struwin & The Rootsdown Band.
“Music the way it used to be, like you’ve never heard before”
Great vocals, soulful songwriting and kinetic jam based improvisation just collided. The resulting big bang has given birth to a supernova of a band. Mike Struwin & The Rootsdown Band have a unique hook laden sound you won’t forget. Their magical blend of lyrically driven crowd-pleasing songs and spirited musicianship is rapidly catching fire. It is a story of two great things that just got better together.
Singer, lyricist, and natural born front man Mike Struwin established himself with a soaring voice, exceptional song crafting, critically acclaimed solo CD’s, non-stop touring, and soul drenched live performances. The Rootsdown Band (formerly Fillmore’s Ladder) was a talent rich powerhouse jam band rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the Midwest’s hottest up and coming live acts. Their all star line up of musicians forged intense chemistry playing together for 12 years in several popular Midwest bands like High Street, Driftwood, and Night Moves. Both Struwin and Fillmore’s Ladder were making their own waves when they crossed paths at a jam. As they played together they were swept up into a tsunami of sound that took them to entirely new musical shores. Mike Struwin & The Rootsdown Band was born, and the resulting sound surge is now flooding the Midwest with infectiously fun high energy music. Roots rich music that is as deep as it is dynamic, as hook laden as it is free-wheeling. At long last the world has a jam band whose songs and vocals are as exceptional as their musicianship.
watch promo vid on youtube
Maxon Struwin
A collaboration project between friends, singer/songwriters Ty Maxon and Mike Struwin joined forces in the spring/summer of 2009. Both musicians taking their own musical path, Maxon Struwin is a rare meeting of the minds. Channeling the spirit of Country, Americana, Roots, Rock and Folk music, these two songwriters are known to captivate crowds with their original indie/alt-country sound. Currently residing in Chicago, IL, Ty Maxon is creating quite the buzz in the windy-city. His most recent effort, Furthest from the tree, was called one of the best folk releases of 2008 by independentmusic.com and received radio play on NPR's “The Back Porch.” With a sound all his own, Ty Maxon is often categorized with musical legends like Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young and Patsy Cline.
Although a Maxon Struwin show is few and far between, these two gifted and talented songwriters enjoy sharing their tunes every now and then, so be sure to check them out when they come around !!
http://www.myspace.com/tymaxon
Pura Vida
Pura Vida formed in the wake of Struwin's graduation from WMU back in 2004. Reuniting with long time friend and bandmate Devin Lesneski, Mike and Devin aspired to create high-energy music that would make people dance. Enlisting the help of highschool friends, Mark Schilling, Josh Bolt and Tom Johnson, Pura Vida became known as "St. Joe's Hometown Favorite". Although the band does not tour regularly. The boys from Pura Vida have made it a tradition to get together every year around the 4th of July and play at Czars 505, the local watering hole in their hometown of St. Joseph, Michigan.
