“Flickering, a buoyant composition showcasing that Mickelson’s offers undeniable musical charm and instrumental dexterity. - GLIDE MAGAZINE”
INTERVIEW IN RHYTHMS MAGAZINE - AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND “duo” TOUR in February
EUROPE TOUR 2023
SINGLE/VIDEO PREMIERE
“Propelled by an urgent rhythm and insistent instrumentation, ‘Jump Off the Earth’ is a hypnotic adventure, an experimental soundscape that becomes a soaring anthem about the passage of time. ” - AmericanaUK
“his music is highly original, incorporating strains of Americana and folk and mixing them with punky attitude, avant-garde adventurism and a good dose of self-depreciating wit.” - At The Barrier
UK/IR SUMMER TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT
LIVE REVIEWS FROM UK WINTER TOUR
“There are moments when songs wander off their beaten tracks and seem to turn into psychedelic jams, there are moments of poignancy, such as Unarmed American’s music on the gun laws of his US homeland, and there are songs that prove that just because he swaps the guitar for the banjo, which he does a lot, the result doesn’t have to be bluegrass or country or roots but just adds another twist on this grand, graceful genre-defying pop he makes. Pop, which by any other name still sounds as sweet.” Swindonian
“A lovely vibe from a widely & globally appreciated artist, it was inspiring, actually, & really nice to see some quality art within the songcraft medium. I will definitely be listening to Scott’s oeuvre from now on.” MumbleMusic
“This evening we enjoyed around an hour of intriguing and inspiring music with some stimulating lyrical content... I’d encourage you to make the effort to attend before this artist returns home to America's West coast.” Maximum Volume
NEW SINGLE “Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head” released Jan. 1, 2023
UPCOMING UK TOUR
GERMANY AND NETHERLANDS TOUR DATES 2022 (with Jon Buckett - piano and Lee Moulding - drums)
UK July Tour kicks off next week>
PRESS FROM EUROPE AND U.K. (2022)
HEAVEN “Album Of The Week” - “As far as I'm concerned, one of the most original talents from the United States is (Scott) Mickelson, who delivers his fourth album with Known To Be Unknown with enchanting roots rock that gives its own interpretation to the Americana genre.” - Heaven (Netherlands)
“MICKELSON has created a startling album with which he proves that he doesn't want to conform to any cliché. His lyrics show that he is serious about developments in his home country and with his music the man proves he has a knack for catchy songs. In addition, even after listening to it several times, you can hardly draw any really accurate comparisons to other musicians, which underlines MICKELSON's originality. Surprisingly strong!” - Musikreviews (Germany)
“Known To Be Unknown has become an album on which Mickelson is occasionally reminiscent of Warren Zevon andStan Ridgway, men with a critical view of American society and the ability to write songs that will stay with you forever. But it is Mickelson's strength that he dares to experiment with the achievements of his own musical past and seeks new ways to express himself.” - Lust For Life (Netherlands)
“Apparently, the lockdown has inspired a lot of artists, because Mickelson also wrote a lot of songs together in these difficult times. In his previous record, he gave a sneer at Trump. Now gun violence, the heavily divided changes to Covid-19 and the social aspects of daily life are the subjects. He therefore has a clear opinion on many subjects and does not shy away from the controversial. Not only does Mickelson diverge lyrically, but also musically he takes a hit. Banjo-influenced songs, electrified rock songs and an acoustic closing note form the basis for the release. And so, the turnaround is provisional for Scott Mickelson. 'Known To Unknown' is another excellent record. The nine songs contain all the musical ingredients needed to reach a wide audience. Highly recommended!” - Keys and Chords (Belgium)
“Roots music, yes, but the kind that rises twisted into view from a ground disturbed by too many storms.” - Ruta 66 (Spain)
“San Francisco singer/songwriter Mickelson brings us something that is both reassuringly familiar and yet wholly unique.” AtTheBarrier (U.K.)
Scott Mickelson pours a lot of heart and experience into his songs. After being GRAMMY-balloted in two categories for his 2015 album, ‘Flickering’, he continues his high quality output with this single and we can look forward to more engaging tunes next year.” - Americana U.K.
V13 VIDEO PREMIERE - “Today, we are reaping the benefits of Mickelson’s meditations on the world, with the debut of his new music video for “A Murder of Crows.” The song, which will be found on his forthcoming Known To Be Unknown album, is essentially Mickelson gathering his thoughts on the pandemic lockdown, and how much it divided everyone, and in some instances made previous friends enemies, based on their take on the whole crisis.” - V13
AMERICANA U.K. VIDEO PREMIERE - “The combination of the layered vocals and instrumental textures, along with a tune that feels immediately familiar, is that ‘UNarmed American’ becomes anthemic.” - Americana U.K. (full article)
NEW VIDEO/SINGLE - “UNarmed American” now available!
U.K. TOUR 2021 - I’m going to dust off my brain and get back to the U.K. in Feb., 2021. More info to come.
AMERICAN SONGWRITER PREMIERE - Mickelson Premieres Video With Fiery New Single, “Jagged Tooth”
A great article on the release of my forthcoming record and video. Full article here.
NEW ANIMATED VIDEO
MIX MAGAZINE - Great article on the “Blanket The Homeless” benefit compilation I produced and engineered.
VIDEO PREMIERE for “Odd Man Out” on GLIDE MAGAZINE
NEWS
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED!
I will be doing my first European Tour in October 2019. Here is the current itinerary, more dates to come!
REVIEWS OF “A WONDROUS LIFE” FROM EUROPE
”Here Mickelson demonstrates above all that he refuses the musical routine and uses his experience to persistently search for his own musical expression - instead of looking like his many colleagues in technically perfectly orchestrated, genre-conforming schemes salvation. The result is a fascinating mix of Americana sentiment and musical and production experiments that lead to that Mickelson's roots as an Americana-songwriter are just about to make their mark, but otherwise an absolutely unusual mix of New Wave, Folk and Power Pop elements surprises and captivates the listener’ - Gaesteliste
“Mickelseon does not moan or dramatize everyday banalities, but gives himself wisely with his deeply ravishing voice, without coming across with old wisdom. 'Crazy Is The Only Place For A Saint' is a slightly more positive bright spot in the mostly restrained hustle and bustle that doesn't want to fit into the Bay Area of San Francisco, from which Scott hails. 'When I Paint My Halo Gold' surprises with a slight grunge touch, whereas ' Bitter Sea ' gen Country tends to. These two tracks probably emphatically emphasize once again that "A Wondrous Life " has become a pan-American piece of music-and with its sobered undertone fits perfectly into the current social climate of the United States. Folk Rock is currently being played at every turn, but "A Wondrous Life " is one of the better releases in this area precisely because MICKELSON acts unexcitedly and can thus convey its most serious concerns all the more credibly. The instrumental background becomes almost beside the point.”
- MuzikReviews
“The garlands and arrows of unlimited happiness. In pop music a phenomenon of size. The American musician Scott Mickelson knows all about it. The stormy start of his career suggests that the trees grow up to the sky. Performances in renowned clubs, record deals with major record companies and concert programs with the big names in the pop industry. Suddenly the draft comes in, and after a period of declining interest, he turns completely away from the music world. At the instigation of his wife, he followed a course at the Art Academy in 2003, after which he wrote a children's book. Slowly but surely his musical inspiration returns. Scott has his own studio in which he records albums of befriended musicians. With a part of him in 2015, he records his solo album Flickering, which is well received. Also successor A Wondrous Life is an excellent record. The ten songs contain all the ingredients that are needed to reach a wide audience. In nine songs he tells about his observations in an entertaining way. Mickelson plays all the instruments himself on the drum parts and the wind instruments, while he also sits on the chair of producer. With the instrumental B. Wilson he pays tribute to Brian Wilson, frontman and phenomenal composer of The Beach Boys.” - Heaven Magazine (Netherlands)
“He shows a conviction that fits this type of music. Powerful but above all with the right degree of unconditionality that in this genre knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff. That he knows how to make the necessary ingenuity in his compositions and instrumentation is shown in "Hail Marys", one of the absolute highlights of the album.” - Johnny’sGarden (Netherlands)
MICKELSON PRODUCING NEW BENEFIT COMPILATION
I was honored to be asked to produce a benefit compilation record for the “Blanket The Homeless” organization who gives supplies and aid directly to those living on the street. 100% of the proceeds from the record and live shows will go to Blanket The Homeless. This roster includes: Fantastic Negrito, Con Brio, Brothers Comatose, The Stone Foxes, John Craigie, Tim Bluhm, Mickelson, King Dream, Tobias The Owl, Rainbow Girls, Whiskerman, Marty O’Reilly & The Old Soul Orchestra. Sessions are already underway…
MAGNET MAGAZINE - I was invited to create a virtual “Mixtape” for Magnet Magazine.
VENTS MAGAZINE - Interesting interview I did with Vents Magazine regarding the new record.
NO DEPRESSION “A Wondrous Life” MAGAZINE
I call it anthemic when a band or chorus hits all the notes just right and the sound becomes bigger than it should be and Mickelson hits it often enough on this album to make it worthy of the highest of recommendations. Each song makes its own point, from the spot-on harmonies of “Plastic, Vinyl & Leather”, the far-from-the-verse chorus of “Hail Marys” with its 'ditch the iPhone' step away from the modern world, the inserted brassy guitar on “Guard Dog”, the semi-jam ending of “When I Paint My Halo Gold”. (full review)
NEW NOISE MAGAZINE
A Wondrous Life premiere.
PRESS DEMOCRAT
Great newspaper article on the “After The Fire: Vol. 1” benefit and compilation shows I produced.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/entertainment/8104772-181/bay-area-musicians-band-together
PASTE MAGAZINE
Currently streaming “Plastic, Vinyl & Leather” - new single
“A powerfully anthemic single that finds the balance between strong, subtle, unexpected, and sophisticated. ”
“Plastic, Vinyl & Leather” - new single, NO DEPRESSION
TREBLE MAGAZINE PREMIERE
Premiere: Mickelson shares an anthem of determination on “Plastic, Vinyl & Leather”
RIFF MAGAZINE ARTICLE on “After The Fire Vol. 1”
http://www.riffmagazine.com/news/after-the-fire-vol-1/
SF WEEKLY ARTICLE - “Mickelson’s Album-Release Show Will Donate All Proceeds to Wildfire Relief”
“With a howling voice that echoes heartland heroes like Bruce Springsteen or John Mellencamp, Mickelson keeps it exciting on his latest “Hail Marys,” showing off power pop tendencies similar to Big Star while staying true to folk music spirit.” (full article)
“The Bay Area musician and producer takes the rustic nostalgia of Americana and combines it with elaborate full-band arrangements. Mixed with his narrative lyricism, Mickelson paints melodic visuals that feel like they’re in full technicolor”. (full article
MICKELSON PLAYS THE FILLMORE
Fantastic night playing the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco. (clip below)
