53rd Degree’s blog

Booked into a recording studio for a sixteenth birthday present, Michael Mallinson cut his first demo of the song he had written 2 weeks before. Amazed at the maturity of his voice, the recording studio offered to support him in his development eventually placing a team of world-class musicians behind him. Included in the line-up are Kenneth Higgins, who appears on Corinne Bailey Rae’s multi-platinum debut album and Chris Dawkins, whose credits include Nightmares on Wax and the Oceans 11 soundtrack.

By his seventeenth birthday, Michael had already written and recorded enough material to release his debut EP. In an explosive show on the 30th November 2007 at the Wardrobe nightclub Leeds, Michael and his band wowed a small audience of a few hundred people.

Since then Michael has done a stream of gigs across the UK supporting artists as varied as Jay May at Matt & Phreds in Manchester and the New Model Army on the final leg of their international tour. Michael has also wowed radio listeners with acoustic performances on both BBC radio Leeds and the BBCs Raw Talent show where he scored an amazing 60% of the vote. Michael has also garnered interest from both the head of Colombia Records UK and the team of writers behind Paolo Nutini & Dido who are keen to write material with him.

Stunning record execs and gig goers alike with his fresh and soulful sound, Michael Mallinson is gaining a faithful following with his own blend of Indie Soul.

When you look at Michael Mallinson's Myspace page, it states plain and clear that this 17 year old is Indie / Soul. Indie and Soul? Is that possible.

Actually, yes it is! Had he found his way through to the light via a singing contest, they would definitely have him crooning, bratting and souling his way into the final. In the natural world, though, a bouncy indie sound permeates, playing host to Michael's incredible voice.

'Pick Up The Pieces' bobs along with snappy acoustic guitar and a punchy beat. It's an up-beat lighthouse that's bang up to date (or even slightly

ahead) sounding a bit like Plain White Ts, except for the voice.

The soulful element is even more apparent in 'Too Late', with its 'That's Just The Way It Is' piano and shuffle beat. You simply wouldn't expect such a warm and mature voice from someone so young and it's amazingly genuine and sincere.

Michael is poised to throw himself at the music business and I thoroughly recommend he perseveres through whatever setbacks the industry throws at him. With this amount of talent, you have to make it eventually!

Written by Steven Fenton - The Mag.

"Absolutely fantastic"

Chris Martin, The Sound of Yorkshire

"You simply wouldn't expect such a warm and mature voice from someone so young and it's amazingly genuine and sincere."

Steve Fenton, The-Mag

"Arctic Monkey's vocal stylings give way to post millennium Brit Soul acoustics. It's all very nicely executed and will definitely appeal to pop loving girlies..."

Chris Wall, Mono magazine

"I like where you are going with Michael, I would love a great white soul singer on the roster"

Mike Smith, Head of Columbia Records, UK

Monday 21/01/08 @ THE NEW ROSCOE, Me and My band will be slammin it!!! DONT MISS MY SPECIAL EVENT!!!! Hope everyone can make it.Start time 8.30 we have also heard from a good source that they will be some very important AR people in the place so if your wanting to plug your band this will be the place to be monday Dont miss it.

Monday 21/01/08 @ THE NEW ROSCOE, Me and My band will be slammin it!!! DONT MISS MY SPECIAL EVENT!!!! Hope everyone can make it.Start time 8.30 we have also heard from a good source that they will be some very important AR people in the place so if your wanting to plug your band this will be the place to be monday Dont miss it.

HI 53rd Degree Records would like to invite all music loving people to Michael Mallinsons EP launch party.This is to be held at the Wardrobe night club on the 30th of November. This is going to be a night to remember so if you are around please call in and enjoy a good nights entertainment. Start time 8pm till 12pm dont be late.

Michael Mallinson the 17 year-old, Bradford born & Halifax bred singer-songwriter has always been around music. In fact it would be hard for him to escape it, with both sides of his family having some form of involvement in the industry. His grandfather, Dave ‘Mally’ Mallinson is well known as a folk-musician and worked hard to build up a business selling musical instruments, eventually writing and publishing music books. His mother Michelle had always been a singer and it was on her piano that he used to learn standards such as Beethoven’s Fur Elise and Joplin’s Entertainer. Yet it wasn’t until his 14^th birthday, when he was given an electric guitar that he began to think properly about learning an instrument. “I have always sung though” says Michael proudly, “ever since I was a nipper”.

            So Michael began to practice guitar, drawing his influences from many different genres. He would listen to artists as varied as Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Arctic Monkeys & Dr Dre, steadily developing his playing skills, exploring the music he loved. By the age of 15 he had begun writing songs on his new acoustic guitar. Then as a surprise his mother booked him into a recording studio for his 16^th birthday to record his first demo. Through the nervous energy of that first performance, the studio recognised a unique talent within him and offered to support him in his development. Given access to such resources, Michael pushed his creativity further and increased his song writing output, amassing an album of material.

When asked recently where he gathered inspiration Michael replied “from everyday life and being with my friends. I write about events that are happening in peoples lives or my own”.            These words alone speak a maturity in Michael that is sometimes not apparent in people twice his age. Expressing this maturity through his song writing, the result is a stunning delivery and a truly honest representation of his feelings.

            Unfortunately not everyone has been supportive of Michael. His college gave him an ultimatum; choose between them or his music. “It was an easy decision…. music is my life” reflects Michael, “I chose to leave and put everything into my music”. Still, he realises that nothing is certain in the music game, and he is already making plans to go back into education, at a different college. Eventually he intends to start his own business. “It has always been an ambition of mine to make a career out of music”.

            Michael also has dreams of success on stage; he would love to play at Glastonbury as he really enjoys gigging and says the feeling he gets from being on stage is indescribable. He is also heavily into the local scene and would love to support Little Man Tate as they are one of his favourite bands.

            When asked how he felt his development had gone with the studio Michael replied, “It has been amazing. I never thought I would ever get the chance to work with the standard of musicians that they brought in”. Artists such as Kenny Higgins, who featured on Corinne Bailey Rae’s multi-platinum debut album and Earl Tu Tu, who’s credits include Lonnie Liston Smith, Detrimental and Nightmares On Wax were among the world class musicians that were drafted in to aid Michael with his development.

            And has playing with world-class musicians changed him? “No way! The people that are important to me will always be my friends and family. After all, they’re my inspiration”.

One of our associates played Michaels tracks to someone within the industry. People are getting excited over this young boy. The guy wants to setup meetings once he gets back from LA. this should be an interesting couple of weeks at 53rd Degree....

We have just had the most amazing experience of a young artist dropping his vocal for his debut EP. The atmosphere was electric. We're still pretty hyped here as you can probably tell. We'll be keeping you updated on all the happenings...