Artist description Having spent 12 years as a classical pianist and 8 years as a producer, songwriter, and touring musician, Mikhail has developed a style defined by rhythmic piano lines, soaring vocals, and unforgettable melodies.

Music Style Piano-based Pop/Rock

Musical Influences Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, Edwin McCain

Similar Artists Vanessa Carlton, Dashboard Confessional

Artist History "I was raised on the classics," Gavin laughs from behind the piano in his Nashville-based recording studio. "You know... Tiffany, Bananarama... Wham... With two older sisters fully embracing the 80's, I was screwed from the start... I mean c'mon, I recorded 'Let's Hear It For The Boy' back to back on a cassette so I wouldn't have to waste time rewinding it between listenings... How sad is that?" With a tongue-in-cheek candor characteristic of his stage performance, Gavin happily owns up to his sketchy musical past and subtly underscores just how far he's come. Whereas some artists would have been permanently scarred by such bleak musical beginnings, he learned to build on those early pop influences, creating a sound today as powerful as it is beautiful. Equal parts Vanessa Carlton and Dashboard Confessional, Gavin's songs are driven by rhythmic piano, soaring vocals, and unforgettable melodies, truly capturing the listener from start to finish. Gavin began his musical career at the age of 7, studying classical piano and pipe organ under the watchful eye of his mother, an unrelenting force when it came to the artistic endeavors of her children. As a result of her focus, he was winning regional piano competitions by 10 and performing organ in churches by 12. By the time he was a freshman at Purdue, Gavin had begun fronting bands, and upon graduating, made the decision to pursue music. "Ironically, I was graduating with a degree in finance," he smiles. "And, don't get me wrong, finance is great. But, I wanted to be a stockbroker about as much as I wanted rickets... Sensing my 'loss of direction,' my parents kept hoping that maybe a random love of dentistry would appear out of nowhere. But yeah... that never materialized..." And so, acting on instinct alone, Gavin packed up and moved to Nashville. It was hard going at first, but within months, he had landed a job in the A&R department at Giant Records and began experiencing the inner-workings of the music industry. While at the label, he filled his free time writing with and producing pop artist Sally Anthony, and upon the release of her first album, he quit Giant to go on tour. Throughout the next two years, they shared the stage with artists such as Barenaked Ladies, Oasis, The Black Crowes, Christina Aguilera, and The Wallflowers, and the Mikhail/Anthony penned songs were downloaded over 140,000 times from mp3.com. In one 4-week period alone, seven of the songs were firmly stationed on the mp3 Top 40 chart, edging out songs by artists such as Pink, Nelly, Madonna, and Michelle Branch. Breaking ties with Sally in late 2001, Gavin refocused on his own music, releasing "My Personal Beauty Needs" in the spring of 2002. Said to be "a truly original sound" by industry heavyweights, the songs quickly found a home on pop radio. Building on that exposure, Gavin spent the remainder of the year putting a band together and playing shows throughout the southeast. "I've finally found a group of guys who understand my vision for each song," he states. "And I think it shows onstage." With a score of new songs currently being recorded for his follow up album, Gavin will spend the remainder of 2003 hitting the road and winning over fans and critics alike. "Music is my life," he says. "Feeling the crowd connect with what I do inspires me to write songs that return the favor - I love it."

Instruments Piano, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Strings, Keyboards, Vocals

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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