Michael’s Discography
The following is a selected discography of album projects I’ve worked on in various capacities. While incomplete, it’s representative of the type of work I do. Each album contains a clickable link to that artist’s online purchase page.
Engineering, Mixing, Mastering, and/or Producing
Seumas Gagne: Baile Árd
Scottish harper Seumas Gagne's debut solo album contains gorgeous lever harp, Scottish Gaelic singing, but expands that palette with cello, violin, a full choir, and some genre-busting surprises as well! This album was a blast to work on. I recorded and mixed it here at the studio, mastered by Rick Fisher at RFI Mastering.
Rootsy trio Coyote Grace's fifth album Now Take Flight expands on the band's earlier albums, adding more electronic and conceptual elements while maintaining the core sound that has made the band a touring success for the past six years. I produced, recorded, and mixed this album at Empty Sea.
This wonderful debut album by Seattle harp player and vocalist Molly Bauckham features classic songs and tunes from the British Isles as well as an original or two! Molly's gorgeous lever harp playing and singing anchor this album, aided and abetted by cittern, guitar, flute, and percussion. I recorded, mixed and mastered this album at Empty Sea.
Singer-songwriter Aimée Ringle used our live recording package program to create this beautiful album of original music based on a live concert at Empty Sea. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Empty Sea Studios.
Singer-songwriter Joe McKinstry’s debut solo album Route 70 is set along that two-lane highway that stretches from Philadelphia almost to the Jersey Shore, heading straight into the heart of the middle of nowhere and the home of the Jersey Devil himself…the Pine Barrens. That oft-forgotten area of the country is still considered a Philadelphia suburb, but it’s a long 35 mile trek that takes you into a completely different world away from the hustle of Center City.
I produced and engineered this album at Empty Sea, and played piano, violin and electric bass on it as well.
Rootsy singer-songwriter Jeremy Serwer's album of originals. I produced, engineered, and mixed this album at Empty Sea, and played piano, Hammond organ, mandolin, and violin. Roads received a CDBaby Editor's Pick award.
String teacher and youth educator Shulamit Kleinerman spearheaded this wholly unique album showcasing elementary school kids singing medieval and renaissance music. Featuring violin, vielle, hurdy-gurdy, viola da gamba and range of historically correct percussion, this album was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Empty Sea.
Bluegrass and beyond. I recorded and mixed this album at Empty Sea and co-produced it with Matt Sirceley (Hot Club Sandwich).
The Toy Box Trio's inaugural studio album, featuring concertina, toy piano, tuba, cello, and (at times) typewriter. Recorded and mixed at Empty Sea.
Fingerstyle guitarist Laura Silverstein recorded this album of Christmas tunes with me over just a few days at Empty Sea.
Rootsy folk duo Coyote Grace's inaugural album. Tracked at Malamute Studios, mixed by me at Empty Sea.
Old-time power couple Jason & Pharis Romero traveled from Vancouver, B.C. to California to record this anthology of old-time fiddle tunes with a variety of fiddlers. I recorded the Seattle fiddle players here at Empty Sea.
Brownesville Highway
Folksy duo from the Peninsula! I engineered, mixed, and mastered this album at Empty Sea.
The Toy Box Trio was commissioned to compose and perform a piece for this compilation album. I engineered and mixed their track.
I engineered and mixed this single for Martha Scanlan (Reeltime Travelers) at Empty Sea. Dirk Powell accompanies Martha on banjo.
Progressive folk with banjo, fiddle, guitar, and (dare I say it) synth bass, capped off with the beautiful vocals of Cera Impala. Recorded and mixed in Berlin, mastered by Michael Connolly at Empty Sea Studios.
As a Session Musician
Prog rock / jazz/ fusion by Trey Gunn (King Crimson) and Marco Minnemann. I played uilleann pipes and violin on this album.
And I quote: "The golden ratio of crestfallen Americana, North American folklore and shoegaze indiepop." (12rec.net). I played harp and violin for this album.
Singer/songwriter Amber Darland's beautiful debut LP. I played piano, guitar, and mandolin on this one.
Americana / roots. I played piano, accordion, Hammond organ and fiddle on this album, which was recorded at Jack Straw Studios by Moe Provencher.
Beautiful solo album by Kentuckian Carla Gover, whom I met when she brought the house down at her Empty Sea concert debut. I played uilleann pipes on the track "Hold On" on this album.
Bluegrass-band-turned-electric-jamfest Captain Gravel released this EP showing off their new sound. I played Hammond.
The second full-length album by the California-based duo, recorded at Prairie Sun Studios in Cotati, CA. I played fiddle, mandolin, concertina, piano, Rhodes, and Hammond organ on this album.