User:Lithistman/Michael and Marisa

Lithistman/Michael and Marisa

Michael and Marisa are a brother/sister pop rock duo from Boston, MA. Having opened for nationally renowned artists such as American Idol finalist David Archuleta, Disney’s Mitchel Musso and Nickelodeon’s Drake Bell, the siblings have performed at well over 200 shows nationwide at some of the country's largest venues. In June 2008, they released their debut album, Kickin’ It Together.

History

Born less than a year apart, Michael (born December 23, 1997) and Marisa (born December 31, 1996) have always looked and acted like identical twins — including sharing a love for music since an early age. Rather than building Lego towers, Michael made music with anything he could find to strike up some noise. At the young age of 3, he scribbled musical notes on coloring books and by age 4, he was stringing notes together and writing music. “His musical inclination and technical talents seemed very unusual," recalls his mother. According to his father, Michael had no interest in sports, trucks, or any toys, but showed early signs of real music ability. Following Michael’s insistence, his father signed them both up for guitar lessons so that they could bond while practicing. At only 6 years old, Michael’s guitar skills soared quickly. His guitar teacher and mentor, Billy Garzone said, "This kid is not normal. He really has a knack for it.” It wasn’t long before a 7-year-old Michael was playing covers of Buddy Holly and Creedence Clearwater Revival at open mic nights, music festivals and sports arenas, including a Jimi Hendrix version of the National Anthem at a Boston Celtics basketball game in front of 18,000 people.

Shortly thereafter, bored with the violin and eager to jam with her younger brother, Marisa soon began banging on the drums at age 8. She was no newcomer to the spotlight, having performed an ensemble role as Gretel in a production of The Sound of Music, among others. It quickly became apparent that this was more than just a hobby for both Michael and Marisa. They were good. And so the pop rock power duo was born.

Music Career

Michael and Marisa’s close harmonies have translated into winsome song craft. The duo continuously wins over audiences with their live energetic pop/rock tunes and talent. Many characterize the siblings as a cross between the garage rock pretend-brother-and-sister duo, The White Stripes , and a rock version of Donny & Marie Osmond.

With the release of their debut album of original songs, Kickin' It Together, siblings and best buddies, Michael and Marisa, get a kick out of touring and traveling together. With Michael on guitar and Marisa on drums, accompanied by their power pop/rock vocals and harmonies, they are eclectic, multi-talented, pure at heart, and unique to today’s bands. The two have over a dozen original songs and have performed over 100 cover songs by artists such as: The Beatles, Van Morrison, Bon Jovi, The Who, AC/DC, Avril Lavigne and Miley Cyrus. They are co-writers on 9 of the 12 songs on their debut CD. The album was recorded in New York and Boston and is co-produced by Emmy award winning songwriter, Amy Powers, and Billy Garzone, Boston producer and musical director of the Lisa Love Experience, a well-known Boston based band. The duo’s first CD, “Kickin’ it Together,” includes nine originals and contributions from “Hannah Montana” songwriter Jeannie Lurie and producer Amy Powers (“Sunset Boulevard” lyricist). The duo are writing new songs constantly and 10/09 released a new music video for their newest addition, “Mr. Know It All”. The songs for their next CD are being co-written by Gina Schock (drummer from the Go Go’s) and Ric Robbins (member of Kelly Clarkson’s band). Ms. Schock was one of the co-writers of the title track for the Miley Cyrus album, "Breakout". She also cowrote "Falling Down", "Kiss and Tell", "Stop and Erase", and "Crush" for Selena Gomez & the Scene's debut album "Kiss & Tell".

Michael and Marisa are managed by Aimee Berger of Primary Wave Music Publishing in New York, who also manage Steven Tyler, Hall & Oates, Earth Wind & Fire, Kurt Cobain and new bands such as Saving Abel. Their Booking/Marketing Manager is Patty Duffey of Lightning Consulting in Boston. She keeps them busy all year and in the summer books up to thirty local and national engagements.

Kickin’ It Together is bursting with high energy, catchy, and engaging pop/rock songs that draw you in and have you singing along after just one listen. According to Common Sense Media, a standout song is "I Think I'm Losing My Mind", “a rocking, train-beat-energized track, featuring both of them singing a double-harmony lead”.

Performing and writing songs together for the last three years, this double-bill team has performed over 230 engagements at well-known national venues, in dozens of cities such as: New York, Los Angeles, Providence, Nashville, Atlanta and Boston for crowds in the thousands. From being on the marquees on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip to being the youngest band to perform at Rocketown in Nashville, they are excited to continue rocking from coast to coast. They have opened for Disney and Nickelodeon national performers, and in December 2009 were the opening act for David Archuleta at the House of Blues in Boston. Additionally, the fall of 2010 they opened for Disney’s Mitchell Musso in Boston and NH. Engagement highlights include New York City’s Lincoln Center, Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre, Hard Rock Café, Whisky A Go Go Night Club, the CMJ Music Marathon in NYC, and the 2008 Camplified summer tour. On a local and regional level, they have performed at some of the best venues in the Northeast including the Boston Harborfest Concert, Radio 92.9 Earthfest, the Boston Pumpkin Festival, and have opened for several national performers. They are always up for “kickin' it together” on stage with a daily commitment to music and performing. Critics have commented, “The album songs deliver direct, positive, self-affirming messages, which teens and tweens can relate to”.

In the fall of 2008 Michael received an endorsement from Gibson Guitars and Marisa received an endorsement from Vic Firth the Spring of 2009.

Michael and Marisa have done performances to benefit many charities including The Starlight Children’s Foundation, The Jimmy Fund, Children’s Hospital, Doug Flutie Foundation, Toys for Tots, The Rodman Ride, and many others. They recently did a special performance for a young boy with a rare lung condition with all the proceeds being provided to the charity research fund.

They know the power of performing as the brother and sister soul mates that they are. Lyrics from their debut CD’s signature song sums up their attitude pitch perfectly : “Life’s always better, kickin’ it together. Different points of view, but I can be me with you!”

Discography

• October 2009: "Mr. Know It All", Studio single
• November 2008: "Rockin’ Radio"/"Happily Ever After", Two Song EP
• June 2008: Kickin’ It Together, Studio Album
• July 2006: "I Can’t Stop", Studio Single

Videography

• August 2008: "Rock U Now"/"Rockin’ Radio", Music Video
• December 2006: "I Can’t Stop", Music Video

Personal Life

Michael and Marisa are multi-taskers, going to school, rehearsing for their upcoming performances, attending their Tae Kwon Do and dance classes and still managing to find time to ride roller coasters, swim at their grandparents’ pool and hang out with their friends. “They are really close and would go to the ends of the earth for each other," says their mother. They have studied Tae Kwon Do for seven years, earning black belts after five. Marisa says she loves the feeling of breaking wood and swinging weapons around at her Tae Kwon Do classes, but when they are performing together they can’t get enough of it. Parents Steve and Janet say they don’t know where Michael and Marisa’s natural musical talents come from, as they aren’t musicians themselves, except to say they were simply music lovers from birth. "Performing is one of our favorite things," Michael explains, "We don't get sad and feel like we wasted our summer. The more performances, the better!"

Many assume the siblings, who talk freely and excitedly, are twins in looks and personality, but they are actually opposites. Marisa is driven and competitive and Michael is artsy and laid back. The two wrote the lyrics to their song “Me with You” to explain that even people who are opposite can be a good fit. They are always songwriting and are already working on their next album. When asked what they see in the future, they respond that they hope to “play concerts around the world.”

External Links

• http://www.michaelandmarisa.com
• Template:Myspace
• http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=101995