Artist Bio
Influences: bob dylan, loudon wainwright, beatles, richard thompson, grateful dead/jerry garcia, frank sinatra (& all the jazz standards he sang by gershwin, cole porter, rogers & hart, harold arlen, etc etc), john prine, dan bern, hank williams, tom lehrer, allen sherman, miles davis, tomorrow's headlines, yesterday's obituaries, politics, current events, ancient events, & more
I've in New York City ,and have participated in FAWM every year since 2006. I play acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin, bass, harmonica, a bit of dobro and banjo, etc. I write a mix of the serious & comic, and sometimes (just sometimes) some topical/political songs.
I have two older cds from back in 2000-2008 on CD Baby (which is now defunct, there's other places to find them, contact me if you want)
More recent projects, since 2012, are on bandcamp (mostly all free or pay-what-you-want (and free is fine!)-
Check out the many albums at-
https://mikeskliar.bandcamp.com/
From the older ones, there's one very different project I should mention, "Chill on Chill" - an electronica-flavored virtual instrument album- a big departure for me- an all-instrumental groovefest, and hopefully alot of fun, especially as you don't have to hear me sing! Its at https://mikeskliar.bandcamp.com/album/chill-on-chill
Finally, the last few years I've been part of a collaborative musical project, "Seth & Skliar" with a good friend of mine who is a NYC Cabdriver- our debut album from 2016 is a combination of spoken word, songs, poems & stories about NYC, cab driving, etc.. it's called "The Bards of Gridlock" - its great fun and a real trip!
https://sethskliar.bandcamp.com/album/the-bards-of-gridlock
what else?... he/him pronouns, ..........happy fawming everyone!
EDIT- March 4, 2022--- I took the 'best' of my 2022 FAWM songs, did a little re-writing, re-recording and re-mixing here and there, and put together a new album "Interesting Times" which is now on bandcamp..
https://mikeskliar.bandcamp.com/album/interesting-times
Songs (44)
Interesting Times
Soundboard
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@gm7 Apr 2022
sent you an email
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@psyt Mar 2022
Thanks for the comment on The Leash, Mike. :)
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@johnstaples Mar 2022
Hey Mike! Thanks for your comments on Dead Night! But, no, there will not be a happy ending (or any hope) for that one! :)
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@greengrassgirl Mar 2022
Mike, Thanks for your comments on The Human Condition. Glad you liked it. Your post brought me here where I found Pathway Home. Very relatable. I especially liked this:
But when that roller coaster starts going downhill
It feels different, the passage of time -
@elainedimasi Mar 2022
Thanks! I had to take a two-day break from listening but I am coming to check your board asap!
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@liz561 Mar 2022
Thanks for your comment on my lyric History Lesson. I have been working on setting it to music, and added a bridge referencing sunflowers rising from every field. I appreciate your encouragement.
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@wrenarcher Mar 2022
Hi Mike. Thanks for taking the time to listen to my “Winter of 1891” song. I really appreciate the kind words and compliments you gave on it. Thank you!
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@elesimo Mar 2022
I'm listening to your album on Bandcamp... so good! Every song is my favorite! :)
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@guatecoop Mar 2022
Hey Mike! Did you want any drums on songs? If not, no worries. I have an advantage this year of being able to record any time now….
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@angelinapowersuit Mar 2022
Mike, thank you thank you for your comments on "Let's Sit. . .," I always feel so accomplished when you give it two thumbs up! Seriously! Yeah, it was just one of those songs where the lyrics just gush out in like 10 minutes and then you look back and think, How'd that happen? It seems that happens to you every time. But some of my songs, it's painstaking to grasp even a specific word. Oh well, it wouldn't be so fun if it was too easy, right? Congrats on your magic # 44 :-)
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@williamhaight Feb 2022
Thanks for the kind words on Gazpacho Police. Love your stuff! Really nice guitar and harmonica. Great lyrics. You got it all! I loved 'the milk of human kindness ...curdles'.
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@actualjulian Feb 2022
Glad to have connected with you here Mike! Let's stay in touch! May the FAWM be with you ALWAYS
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@daveyboy103 Feb 2022
People who think the world as it is now is the world as it has always been are dangerously deluded. That's the basis of the song and lyrics but I fear it falls on deaf ears.
Thanks for the positive feedback. -
@corinnecurcio Feb 2022
Thanks Mike re: music memo. I also have iPhone SE with GarageBand so I’m fine to use that. Your app sounded quicker and less fussy!
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@sherrycanary Feb 2022
Mike
So glad you stopped by and made all those wonderful comments.
Means a lot to me -
@corinnecurcio Feb 2022
Hey Mike - You mentioned using a Music Memo app - Which one is it that you use? I don't see that exact name in the app store. Thanks
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@sherrycanary Feb 2022
Hey Mike
Impressive output.
As I have mentioned before, you were the first FAWMer I listened to in 2009, and more special is that we met and connected at FAWMstock
Hope you will come by and say hi before it's time to say goodbye. -
@goldarrow Feb 2022
Hi Mike, I appreciate your time and comments on Broken Pieces. Thanks!
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@trolls2 Feb 2022
hi Mike thanks for your comments on 'the veselka' i think i remember kibbutzing about the UWS last hear! I lived vicariously through a friend who ate at veselka this summer!! haven't been back to NYC since the summer of 2019. I do remember the B+H dairy and the 2nd ave deli but not the israeli place-there was also angelika's herb store. Hope to have time to listen to some of your other songs!
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@hoppiern Feb 2022
Thanks so much for your kind comments on my song - I really appreciate them!
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@elesimo Feb 2022
Hi, Mike! I love the lyrics, I'll work on them tonight! Thanks for reaching out for a collab. :)
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@zecoop Feb 2022
When I have the 4-tracks I just make sure whoever I am picking doesn’t already have the song. If everyone has someone then you can always just post it on your own. There is no one right way, haha
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@zecoop Feb 2022
That was fantastic. Turned into such a great song!
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@zecoop Feb 2022
I think you both picked duggaensis for collabs, so maybe change yours to chinacat so that all four have it?
So complicated… I know, lol. FAWM-world problems -
@gwyn1234 Feb 2022
Thanks so much for what you said about There are Some Evil Bastards in This World...much appreciated...
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@kenficara Feb 2022
Thanks for the comments -- I think Lincoln only spoke that once at Cooper Union, so probably. I'm sure he could have used a drink after that.
(Also, I realized I had mistitled the song -- that's not a "Legitimate Political Discourse" song, given that it's factual and sane. It's an Illegal History song. Lincoln's speech would certainly make white supremacists uncomfortable.) -
@standup Feb 2022
Yep, Elesimo is playing bass. Fixed, thanks!
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@tuneslayer Feb 2022
You are correct sir, a slip jig indicates 9/8 time. Here's one of my favorites, "The Butterfly":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn4Qwr-xA4w
John Sayles made extensive use of The Butterfly in the soundtrack to "The Secret of Roan Inish", one of my favorite albums of Irish music for just laying back and relaxing. -
@metalfoot Feb 2022
Well spotted on the stolen chord progression!
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@raspberry33 Feb 2022
Hey, Mike - I'm loving your music. And impressed you've posted more than a full album so far. And what's cool about that is the variety. Bitcoin is bull is my favorite so far.
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@billwhite51 Feb 2022
i would love to hear what you do with it
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@daveyboy103 Feb 2022
Your wish is my command, I tracked down the lyrics.
Thanks for the kind comments -
@daveescoffery Feb 2022
Thanks for your comment on Old Punks Don’t Die. Sadly, I’ve never been to a show at the 9:30 myself, but I did manage to get to CBGBs back in the 90s before they shut down (because I’m a middle aged punk more so than an old one!).
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@guatecoop Feb 2022
Goodness Mike....I DO know your last name, but I just needed to sssslllllooowwwww down. It's fixed.
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@berni1954 Feb 2022
Hi Mike, glad you liked my Polysemy challenge song.
The instrument I play on that one is a Tenor Ukulele (with a Low G as opposed to the re-entrant High G of most Ukuleles.) Off to edit the page to reflect that. -
@guatecoop Feb 2022
Oh goodness Mike! It was late and I was in a rush. Sorry about that! I’ll fix it
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@guatecoop Feb 2022
I just put up a better mix
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@sw1n3flu Feb 2022
cheers for comment - I use alternate tunings so often seems a bit daft to tag ... actually yeah makes sense ok will do, duh!
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@cts Feb 2022
Well congratulations on the win, my dude! I'm behind on commenting, but I'll be back shortly to take a listen. By the way, you've got mail
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@headfirstonly Feb 2022
Ta for the comment. That's a classic "lead synth" patch, played on Arturia's emulation of the ARP 2600 from their V Collection. It stays in pitch a lot more reliably than my hardware ARP Odyssey does, that's for sure. The usual weapon of choice used for that tone in prog is the Minimoog, used by Emerson and Wakeman and many, many others.
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@n24 Feb 2022
Thanks so much for the lovely comment and watch, I’ve been really enjoying your stuff :)
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@stephenwordsmith Feb 2022
Hi Mike. Thought that one might be right up your Tin Pan Alley. She's yours. Thank for reading and commenting.
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@sorby69 Feb 2022
Hey Mike! Thanks for the lovely feedback about my "Who's shaking the jar?" song. I've never managed to do a protest/political song without injecting a bit of humour. It sort of "sugars the pill", eh? :)
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@dutch1967 Feb 2022
Thanks for commenting on My '71. The closest we (in Yurp) could get to a pony car.
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@samplebandit Feb 2022
hi! thanks for checking my 4th tune (God Complex) :) glad you enjoyed!!
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@angelinapowersuit Feb 2022
Thanks so much Mike! It was hard. Once I added drums I realized other things were off so I basically had to redo everything on top of trying to figure out the drums. Anyway, glad you appreciate it, and I'm glad you know the kids are alright, they really are :-)
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@jeustan Feb 2022
Thank you! I appreciate the comment/listen on Quitter.
You were close! The spicy chord is a Cm(maj7)13 shape. Played with the capo on the second fret it's Dm(maj7)13. -
@klyma Feb 2022
Thanks so much for your kind words. Nice t' make yer acquaintance.
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@daveyboy103 Feb 2022
Most of the time. :)
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@babs77 Feb 2022
thanks for your kind comments on my protest song! :) I also hope to hear it sung by lots of people in the streets!
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@mightyq Feb 2022
Thanks for your suggestion for my Scopes song. I just might add a little something at the end.
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@jeff9 Feb 2022
Thank you, Mike, for the generous comments you made for "What About Me". You are too kind.
BTW, you might be in the running for most eclectic influences list! -
@cts Feb 2022
Thanks for taking the time to listen to the track. Very much appreciated. Your harp skills will be needed soon. I'm just a wee bit behind with what I wanted to do (work-related stuff tends to do that, right). But you'll have it soon.
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@shallowcarrot Feb 2022
Thanks for your kind words on my song 'Stranger - Part 1' :)
I haven't heard anything from the band you mentioned (though I've heard their name), but I'll check them out! -
@rwhosings Feb 2022
Thank you! I would like to figure out a full set of instruments to back this someday, but I’m glad my accapella mess is engaging to listen to as well.
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@drivelmonk Feb 2022
Thanks for the tape! Looking forward to it.
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@theodamus Feb 2022
Thank you so much for the comment! I don’t know why I started a “musical stutter” but I dug it so I kept it ️ Glad it worked for your ears too, great to see you back!
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@angelinapowersuit Feb 2022
Hi there! I think I'm going to do this. . . at least 1, haha. Actually sat down and wrote it last night thanks to you :-) But seriously - thank you for the nudge, I didn't think I had it in me. Now I hope some of the technical stuff comes back to me. . .
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@coolparadiso Feb 2022
its close i thought it was artistic license. in scent he says ill show you out of order
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@lhcisco Feb 2022
Thanks man. Hope everything is well. Good luck!
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@donna Jan 2022
Hi Mike. Seems we've known each other forever here.
Have a great FAWM! -
@billwhite51 Jan 2022
looking forward to your new songs
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@rwhosings Jan 2022
Thanks! I hope they help me keep a good momentum.
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@max Jan 2022
Hey there Mike.
Ready Steady ...........FAWM! -
@antlion Jan 2022
thanks, you too! :D
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@karlsburg25 Jan 2022
Happy fawm matey
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@lmr Jan 2022
Mike, bards of gridlock is awesome! Would take your cab over an uber any day! thanks for the welcome!
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@tjeff Jan 2022
Thanks Mike!! Happy FAWMing, and see ya around!
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@cloudboy Jan 2022
Happy FAWM, Mike!
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@hamiltonpoolhall Jan 2022
Hey Mike! Looking forward to another FAWM! Sending you this message in part to see if my profile is actually active yet...
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@stevonnie Jan 2022
Thanks for the welcome! (And, ooh, I should add Allan Sherman to my influences.)
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@mikegtz Jan 2022
Hey, Mike, best wishes in the new year!
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@timfatchen Jan 2022
Class of 2006 really does rock, Mike. That being the class that gave me most encouragement when I started in 2007, with @mikeskliar prominent, I might gratefully add.
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@debs Jan 2022
MIKE WE ARE AVATAR BUDDIES! Want to try this? https://fawm.org/forums/topic/12255/
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@davidtaro Jan 2022
Cheers Mike! Can’t wait to hear what you cook up next month :)
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@cts Jan 2022
Sounds good, my dude. I'm still tinkering around with the idea for Wacha's compilation project. I'm thinking something along the lines of a straight groove Neville Brothers style. Key of C perhaps? I'll hop in the studio later tonight or maybe tomorrow and then give you a better idea of what direction I'm headed. Thanks for responding, brohim. Much appreciated.
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@cloudcolor Jan 2022
Hello, fellow New Yorker! Thank you for the kind welcome.
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@tamsnumber4 Jan 2022
Hope you are ready to create some magic!! Have a Great FAWM Mike!!
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@sunnymae Jan 2022
Hey neighbor!! Here we go again!
As always I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say about just about anything! Let it rip. :0) -
@fearlessflight2014 Jan 2022
Ha! Thanks Mike. Maybe I’ll try for another funny one this FAWM! Have a great Feb, looking forward to skirmishing with you.
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@corinnecurcio Jan 2022
Hi Mike - Hope all is well with you and Helen
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@pugetive Jan 2022
Good to see you again and looking forward to hearing your work next month!
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@zecoop Jan 2022
Typing late is bad. Why didn't I just copy paste!?!?!! I knew your name but my fingers didn't want to help.
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@writeandwrong Jan 2022
Happy FAWM 2022!! Hope you are well! :)
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@fearlessflight2014 Jan 2022
Great to see you back again!
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@chipwithrow Jan 2022
Good to see you back here, too! My first GD show was summer '86 Cincinnati, but I didn't much get it. By Alpine Valley the following summer I was on the bus.
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@fuzzy Jan 2022
Hey, good to see you again at FAWM!
You mentioned seeing Richie Havens; it reminded me that I'd seen him too at a giant Woodstock 25th anniversary thing. To this day he is the most powerful and riveting solo performer I've ever seen.
Didn't get to actually talk to him, though.
Thanx for reminding me of that great memory! -
@cts Jan 2022
Mike, my man - good to see you back too! Hope is well and happy FAWMing!
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@sorby69 Jan 2022
Thank you Mike! Have a great FAWM.
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@erikdidriksen Jan 2022
Great to be back! Always a pleasure to see you 'round these parts; can't wait to hear what you come up with this February.
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@onceandfuturegabi Jan 2022
Great to see you here! Looking forward to hearing what you put out this year.
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@standup Jan 2022
Great to have another 4-track user around…
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@metalfoot Jan 2022
Great to be back and great to see you back!
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@stephenwordsmith Jan 2022
Mazel Tov, Mike. Always a pleasure to be here, and also to see you here.
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@petemurphy Jan 2022
That would be ace, Mike! Would love to collab with you again.
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@elainedimasi Jan 2022
Hi Mike! You always have a great FAWM, but I'll give ya the benediction anyway :-) Too bad I can't see you all in person this year, that would be even more fun :-)
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@coolparadiso Jan 2022
Indeed Mike! Enjoy!
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@hummingbear Jan 2022
Have a wonderful FAWM!
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@petemurphy Jan 2022
Mike!
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@swampjaw Jan 2022
Hey -- good to see you too!