is "to be announced".

Mike Gaito Flashback!

Well, two weeks into 2007 and I am already behind in my resolution to blog everyday (well almost everyday at least).

Well, I aim to get back on track with this new series: Mike Gaito Flashback! Once a week or so (or whenever I don't have any other bloggy thoughts) I will post a fantastic picture from the past!

I found this shot while cleaning my studio this weekend:



It's me on the night of my high school graduation at our "cinema-themed" Senior Gala with none other than Danny Aiello. He lived in my hometown and one of the parents talked him into coming over and hanging with the kids for a bit. They also raffled off a car if you stayed until 6:30am. I think I won a six outlet power strip. I remember it being pretty fun.

Next time at my blog: Music News or My Thoughts of Cryptozoology

My first Beard of Bees review!

I just received word that Beard of Bees was reviewed in the "Short Takes" section of Minor7th.com's Jan/Feb '07 issue!
Minor7th.com's is an online magazine that reviews acoustic guitar music.

Here's what they said:

Mike Gaito "Beard of Bees," 2006
"Beard of Bees" buzzes with inspiration drawn from the far corners of folk, jazz, progressive rock and experimental pop. With the exception of drums, Gaito emerges as an eccentric one man band, plying his craft with an arsenal of electric/acoustic guitars, bass, and keyboards abetted with the sounds of loose change, hand claps, barley shakers, and whatever else happened to be lying around. The artist's tongue is oft planted firmly in cheek as evidenced in the quirky, stream of conscious diatribe "Giant Canoe" which proclaims "you let me soar like Aladdin/hit like Dan Gladden/talk like John Madden/sing like Mike Patton/play like the Mothers in '74." Odd time-signatures, swift-key changes, layered vocal harmonies, mind-blowing interplay, and a strong sense of storytelling abound through each of the fifteen epic tracks. I could envision Richard Thompson, the ghost of Frank Zappa, or Brian Wilson digging this record. © Tom Semioli

You can also check it out at the source:
Minor7th's Jan/Feb Short Takes

Sweet!!

Still waiting on about 79 other review possibilities! Very cool of Minor7th.com and Tom Semioli to be first!

"Mike is on the mend and decorating the house for Winter!"

First off, thanks for all the get well wishes. I am slowly on the mend.

And since I was feeling slightly better, I decided to spend most of the weekend outside in the freezing cold, dressed in only somewhat weather appropriate clothing I might add, decorating the house with Tracy!

I am really happy with how it came out and I wanted to share it with you good folks. This is the first year that we've done "snow lanterns" and I luv 'em!

Hope all is well and everyone is enjoying December so far!

Preorders have shipped and Beard of Bees is now available!

Well, the time has finally come! Beard of Bees is finally available! The kind folks that preordered will be getting their copies very soon (shipped Monday morning at 11am) and now I am ramping up the release activities - getting press and reviews, booking dates and getting the word out! Thanks so much for all your support! Well back to work on promoting this bad boy and if you haven't already...order Beard of Bees by visiting my web site!

Wow! Here is the track listing for Beard of Bees!

1. Ullow Kahng

2. Beard of Bees

3. Art Bunny

4. Pagan Educated Guess Listening Credenza

5. Hobart the Emu

6. Asparagus & Glass

7. Marco

8. Versus

9. The Fogged Frame

10. ...the sometimes terrifying realities of getting exactly what you want...

11. Meek Lanterns Chosen Nightly

12. Giant Canoe ->

13. The Oar

14. There are Mornings

15. Be Well, Turbine

A quick one...

Hey all,
Well, things continue to be busy here at the Gaito Camp. I had a delightfully long week up at West Street Digital with André. We got eight of the 15 songs pretty much completely finished (including Beard of Bees, Pagan Educated Guess Listening Credenza, Hobart the Emu, Asparagus and Glass, Marco, Strumkin Versus (which I might just shorten to Versus...hmm), ...realities..., and Meek Lanterns Chosen Nightly). Tracy and I have been working on the cover art - which is becoming an ambitious project and I have been working on the bonus Sandwich disc as well. On top of that, I have been trying to do some marketing stuff - which is not my favorite thing - I know it is essential - but it seems very time consuming - I am trying to make it fun though -my friend IngaDahling! will begin helping me on the marketing piece on 9/1 and I can't wait for the help - it will be fun working with IngaDahling!

Anyway, I will probably be glued to my laptop tonight and tomorrow (email me and say hello - I can use the encouragement :-)!) and then it is back to the studio on Monday and Thursday, at least) Tracking Dan Bailey's bad ass drums on Thursday so that will be a total blast!

Well, I should go back to pushing my wares and bringing my special kind of joy to the world ;-).

Be well,
Mike

And the winner of the Gaitoplexicon Records Schwag Giveaway is:

Frank Briggs has won the Deluxe Gaitoplexicon Records Schwag Package including a Gaitoplexicon Records T-Shirt, Mug, Messenger Bag and Mouse Pad! (retail value over $80.00). Congratulations to Frank! Thanks to all who preordered early - you have gotten this project moving full steam ahead! And if you simply must have these items they are available for purchase at Schpronk.com.If you haven't preordered yet, there's still time. Click on the preorder link at the bottom of this entry to find out more!

A note about our winner, Frank Briggs:

I first met Frank Briggs when he came to play at the University of Maine at Farmington in 1996. He was drumming for Mike Keneally and Beer for Dolphins who had come to UMF to perform for the University's Spring Fling event. The outdoor venue provided many challenges, one of which was Frank's charts blowing away in a vortex of tornado if you will. Even so, much fun was had by all and these events we documented in Mike Keneally's song, Potato and Frank and I were immortalized in the following verse:

We went to Maine 'cause we're friends with Mike Gaito

And Briggs's charts flew away in tornado

And I was up all night writing potato

Australia

Potato

- by Mike Keneally from the album Sluggo!

So, years passed...and a few weeks ago, Frank and I reconnected via the odd cultural phenomenon known as myspace. Frank is an amazing musician and drummer and an incredible guy. He has a new CD coming out in October called China Ranch. Frank has a great outlook on music and the importance of supporting independent artists. Please check out his music. You can hear it on his web site and his myspace page (be sure to check out his excellent blogs too!)...while you're there you can also get the latest scoop on China Ranch.

All that's left to say is, "Congratulations and Yay, Frank!!!"