Mike & Amy
About
BIO
These life partners and sea captains have logged over 30,000 Bluewater miles sailing their boat from Nova Scotia to Europe to the Caribbean and beyond. They have crossed the seas and crisscrossed countries sharing the music born of their experiences. Mike’s original songs and stories are a celebration of the independent spirit found in characters they’ve encountered.
On stage, Mike’s earthy voice and masterful work on assorted guitars are perfectly matched by Amy’s open heart, sweet harmonies and tasty percussion and drums. Whether performing as a duo, trio or full band, with or without video display, the Aikens have a way of turning audiences into friends and performance venues into their own back porch.
Together they have produced seven nationally and internationally recognized albums and appeared in concert venues, clubs and festivals across North America and Europe. Recognizing the need to pay back and pass the music on, in 2005, Mike & Amy founded the Aiken & Friends Fest benefiting music education.
When not on the road, Mike turns his attention to songwriting with partners in Austin and Nashville. His travels have been well chronicled since 2005 in Americana Rhythm Magazine. Amy also heads Northwind Records, an Indie label since 2002.
“Together they emit an aura of warmth to the audience.”
“There are hundreds of sailing shanties, and there’s Christopher Cross’s “Sailing” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Take It Back” (the best and perhaps only America’s Cup rooting song). But nobody sings about the nautical life better than Aiken, and this simple ode (Chesapeake) to being on the water explains the appeal.”-Greg Kelly-Sports Illustrated
Mike & Amy’s love for singing, songwriting and sailing has taken them all over the world. As a songwriter, Mike puts pen to paper and shares his colored and colorful life. As an artist who comes by his stories and Grammy nomination honestly, Aiken has definitely taken his place among well-respected songwriters and musicians.
“The audience hooped and hollered and stomped their feet! “ – The Ross Ragland Theater
“His songs might be tales off the beaten path, but he zeroes in on the universal truth clearly and quickly. His storytelling is subtle and he captures the atmosphere perfectly in the world of each song he sings. He sings what he means, and he means what he sings. (And Amy Aiken’s accompanying vocals and percussion only make it all sound that much sweeter.)” – G Victor, Parcbench
“Mike is something of a John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder.” -C. Doane, SAIL Magazine
“Dude reminds me of Willie Nelson…and that’s the ultimate compliment.” – M Greenblatt, The Aquarian Weekly
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The latest CD, Wayward Troubadour (Northwind Records), has drawn rave reviews and exceptional radio airplay. The album was the anticipated follow-up to my Grammy-nominated album, Captains & Cowboys (produced by Dan Baird of the Georgia Satellites). “The band Amy and I put together for Wayward Troubadour included Kenny Vaughan (Marty Stuart Band) on electric guitars; David Roe on stand-up bass; Amy Aiken on background vocals and percussion; and guest writer Chris P James of The Burrito Brothers.”
The CD was greeted with universal rave reviews from the media:
“Mike Aiken’s new release is one of those summertime Americana ‘kick back and hang out’ collections perfect to pop in the stereo and launch into the season.” – Americana Highways
“With so much fake country music hogging the airwaves, it’s downright refreshing — like a cool mountain breeze — to hear such a Wayward Troubadour as Mike Aiken.” – Aquarian Weekly
“Mike Aiken delivers an album rooted in traditional country, with moments of Western Swing that will fit very nicely in your summer playlist… These are songs that will have you smiling and head-bobbing and generally feeling carefree. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Just wait until you hear this album.”
– Parcbench.Live – New York City
Band
Mike Aiken – vocals, guitars, mandolin
Amy Aiken – vocals, percussion
David Mills – vocals, bass
Rich Eckhardt – guitars
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