O.A.R.ist GUITARDRUMMER ORIGINAL AMERICAN STOMPER
“…album that’s nuanced and at times, even intimate, in its carefully constructed and reflective songs.”
- Hannah Means-Shannon - Glide Magazine
"...a grooviness that sneaks up on the listener while putting MP’s technical prowess on full display."
– Dave Stallard - Blue Ridge Outdoor
"...dude uses every square inch of his axe to make something unique.”
- John Gentile - PunkNews
"...a fluid and endlessly evolving sound that incorporates intuitive and expressive improvisation and songwriting acumen."
- Thomas Murphy - Queen City Sounds and Art
Innovation in sound and performance are what drives musician / songwriter MikelParis (MP). In fact, it was the impetus for the creation of his unique acoustic guitar style he calls GuitarDrumming (GD). Messing around at home one night in Connecticut, MP used devil sticks to drum across acoustic guitar strings, creating an intriguing sound; a sound he later refined in New York with inspiration attained as a cast member of STOMP. It was here he realized that rhythm could be found everywhere, and anything could be used as an instrument. It’s also where he received encouragement to explore and discover his own unique sound.
Blending the styles of drumming, bass, percussion, keys, and guitar into a rich tapestry of sound and rhythm, GuitarDrumming creates a perfect synergy with MP’s soulful vocals, honest lyrics, stomping techniques, and keys virtuoso.
MikelParis™ (pronounced "Michael Paris”) is a multifaceted artist whose tenure as keyboardist, percussionist, and backup vocalist for the celebrated American rock band O.A.R. stretching over two decades, is only the beginning of his story. The MikelParis experience is a vibrant fusion of funk, folk, soul, and rock that has him spinning a kaleidoscope of sound. He masterfully weaves the art of' “stomping' from his early days with the percussive Off Broadway ensemble Stomp, with his signature 'GuitarDrumming’ technique, creating a rich musical tapestry.
His song writing combines lyrical introspection with energetic spontaneity that draws inspiration from the sounds of Prince, Peter Gabriel, and James Taylor to bands like the Talking Heads and Dave Matthews Band. He is also the producer and host of “TuneTrek" a docuseries that takes MP across the U.S. as he unearths musical gems in history's hidden corners.