The indie folk singer/songwriter from Worchester, Massachusetts has been part of the folk scene since the 1980’s, lending his hand as a behind the scenes force. Mike promoted shows, booked coffeehouses, and supported underground artists. He did everything to help the scene he loved so much, but, unfortunately, didn’t do enough to support his own songwriting endeavors. That all changed in 2009, when he finally realized that his own music deserved more. “My lack of confidence held me back in the past, but I never completely gave up on myself,” he reveals. “Once I started writing songs more consistently, however, I felt like I could make my contribution to music and songwriting.”
He recently released his 4th solo album, Drifting to the Right, which showcases his talent for storytelling. His background as a mental health therapist informs his songwriting, giving the characters in his songs a holistic perspective. The title song is the best example. “Drifting to the Right” is a folk song with a Bruce Springsteen sound carried by his sultry vocals. The song is about a man who leans to the extreme political right due to his internal strife. His anger and fear has as much power in his decisions as much as any external factors.
What makes the song so impactful and uniquely Michael is the empathy that seeps through the lyrics and melody. He sings “He’s hurting and he’s angry/He’s looking for a fight/he’s losing his perspective/and drifting to the right.” He speaks on the political upheaval in the United States while also remaining empathetic to the positioning of people’s perspective. He keeps the humanity and reminds us that people are complex.
Drifting to The Right is a pointed and reflective album inspired by political upheaval and self-knowledge. “Five out of the nine have anger behind them, and the others are more personal.” This is Mike’s strongest and most serious collection of songs, and the 9-song album benefits from polished production, courtesy of veteran musician Stephen B. Martin, a former member of the soft rock band Orpheus. Drifting to The Right also boasts 11 special guests, including former Joe Cocker musical director and guitarist Cliff Goodwin
Find and connect with Michael Gutierrez-May via:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud