Michael Des Barres – Official Website

Michael launches new online radio show ‘Roots and Branches’

May 16th, 2013

Jakob

Click on the logo to listen online

This week Michael’s new radio show Roots and Branches premieres on the online radio station Transcend Radio. The half-hour show will air Thursdays at 4:00 pm PST (12:00 midnight GMT) through Live365.com, starting on May 16th.

Transcend Radio was officially launched earlier this month by the David Lynch Foundation, which also runs the charity record label Transcendental Music.

The theme of Roots and Branches is described as “Finding peace in a violent world through exploration of the lineage and history of rock and roll”.

To coincide with the radio show, Michael is releasing the song “Life is Always Right” through Transcendental Music. The song can be downloaded on iTunes.

“The artists who share their music will spread much happiness with their music alone and, at the same time, support programs that take away suffering and bring bliss to lots of people. When you download these tracks, you’ll not only get to enjoy some great music, but you’ll also know you are going to bring happiness to someone somewhere in the world”, David Lynch said in a press release.

Other news:

Michael and Mark Tremalgia did a four-song acoustic set at a “Women Who Write” event held by Vicki Abelson on April 30th. Actor/writer Kevin Pollak was also a guest. A clip of “You’re My Pain Killer” can be seen on YouTube.

Michael was a call-in guest on the online radio show Darby on the Downlow on May 3rd. The interview can be heard on spreaker.com (starts after 61 minutes).

Obsession 2013 remix

April 29th, 2013

Jakob

Cover

Michael has now released a new version of “Obsession”, performed with Teal Collins Zee. It’s available for download on Michael’s Bandcamp page, in your preferred file format.

“Obsession”… this song was one of those special ones because it wrote itself, like a gift from someplace else… a place where divine music collaborates with us romantic, lustful humans. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Obsession,” I’ve created an all new version as a duet with Teal Collins Zee. – MDB

Originally written and recorded by Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight in 1983, “Obsession” was later covered by the group Animotion and became a worldwide hit in 1985.

This new version was first recorded with producer Jesse Dayton a few years ago, and has now been remixed by Kyle Moorman.

In other news, there have also been a couple of new interviews this month. UK website live4ever had a chat with Michael at this year’s SXSW, and on 20 April he was a guest live on KatPat’s show on BlogTalkRadio.

You’re My Pain Killer (Acoustic)

April 4th, 2013

Jakob

Cover

The acoustic version of “You’re My Pain Killer” that Michael did with Mark Tremalgia for Rush Hour Entertainment in early March is now also available as a download single. You can get it from Michael’s Bandcamp page – for just $1.

For more background info on the song and its message, read Michael’s own thougths on antimusic.com (from July last year).

There’s also a new music video for “Carnaby Street” up on YouTube, which incorporates archive footage from London in the 60s. Watch it here.

MDB at SXSW 2013

March 21st, 2013

Jakob

Live at the Molotov, March 13th.
(Photo by Rebecca Chulew)

Michael spent last week at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, where he played a set at the Molotov on March 13th.

The band this time included Scrote on guitar, Ken Stringfellow on keyboard, Matt Harris on bass and Branden Harper on drums.

He was also joined on stage by special guest Stevie Salas, who was a member of Michael’s band Vince Lightning and The Spectaculars back in the mid-90s.

Here are some reviews:

austinchronicle.com: “Veteran rocker / actor Michael Des Barres provided an appropriate climax with a set of cocky, crunchy rock & roll that celebrated decadence past and the future with a wink and a power chord.”

popdose.com: “Rolling in to “Carnaby Street”, his rock manifesto and title track for his latest album, the Marquis blew our hair back with a short but intense (and loud!) set.”

meanwhile blog: “Simply put, Michael Des Barres is a motherf***ing rock star. And, this is why he was the highlight of SXSW 2013 Day Two.”

For a full recap of the week’s events, check out Kitty’s report on mdbimmedia.com.