Some of the good people who play with me both live and on recordings include: "Marky" Mark Ansara - Drums/Percussion, Andrew Clarke - Bass/Vocals, David Celia - Guitars/Vocals/More..., Kirtus Godwin - Guitars/Vocals, Nick 'Brownman' Ali - Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Sarah Shafey - Vocals, Nick 'Boxy Box' Luszczek - Cajon/Percussion, Joan Besen - Wurlitzer, Drew Jurecka - Violin, Nick 'Name' Londono - Piano, Chris Banks - Upright Bass
Influences
Film, the arts in general no matter how wacky. Comedy in general but generally dry humor.
-Written: Richard Bach, Paulo Coelho, Ernesto Guevara/Diary (and passionate accomplishments), Khalil Gibran's The Prophet..to name a few
-Music: Whatever makes me feel alive.
A Brief History.
Mike Celia is a singer/songwriter from Mississauga, Ontario. He began his musical journey immediately upon returning from his travels across the better half of Europe in 2004. His experiences traveling with nothing but his backpack and a guitar strapped around his shoulders put him on the life changing journey which led him to quit his job and focus on a career as an artist/performer. His very first performance was held at the prestigious Hugh’s Room in Toronto, opening for his brother David Celia who has been touring Europe and North America for several years now.
For the last few years Mike has managed to captivate audiences from all walks of life with his blend of acoustic guitar, sand-paper vocals and personal lyrics that speak of love, life and the struggles in between. Although it has only been a short time since Mike has taken on the path of music, he has been playing and writing music since the age of fourteen. Inspired by three generations in his household, there was no shortage of music running through his veins while growing up. Mike has always felt a strong connection to music since he was a child, listening to everything from the smooth new age jazz sounds of Pat Metheny to the funky soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder, BB King and Ray Charles. His blend of influences doesn’t even begin to describe his sound and style which has a poppy “singer/songwriter” feel combined with a blend of soulful rhythm and blues.
The completion of his first recorded CD has marked a major stepping stone in becoming recognized as an independent artist. The EP was recorded mostly in his basement with the help of a few fine musicians (including his brother David), his friend and co-producer Nick Londono and a laptop computer with some recording s done at the famous Metalworks studios. The tracks were later mixed by local producer and Juno nominee, John Switzer, who was a great addition in molding the sound that has only begun to catch people’s ears.
Over the years Mike has always been keen on staying grounded and doing his best to keep giving back for all the great fortunes life has offered him. He has organized benefit concerts in the past for charities such as The Make a Wish Foundation (Heroes of Heaven benefit held in December 2005), played at fundraisers for Sick Kids hospital and continues his efforts today using music to create both change and awareness wherever and whenever possible. He is a firm believer that music can bring people together amidst all their diversity, inspire them to become better people and make the changes necessary to make this world a better place.
Mike was also featured on the motion picture soundtrack for the film “Six Reasons Why” (www.sixreasonswhy.com) which has received attention from national media such as Entertainment Tonight and was recently purchased by THINK Film(release date TBA).
On August 17, 2007, Mike began his first national grassroots tour across Canada with bands The Last True Gentlemen and Fourlines. Together, the three acts performed thirteen shows in twenty-one days across five provinces including a live to air performance on CHLY 101.7 in Nanaimo, BC.
Mike was featured twice as a guest on live television for interview and performance on both Rogers Daytime Television and MeTV not to mention a featured artist spotlight on First Local for Rogers Television.
Recently, Mike has been asked to fill the role of Concert Series Director for the Mississauga Independent Film Festival. The festival will run from July 10th to the 13th of 2008 in downtown Mississauga and will feature a live concert bill at each after party during the festival as well as an outdoor band shell performance in front of Mississauga’s City Hall.
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Thanks for the add. Well we haven't met before but we've crossed paths plenty of times as we went to the same high school and for many years we went to St. Patrick's. I believe you are the youngest of the Celia clan?? Anyway - best of luck to you. Your music is a bit different from Dave's but still just as good. What a talented family! Glad to be part of your friend pool.
A sho eh? i don't no nuthin bout muzic but plentee of peeple sae u dont suck so u m ust be gud i ges but whad do i no ok ill go to ur sho jus so u shudup! mabee ill evin lik it. ok i got2 go luk 4 a job now sucks!
Woah!!! Lisa's really amazing to watch (and tell her I said so) I still want to catch her arabasque live, call me if you guys are heading down - Mon. & Thurs. right?
wow man... i'd love to come see your setup some day. learn from the best as they say :) what do you say to that? What are yourplans for halloween, I was thinking of checking Sean Pinchin or Four Lines.
oooo new picture oooo ill see you tonight practice by the way did tanika tell you that you have to rewrite can i be yours i think we should just play it the way you guys played before and ill just write a piano part to that!!! BEACE!!! shafey
Hi, thanks for letting us add you as a friend! Just to let you know, we're having a show on Wednesday, Oct 22 at the Annex Wreckroom, you should come and check out our music! :-)
Hey buddy, I've finally updated my profile with new tracks. Come have a listen, I'm looking for gigs and like everyone who starts out I'm not looking for money, just opportunity.
i dont go to too many folk shows, but there is everything type of music out here. its los angeles so there are just so many different things going on all the time.
why thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you as well. & yes, between you & chris, true musical talent is refreshing. unfortunately however, there are many miles between here & there, so it won't be very likely i'll have the oppurtunity to enjoy any of it in person.
Hey Mike! I have declared it INDIE ARTIST WEEK on my site, and you are being featured this week... so you have been added to my Top Friends for the week! Keep on rockin'!!
hey man!! we're playing a show this Friday night at the Silver Dollar room at College and Spadina!! It is a charity event for the Regant Park School Of Music!! We are on at 9:30pm, so i hope you are able to make El MOSQUITO'S debut show!!
Hope you can make it out to our Clinton's gig Monday, Sept. 22nd 10pm. (responsible under 19ers welcome. $5) In the meantime, check out our myspace to hear our new demo "The Last Record Store". Todd, Carlie, Stu, Dave
Hola! Mike Como estas? I hope you enyoyed the summer..was a funny weather but very...funky..and unplanned... Let me know when you are playing in Mississauga...! C
I know, right.... Fancy running into you here on the space after so long. That was such a fun time @ Hugh's Room. Indeed! Listening to you, & then cheering on yer brother w/ ya up front was just the best! I hope to see you all sometime up in TO again! Maybe we can do a group show er something cool like that.
Meanwhile, you are sounding spectacular! Just love that soulful, real & gravelly voice a yers, Mike! Great grooves, too. You are one musical guy!
Rock On, Brother! Peace! -Liz
PS stop by my page for some new vids I posted. Paradigm shifting stuff, no doubt!! Don't get me started LOL! Just come on by & take a look. Maybe start w/ the 4th one down on the left. Then right above is rock Goddess Aimee Allen's r3VOLution song. Right On!
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