Mike Dubose is what Bob Dylan would sound like if he had grown up listening to punk rock! Already critically acclaimed, Mike is a homegrown Austin, TX singer-songwriter. Having grown up around the talent that has sprung out of Austin, such as James McMurtry and Tish Hinojosa, Mike has shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Pete Seeger, Elliott Smith, Indigo Girls, Foo Fighters, Son Volt & WIlco. When the CD "Head Above Water" was originally discussed, it was going to be a total rock-band project. However, once inside Wire Studio in Austin, it quickly became evident that an acoustic approach suited the songs. Mike always writes on acoustic guitar, so it seemed only natural that the audience should get to experience the songs as they were written. With the engineering expertise of Stuart Sullivan, producer Bill Teags enlisted the help of local Austin musicians Danny Levin (cello), Amanda Kitchens (accordion), Sumner Erickson (tuba) and Diana Bruschke (backing vocals) to bring life to Mike's musical ideas. Each song on this CD has a story that is told through well-crafted and thought-provoking lyrics. Accustomed to the painful side of life while vowing never to give in to any affliction, Mike's lyrics bring you into each story. You can feel the raw emotion just underneath the surface, waiting to capture your mind and draw you in. For example, "Head Above Water" is about struggling with depression and the will to survive through a painful healing process. "George the Prophet" is a commentary about the damage to our liberties that is prevalent in American politics and how we are allowing ourselves to be morphed into an Orwellian state. Pain, anger, hurt and joy are all exposed in "Jane Doe #5", a song about two women and how irrational life can turn out. "I hope you love this record as much as I loved making it. Thanks for your loyalty, love and support... Much obliged!" - Mike Dubose