An accomplished singer/songwriter, Michael Fairchild has received wide success in various local markets. His music is often considered pop-gone-wrong, a label he heartily embraces for its peripheral designation; It allows me to retain a unique musical identity without making me feel like I have to orient myself or my music in a predetermined direction. Drawing from a mix of music, literary and pop culture influences, Michael writes songs that personally explore universal demons. His lyrics are catchy and thoughtful with melodically simple constructions. These techniques enable audiences to read their own experiences and emotions into the songs. This reaction compels Michael to continue writing, producing and playing to packed audiences in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. "Since I rarely think of the audience during my writing process, as it is a more solitary act, I am floored when fans come up to me after the show and say 'this is exactly how they feel'; it makes me feel like there is something bigger out there and that I am somehow more connected to my fellow humans." Self taught at the age of 15, Michael Fairchild began his musical career by practicing to the likes of Pink Floyd, Metallica, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. His flair for original songwriting began to flourish in his late teen years and culminated in his first solo project released in 2001. Postcards from Suburbia is a series of witty vignettes peppered with literary, historical and musical allusions. Like many of his influences, Michaels songwriting demands elegant exposition. Tales from the Yard, independently released in 2004, builds on Michaels strong foundation in poetics and provocative musical juxtapositions but also demonstrates his maturing musical style and deeply sentient verse. Michael is currently working on a new album with a release date expected in 2006. When not working on his solo career he has been involved with a number of collaborative projects with bands such as The Fine Time Communion, Feeling Nero and III. Each project has enabled Michael to explore a variety of musical styles, allowing for the breadth we hear on Tales from the Yard. No matter where Michael plays his preferred instrument is an acoustic guitar. "I enjoy this stripped down environment far better than the electric guitar milieu. I dont have to deal with the bullshit of pedals, amps, and it trims my setup time from 1 hour to 5 minutes." However, Michael enjoys experimenting with different instruments during the recording process as evidenced on his two solo albums. "I often record the majority of my albums by myself and it allows me to play instruments I generally wouldnt have on the road. Plus, I appreciate the duality of the sounds I get on an album versus live." When asked about his current instrument of choice he emphatically replied, "The Lowden O-32, of course! This particular guitar has a life of its own hidden within the wood. The sound that emanates from this particular model has such a voluptuous and tight-bottomed sound; its loud without being overpowering. Plus, the wide finger board allows me to more easily explore finger picking." Michaels gift is to show with utter honesty who he is, who we are, and how we are situated in this world. As he says, In this state/I contemplate/its really just a game of waiting/the best you ever get is good company.