Our Music Artist Of The Week – Mike Ross USL January 17, 2023 Artist of the Week, Section, USL StoriesHere’s some more info on Mike and the release:Mike Ross Releases the First Single from His New Album, Out in SpringEver-creative rockmeister Mike Ross releases the first single from his forthcoming, brand- new 12-track album, ‘Third Eye Open’, which he’ll be releasing in Spring 2023. The album’s debut single, ‘The Preacher’ starts the ball rolling with much grit, gusto and impact, and drops on Friday 20th January. Kerrang! called Mike Ross “Burnt in Blues, Soaked in Soul!” — a description that holds true of Mike’s multiple facets: songwriting, multi-instrumental talents, gritty riff-busting, yet eloquent, guitarist and also his vocals, all of which come to the fore on his latest solo releases. He’s a proud DIY artist too, who writes, performs, records, produces & releases his own music. Mike has also collaborated with some of the brightest lights in the UK emerging artists scene, such as Elles Bailey, Jack J Hutchinson & Troy Redfern. What’s more, he’s an international, incessantly touring, musician who has played live music on every continent and in most European countries. “Third Eye Open is a real bone-shaker of a record,” says Mike, of his new solo album, “the fattest, nastiest, chunkiest thing I’ve ever done! “There’s definitely been a feeling of coming ‘full circle’ on this album, bringing all of my influences and material bang up to date and the final 12 track behemoth of a record is hands down the biggest, most cohesive and meaningful thing I’ve ever put out.” The first single to be released from ‘Third Eye Open’, ‘The Preacher’, draws upon Mike’s rich archive of material for its riffs and licks. As Mike notes, “the main riffs for songs like ‘The Preacher’ were things I’d had for years but hadn’t ever found a use for.” Opening with the raucous, heavily-fuzzed guitar for which Mike is justly famed and his deft lead guitar work and exuberant soloing.‘The Preacher’ then brings in Mr Ross’s classic rock vocals, creating a big, big sound, in both the verses and choruses (featuring vocals from Jack J Hutchinson) As Mike puts it, “The Preacher is a 3½ -minute rockers’ revival meeting that comes fully loaded with big choruses, handclaps, foot-stomps and a face-melter of a guitar solo!” As ever, Mike Ross’s new material proves him to be a man you can rely on to conjure up fuzz-charged Heavy Blues and powerful Rock, to make his guitar soar and sing, and to deliver smart-as-a-whip lyrics. He’s earned critical acclaim from every point of the music compass: Classic Rock, Maverick Magazine, Planet Rock Radio, BBC Radio, Music News. As Henry Yates put it in Classic Rock Magazine: “You need to know Mike Ross.” True then: true now.Band members and instruments playedMike Ross – Guitar and lead vocalsDerek Randall – Bass and backing vocalsDarren Lee – DrumsJack J Hutchinson – backing vocalsHailing from:The City of Durham, UKBased now:Brighton, East Sussex, UKMusical influences:The Rolling StonesAC/DCAerosmithNeil YoungThe WhoThe Allman Brothers BandFor fans of: Blackberry SmokeThe Black CrowesLed ZeppelinGov’t MuleSiena RootUpcoming live dates:April 9th HRH Blues Festival, SheffieldMay 2nd TNMC, CoulsdonMay 26th Riverside Music Club, GillinghamMay 27th Blind Cat Festival, TamworthSocial media links:https://www.mikerossmusic.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/themikerossband Tweets by spindriftmike https://www.instagram.com/mike_ross_musicSpotify Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzc67yK6bpnQMYHP7C4XLIQYouTube Link to single https://youtu.be/-nJ3ERu38OcApple music https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/mike-ross/1477513595I hope you like the song and can play it. Please let me know if you can or if you need any further information!I look forward to hearing from you.Thanks a lot.Emma Scott https://linktr.ee/emma_scottLeave a Reply Cancel ReplyYou must be logged in to post a comment.This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.