Sharaya Mikael

Sharaya Mikael

Sharaya Mikael quit her day job less than a year ago, but the
folk-pop singer/songwriter and guitarist has already created a buzz with her freewheeling approach to her career. Her first 5-song Far Field EP was independently released in 2010, and was featured on Portland’s KINK.FM as well as Welcome Hohmes “Best of 2010” list. It sold over 2,000 copies, most of them at gigs on a marathon 50-state promotional tour. “The road trip was more of an experiment to see if I could survive on the road and still love it… after six months straight, I couldn’t imagine my life any other way” she says reminiscing on the not so distant past. In 2011 she made the move to Nashville TN, where she recently released her Rush EP and continues to tour
incessantly, maintaining strong followings in Portland, OR and Atlanta, GA. Her pure voice & catchy melodies paired with intelligent lyrics & tranquil instrumentation make for tunes that you won’t mind having stuck in your head, as they surely will be upon a first listen.

Dustin Ruth has been writing songs since he was fourteen. Born in California and raised in Washington, Dustin is a true West Coast native, growing up with the fresh, progressive sounds from bands who made their names in nearby NW cities Portland, OR and Seattle, WA (Elliot Smith, The Dandy Warhols, The Shins, The Decemberists, Death Cab). Dustin honed his skills playing in different bands for several years before signing his first major record deal with Tooth and Nail Records. Dustin recorded and released two full length albums and an EP under the band name "Ruth". During the three years Dustin spent on the label, he performed over 400 shows touring the US, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Upon his departure from the label, Dustin started a new chapter of his music career by recording his first independent solo EP, "Learn How To Love Someone". The record was engineered and produced by close friend Chris Keene, of the band Surrogate, and mixed by John Goodmanson, (Death Cab, Brandi Carlile, Nada Surf, Rocky Votolato, Owl City). "Learn How To Love Someone" was released in June of 2010 and has already begun to bring Dustin Ruth some recognition. Within weeks of release he was picked as Portland's Deli Magazine's "Artist of the Month". In addition, several tracks on the record have been licensed by MTV for use in the second season of their popular Teen Mom 2 series.

One listen through Dustin's record, "Learn How To Love Someone", and it's obvious the word "love", is being used in a much broader way than simply referring to romance. "Parables" covers a more personal side of Dustin's childhood, referring to his mothers advice growing up. "Life's Not Fair" takes a swing at government through a dream. "Don't give up" is a round-a-bout, playful, apology that is left open to interpretation, and the opening track "Honey" is the traditional love song we all can be a sucker for at times.

Chris Keene of Surrogate

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Sharaya Mikael with Dustin Ruth, Chris Keene of Surrogate

Monday, July 16 · Doors 7:00PM / Show 8:00PM at Brick & Mortar Music Hall