Mike Dawes Goes Viral With Metallica Cover Hitting 14+ Million Views
UK-based virtuoso guitarist Mike Dawes is pleased to announce that his long awaited second solo album ΞRΛ will be released on 15th September 2017via Qten Records. He will also be hitting the road on a run of UK tour datesthroughout September/October 2017 in support of the record with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues.
To celebrate the news, Mike has revealed a stunning performance video of his cover of the Metallica classic ‘One’ which features on the album:
The video has so far nearly racked up an astonishing 4 million views on Facebook in just under 24 hours, through a premiere on the Metal Hammer Magazine Facebook page.
Commenting on the cover, he said: “The first single from the record is this cover of the Metallica hit ‘One’. Anyone who knows the original can identify with the challenge of performing this track solo. It’s my mum’s favourite, and she doesn’t even like Metallica, or acoustic shred guitar!”
Dawes has so far enjoyed an illustrious musical career which most recently, over the last half-decade, has seen him embark on an almost completely continuous world tour spanning 4 years and 5 continents in support of his debut LP What Just Happened?, which was released in 2013 with Candyrat Records.
The 10 tracks on new album ΞRΛ are comprised of 7 original pieces and an additional 3 immaculately arranged covers, and celebrates a stunningly musical and technical maturity. Quite simply, ‘Era’ redefines what can be expected of a solo musician on a single instrument, performing melody, bass, harmony, percussion and much more, in a dynamic and emotionally engaging context.
Whether it’s a nod to Michael Hedges on the organic and delicate flatpicked opener ‘Encomium (Reverie)’, the subtle polyrhythms and percussive fills of ‘Beirut’, or the chaotic bustle of New York City on ‘Overload’, what’s plain to see is that Dawes is a player who lives and breathes his craft, who’s been forged on the road, through waiting in airport lobbies for hours on end, and jamming with fellow musicians from all corners of the world.
Featuring guest appearances from Grammy-award-winning producer Jukka Backlund and acclaimed Canadian guitarist Nick Johnston, and covers of metal classics like Metallica’s ‘One’ and Periphery’s ‘Scarlet’, it’s a celebration of Mike’s influences and also the musical family he’s made throughout his career on the road.
Hailed by many as one of the world’s finest and most creative modern fingerstyle guitarists, his acclaimed solo music has gained over 15 million hits on popular video sharing sites. He has recorded with and taught multiple grammy winning artists, appeared on film and TV soundtracks (including Sky TV’s Guitar Star, and Better Call Saul) released apps, written for the world’s best-selling music magazines and, in addition to his solo work, currently performs alongside and in support of the legendary frontman of The Moody Blues, Justin Hayward, the debut live DVD of which entered the US Billboard charts at #2.
Musicians including John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Gotye, Billy Sheehan and James Valentine have all spoken of their admiration towards Mike’s work, and Dawes’ ever growing list of professional endorsements include the likes of Ernie Ball Strings, Benjamin Guitars, Andreas Cuntz Guitars, Guitar Pro Software, G7th Capos, Dimarzio Pickups and Tonewood Amp.
ERA is released 15th September on Qten Records
Era tracklisting:
1. Encomium (Reverie)
2. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room ft. Nick Johnston
3. Beirut
4. One
5. Purr & Sway ft, Jukka Backlund
6. Belle Insomnie
7. Overload
8. Scarlet
9. The Old Room
10. Fortress
September/October 2017 UK Tour Dates
(/w Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues)
18 September – Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
19 September – G Live, Guildford
20 September – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth
22 September – Queens Hall, Barnstaple
23 September – Assembly Hall, Worthing
25 September – The Playhouse Theatre, Weston Super Mare
27 September – City Hall, Hull
28 September – William Aston Hall, Wrexham
01 October – Philharmonic, Liverpool
02 October – St David’s Hall, Cardiff
03 October – Union Chapel, London
05 October – Town Hall, Birmingham
06 October – Alban Arena, St Albans