Michael Nickolas
Website
August 1998

Ever Faithful
1998

Originally from Southington Connecticut, Michael moved to Boston in 1980 to attend the Berklee College of Music. After graduating Cum Laude in 1984, he was a founding member and leader of what would turn out to be one of Boston's most successful local acts, 'High Function'. With High Function, Michael played extensively at clubs and colleges throughout the New England area. Other performance experience's included a three week tour of Switzerland, appearances in New York City, recording an eight song album in Chicago, and performing in a marketing film produced by the Bose Corporation.

After leaving High Function, Michael went on to co-found the Boston Music Award winning R&B band 'Universal Language'. Another very popular local group, nominated for awards each year of their existence (which continues to today), Universal Language credits include performances in the Boston Garden, Fleet Center, and at The House of Blues in Cambridge. He was also the Co-Executive Producer of their CD entitled 'One People'; a release well received on the local music scene, including a positive review in the Boston Globe.

In addition to playing with the bands, Michael was teaching himself the art of recording. An article he wrote entitled 'Producing Your Bands CD' was published in 'Recording Magazine', and during 1997 he built a recording studio in his home. He has also worked outside the house as a freelance recording engineer. The home studio, named 'Studio Nine Productions', is where his solo guitar release 'Ever Faithful' was recorded. Clients come to Studio Nine to work on everything from voice over narration sessions to digital audio editing and CD creation. His knowledge of recording was also put to use through part-time work with a major music software company, which included telephone consulting with Jon Anderson of 'YES' during the recording of Jon's recent solo record.

The CD Ever Faithful was done in Michael's spare time over an eight month period. He produced, arranged, performed, engineered, mixed and mastered the CD himself. Listeners are treated to versions of Jazz standards like "Tenderly" and "My Favorite Things" and R&B staples like "Let's Stay Together" and "People Get Ready". The original composition and title track "Ever Faithful" rounds out the package.