Funky music has found its child prodigy. His name is Mica Penniman, aka Mika on stage. Self-taught pianist, a virtuoso whose voice jumps from falsetto to deep notes, he is a born frontman whose stellar debut had him compared to true giant like of Freddie Mercury. Days before his European tour, Mika opened up his wardrobe for The New Yooxer and offered an insight into his Technicolor world.
Mika, 27, makes his debut in 2006 and achieves instant success. He reaches the top of the international charts with “Relax, Take It Easy” (made available online and based on the melody for the Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died In Your Arms”), and further success comes with the “Dodgy Holiday” EP. “Grace Kelly” is released in January 2007 under the Universal Music label; the first single from the debut album, it offers an ironic take on the music industry as seen by the young Lebanese artist. The album, Life In Cartoon Motion, comes out later in 2007, mixed in LA and produced by Greg Wells; it is happy and bright, not unlike the Scissor Sisters or early George Michael, and while the lyrics touch on Mika’s difficult teenage years, the music itself is optimistic and full of energy, with a definite 70s “flower power” vibe. The second album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, is released in September 2009, and ever since March the world has been singing along to “Blame It On The Girls”; a hidden agenda somewhere in there Mika?
Listen Mika Album – The Boy Who Knew Too Much
ABOUT MIKA
Mika was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 18th, 1983, the son of a Lebanese mother and an American father. He is still a child when war breaks out and the family leaves the country to move to Paris and then London, where Mika attends the Westminster School and later the Royal College of Music. Times are tough at first in the British capital and communication issues mean music becomes his refuge. He listens to everything, from Joan Baez to Bob Dylan, from Serge Gainsbourg to flamenco, with a soft spot for pop icons such as Prince, Elton John and Michael Jackson. His taste gets more eclectic as he grows up, and his music career is a reflection of that with such highlights as singing at the Royal Opera House or writing jingles for British Airways and Orbit gum.
TOUR DATES
06/24/10 – Baalbek International Festival – Baalbek, Beruit
06/27/10 – Eden Project Sessions – Cornwall, GB
06/30/10 – Peace and Love Festival – Borlange, SE
07/03/10 – Chateau de Beauregard Festival Beauregard – Herouville, France
07/04/10 – Eurockeennes Festival Grounds Appearing at “Les Eurockeennes de Belfort” – Belfort, France
07/06/10 – Ippodromo Delle Capannelle Appearing at “Rock In Roma” – Rome, Italy
07/08/10 – Petrovaradin Castle Appearing at “Exit Festival” – Novi Sad, Serbia
07/12/10 – TW Classic 2010 – Werchter, BE
07/13/10 – Little Arenas of Bayonne – Bayonne, France
07/14/10 – Sporting Club Appearing at “Sporting Summer Festival” – Monte Carlo, Monaco
07/16/10 – Festival Des Vieilles Charrues Grounds Appearing at “Festival Des Vieilles Charrues” – Carhaix-Plouguer, France
07/17/10 – Festival Musilac – Aix-les0Bains, France
07/20/10 – Arenes Appearing at “Festival De Nimes” – Nimes, France
07/21/10 – Festival Des Two Cities – Carcassonne, France
07/22/10 – Festival Poupet – Poupet, France
07/24/10 – Orange Pre-pay Party – Mamaia, RO
07/26/10 – Tesla Arena – Prague, Czech Republic
07/28/10 – Green Theatre – Sochi, Russia
07/29/10 - Ice Palace – St. Petersburg, Russia
07/30/10 – The Circus – Helsinki, FI
08/01/10 – Old Ferry Terminal – Klaipeda, Lithuania
08/02/10 – Arena Riga – Riga, Latvia
08/03/10 – Tallinn Song Festival – Tallinn, Estonia
08/07/10 – Festival Sudoeste Grounds Appearing at “Festival Sudoeste” – Zambujeira Do Mar, Portugal
08/15/10 – Foire Au Vin – Colmar, France
08/21/10 – Weston Park Appearing at “V Festival” (UK)KasabianPet Shop Boys – Shropshire, United Kingdom
08/22/10 – Hylands Park – Chelmsford, United Kingdom
08/28/10 – Quay Arbon At Lake Constance Appearing at “SummerDays Festival” – Arbon, Switzerland
