MiZ is a soulful, Rock-Americana artist from Northeast Pennsylvania who is known as a skillful and well rounded master of both acoustic and electric guitar. His sound is directly impacted by the coal mining region of PA and the songs evoke the rustic tones and imagery you would expect from the region and it’s cultural heritage. The singer / songwriter / guitarist Mike Mizwinski gives name to the band and his solo work and it is his heart and soul– poured into the words and his guitar– that drives it all forward. We use the term singer/songwriter loosely here, as a MiZ show can feature fast, intricate instrumental guitar compositions, foot stomping bluegrass, soulful ballads, creative covers, and a melting pot of different styles- textures- flavors- and feels that make up the catalouge (over four albums worth) of self penned songs. Mike has maintained a freshness, a vibe, something, that keeps fans coming back for more. MiZ has opened forAmerica, The Wallflowers, Derek Trucks Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Blues Traveler, Shawn Colvin, Lyle Lovett, Leon Russell, Railroad Earth and many more. Mike has played over 750 shows since 2010 spanning from Berlin Germany -Northern Canada – Los Angeles – Austin, Texas – New York City and everywhere in between. He has played onstage with artists such as America, Umphrey’s McGee, Donna Jean Godchaux, members of THE BAND, Ratdog, moe., Particle, String Cheese Incident, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jackie Greene, Marc Ford + more. Mike is now endorsing Framus/Warwick guitars and won the Tri-State Indie “Acoustic Artist of the Year” award the last two years in a row. Mike has been invited to play the Allman Brothers- Peach Fest in Scranton PA all four years and will be taking the stage just before SANTANA this year.
Mike recently started his own non profit benefit foundation in which he uses his music to benefit people in need. It’s called the L.E.A. foundation and his first event raised thousands of dollars for the Yoder family, who’s young toddler had to undergo 2 open heart surgeries and was born without a spleen. here is their story: http://www.gofundme.com/qcccabbs and a news article about the event:
He has secured the help of the Grateful Dead’s publicist and here’s what he has to say about Mike’s new work:
“I expect that folks are going to go wild over Mike “Miz” Mizwinski’s new single “The Lights.” It’s big and rich and beautiful, a classy, first-quality love song. But in addition to “The Lights,” I’ve been listening to his CD Parking Meters, and I’m hopelessly infatuated with the spare acoustic feel of “Open Your Eyes to Dream.” Within its simpler sound it’s got a lot going on. Miz has grown a ton since I first heard his music… you can hear it in the tracks. Really good stuff.”
-Dennis McNally