Michael Trudgen is a finger style guitarist and songwriter from London Ontario Canada.  He began his music journey at the age of 6, learning piano, and then transitioning to classical guitar at 14. 

 

In his 20’s, Michael developed a fondness for finger style percussive acoustic guitar, drawing inspiration by listening to great acoustic guitarists like Don Ross, Andy McKee, and Jon Gomm.  You will find some of their influences in his solo instrumental music! 

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Though Michael had a few garage band’s in his teen years, he focused primarily on writing his own instrumental songs, and by 2013 he saw a posting for a rhythm guitarist, and he signed up for the band Messes & Miracles.  Michael got to participate in the writing of Messes & Miracle’s song “Anna May” for their Stages Vol.1 2015 project and also went on to write and record two singles “Noises in the Dark” and “Kings of Palisades.”  Shortly after these two releases, the band broke up.

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Michael and Justin Den Bok continued writing music and formed a new band, With A Fox, at the end of 2015, and produced 2 singles “Rockshow” and “Fight or Flight;” as well as an EP “Songs from the Den.” With A Fox finally made it to the stage at Rum Runners in January 2017 for their first show, and the night was a success!

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Michael won 2 hrs of recording time at Prevail Music in January 2016, by coming in second place at a local battle of the bands competition, which he performed a 45 minute set of his acoustic instrumental pieces.  The competition involved 16 contestants of solo artists, trios and full bands.

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March 2016, Michael had the pleasure to work with Ian Raeburn-Gibson on Ian’s two songs “Blue Bird” and “Where I Needed to Be,” adding banjo and mandolin.  Both are featured on Ian’s self titled EP.

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Outside of the With A Fox band, Michael continued his passion for instrumental guitar, and wrote a new instrumental piece “Two by Two,” and auditioned for London Arts Live in April of 2016.  The audition was a success and the London Arts Council booked Michael for 2 showings a month from June to December 2016, and performed at the Wolf Performance Hall Debate Show, as part of their London Arts Live program.

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In November 2016, Michael received an Emerging Artist Endorsement by Stonebridge Guitars.  A video was produced by Lilac Media Group of Michael’s song “Two by Two,” released on Facebook January 2017, and garnered 5300 views and 36 shares.  Setting the tone for his first solo album, due to release in February 2017.