He arrives early to his concert just in time to be among the first to be welcomed by scents of cinnamon-apple and mint clouding the air in puffs of white smoke. Dazed hippies inhale for what seems like forever. Long breaths finally escape tired lungs. Heads bob to the tune of reggae legend Bob Marley’s “No woman no Cry”. The newcomer unnoticeably slouches into a seat at the door.
Something flickers and the dark room instantly brightens. A cigarette is lit; darkness again.
Layers of heavy jet black bangs fall like waterfalls on his low eyelids. Three sweat bubbles surface on his petite nose and quickly melt away. Perched on the left corner of his bubblegum pink lips is a limp cigarette. Rugged and knee-ripped faded denim jeans sit loosely on his slim waist and a white t-shirt sloppily clads his firm but not too muscular chest. His pale face looks like death.
Above a firm grimace is home to a pair of almond shaped blue eyes, caged behind black-rimmed glasses two sizes too big. Between pulls of his second, maybe third cigarette, a smile emerges and glistening white chicklet teeth shout hello without him saying a word.
Mike Underwood, who uses the stage name ‘Layne’ is a born native of Albany, capital of the empire state, New York. The Plattsburgh State University sophomore has definitely made a musical name for himself. But he swears he didn’t mean to. He has become a monster songwriter, captivating audiences with explicit tones, not withholding graphic metaphors in songs like ‘Nyquil Baby’ and ‘Dying Breed’. Having taken a glimpse into two totally different sides of the man and musician, he, as so many other extremely gifted beings today, has been deemed a musical genius trapped inside a mind taken over by drugs.
A prolific underground musician of acoustic, folk and French pop [influenced by folk rock and alternative music], his songs are filled with original lyrics that are both poetic and personal. “A lot of things inspire me, but it is mostly simple things, things that are overlooked.”
Nervous twitches increase and a “yeah, I’m nervous” giggle breaks out. The scents of several ashtrays of stale cigarettes and hookah bongs blanket the cinnamon apple glade plug-in on the graffiti laced wall.
Not you’re average guy huh?
An introvert, and he’s only 19; his reserved spirit easily makes him go unnoticed. “I used to be very outgoing, dressed flashy, and wore my heart and emotions on my sleeve. As I grew up I learned that the less you talk, the more you think and to this day like to keep quiet.”
One would question this musician’s motives. The truth is, as musically inclined as he is, Mike is not trying to “make it big”. He simply loves music and wants his music to be appreciated; accepting offers to play only at local bars and coffee shops. In 2006, he taught himself to play the guitar in less than a year, yet he finds this normal.
“I really just picked up a guitar one day and started plucking at the strings.”
Most musicians describe themselves by their influences, but Mike says his influences have taught him to understand music, not how to write it. And he means it when he says fame is not his main priority. Here’s a guy who’s not concerned with pleasing audiences. No joke. If he’s playing at a coffee shop, he tones down his set; after all, people are trying to get coffee, not the accounts of his life.
“My music is very important to me. To be frank I can't say my audience affects my music much, just my performing. If there are people at an actual venue who have come to see me, I will give them sweat and all the energy I have.”
Humbled at the mere fact that he has a fan base without promoting himself, Mike says he wants to make more music. He’s been enjoying a steady climb to, dare we say, stardom, made more impressive by the fact that he did it on his own. While detractors would like to piece him in with media-created pop stars, Mike says he discovered himself and is signed by himself, not by any label that’s going to dictate his future.
Known for his unique phrasing and animated, sometimes melancholy voice, many Plattsburgh State University students have been fortunate enough to hear this tatted and pierced music major perform and have praised his ability to capture audiences without ever looking up from one of his five instruments during a set.
Plattsburgh State University junior Sharifa Simon-Roberts says she could feel the fire brewing in the room when she heard Mike play at the Hookah Lounge recently.
“It was a breath of fresh air. I had never heard a style so unique so it was very different for me but at the same time the music felt so real. He’s so young and that makes his music that much more appealing.”
Mike plays ‘looped music’, which he says results in a complex live show that expresses his intentions for the song. A loop is a short section of a particular track that can be repeated continuously. Using digital hardware to create and modify these loops, Mike incorporates clips of his own recordings using the violin, guitar, a Brazil nut shaker, a harmonica, and bass piano on top of his own vocals.
Music major Maegan Pollonais, friend and classmate of Mike says she is amazed at his presence when he takes the stage.
“Mike is absolutely incredible. At first glance you would never believe he could belt out the vocals he does while playing a violin and a harmonica simultaneously. His music is very distinct yet you’re never lost in it.”
As does any musician, Mike says he has challenges. Writers block is his most formidable opponent, but for the most part, he says if he is writing a song that isn’t about himself, “the tone will be indicative of how I feel about a certain challenge.”
This artistically savvy young man is not the kind of musician to describe his music with words. He would rather his audiences just listen and find out. So what is a listener to do with music that’s not mass produced for wide audiences? Sulk and wait for Mike to get his calling to the limelight.
Lan Vu, a PSUC student who resides in the same dormitory as Mike says his music fills the hallways at random hours during the day drawing residents to bang on his door, not to yell at him for being too loud but to say, “dude, you’re really good”!
“I live right below him and I hear him practicing constantly but it doesn’t annoy me. His music is so calm and soulful. My roommate and I rock to his melodies all the time”.
However, Mike is not seeking popularity through constant appearances and simply contagious ‘celtic fiddle folk rock’ music. “When I hear my music, I would someday like to get goose bumps from it. When my friends hear my music, I want them to feel like they are closing their eyes and looking at the sun. When strangers hear my music, I want them to think back to Halloween when they were young.”
Only time will tell whether Mike Underwood decides to board the ship of flashing lights, turbulent nights and stalkers. For now, he’s content with being captain of his own speed boat.
For newly released music and performance dates from Mike Underwood, check him out on Layne Underwood MySpace.
Credit: MySpace Music
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