Mike Vial
Mike Vial is a singer-songwriter based in Ann Arbor, MI. His music captures an appreciation for classic songwriters (like James Taylor, Jim Croce, and Cats Stevens) to new American voices (like Ari Hest, Ben Gibbard, and William Fitzsimmons).
For eight years, Mike embraced music part-time while teaching high school English in a rural town of Michigan. He released two CDs, one with producer Dan Achen (City and Colour; Feist), between a busy schedule of teaching high school English and grading essays.
In 2011, Mike left his teaching position to focus on music. He now tours extensively, playing 150-200 shows a year. Mike has showcased for Folk Alliance (SERFA, FARM) and opened for songwriting heroes, like Brooks Williams, Ellis Paul, Ronny Cox, and Graham Parker. He won the Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival award (2010) and the Blue Owl Songwriting award (2014).
Mike’s third EP, Where the Sand Meets the Tide, recorded with producer moon:and:6 (Whitehorse, the Coppertone), made the top downloads list on Noisetrade in 2011, and his single “Reaching Back” was a top download on Noisetrade in 2012.