Guitar Rock: Mike of Dark Matter

Mike playing


Interview with Mike

Artist: Mike from the band Dark Matter
Medium: Guitar and vocals
Location: Washington Square Park

I was introduced to Mike by longtime drummer and Washington Square artist Tyreke. A testament to the potential intimacy among the anonymous millions of the city, Mike met Tyreke in Washington Square Park and the two became friends through music. Both regulars to the park, Mike and Tyreke began jamming together this past summer. Mike
points out, though, that while New York is a great place to find musical collaboration, there are plenty of artists in the park with whom he doesn’t click.

Mike is a guitarist and vocalist in rock band Dark Matter and plays gigs with the band as well as jamming in the park. Initially from Brooklyn, Mike taught himself to play guitar as a child and has been pursuing music ever since. Now a native of the village, Mike enjoys coming to the park to “meet chicks, get high and have fun.” Mike says that playing in public “keeps him off the street and out trouble” noting, with a wry chuckle, that he’s been coming to the park for “a few years, just a few.”

Currently Mike and his band Dark Matter are recording a CD of original tunes. When the CD is done the other guitarist in the group wants to get a permit to play on the Washington Square Park stage – Mike’s got his reservations. Although he admits the potential economic benefit of amping up on the stage, Mike explains “when bands play and they’re, like, loud and we’re over here trying to play we’re kina pissed off about it. I don’t wanna be one of those guys.”

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Regardless, Dark Matter’s music is good and if you like what you hear try contacting Mike and his band
Streetshoot@gmail.com