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Michael Plishka

Northbrook, IL  USA
October 11, 2000
3,141 plays
18,823 views
Music defying categorization, soaring from the soul... Share the journey...
Band/artist history
Michael Plishka has long believed that music is a reflection of the soul, but in his case it’s a reflection of biology as music seems to be in his genes. A first generation American born to Ukrainian parents who fled to the United States after witnessing the horrors of World War II, Plishka was born in Chicago, Illinois, where his entire family has been involved in the arts. His father directed choirs and played violin, mandolin, piano and guitar; his mother sings, paints and draws; his older brother has a beautiful voice; and his younger brother plays piano and drums. After initial lessons on the piano, Plishka discovered the guitar as his instrument of choice, strumming along to favorite recordings by the Eagles and Paul Simon. In high school, he began singing in Ukrainian Church and folk choirs and eventually inherited the job of directing small liturgical choirs and leading those singers first directed by his father. He was involved in dance and musicals throughout his high school years. Then he took up songwriting in earnest with a small group of friends, also bilingual, and formed a group called Half-Na-Piv, or Half-and-Half, a description of an act performed both in Ukrainian and English. As the young musicians matured, the group cemented and lasted for 13 years, playing gigs from Omaha to Cleveland. Plishka’s percussive, aerobic style began to take shape, and the band changed a few members and its name to The Cause. In the mid-90s, Plishka played in other bands with other musicians and began performing original music as well. He played in Champaign, Illinois, with the band Hot, Sticky and Confused, and in Chicago with Mystic Lemming. Despite an intensive musical resume, Plishka has also nurtured his interests in ice hockey, fencing, luge, fishing and golf. Mike is affiliated with BMI.
Have you performed in front of an audience?
That's what it's all about! Every second on stage is a special moment.
Your musical influences
Luka Bloom, Michael Hedges, U2, The Eagles, Jim Croce, Paul Simon, Suzanne Vega, Bruce Cockburn, The Church, Pink Floyd(to name a few) and Classical and World Music.
Anything else?
Thanks to everyone who supports me and other independent musicians!
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Acoustic & Acoustic Folk Music artist from Northbrook, IL. New songs free to stream. Add to your playlist now.