Hi there.
I'm Michael Burles.
Next Show: There is currently one in the works! Stay tuned!
Singer, Songwriter, Percussionist, take your pick...
To hear me play some tunes written by me and some good friends of mine, click here.
Current Featured Song
A little ditty written by my friend, Eric TImmreck
Bio
Michael Burles first picked up a guitar in 1997 with the simple intention of learning to play "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire. While slowly approaching this goal, he found himself writing and singing several original tunes, dealing with topics ranging from love to dreams to legos, often drawing on biographical material from his past. With a simple, direct, and at times irreverent approach to performing, Michael enjoys storytelling through verse, both belting out tunes of his own or singing songs by his favorite artists that speak to the universal themes of the human condition. He has performed in five different bands on three continents with seven guys named Chris, in addition to his solo appearances throughout the west coast.
Influences include Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Pearl Jam, Mark Knopfler, Metallica, Kris Kristofferson, Soundgarden, and Kenji Bunch.
Heroes include his Mom and Dad, Admiral Adama, Irwin "F" Fletcher, and Mal Reynolds.
Anti-heroes include Dr Doom and Boba Fett.
Band Affiliations
Minimal Jim and the Porchigans, Portland, OR 2023 - Present
Maximus James, Portland, OR, 2016 - 2022
Grove Valve Orchestra*, Emeryville, CA 2011-2013
The Dung Beetles, Berkeley, CA 2005 - 2011
Thub Rootz Quad, Portland, OR 1999-2001
Merle, Portland, OR 1997-1999
The International Buffet, Adelaide, South Australia 1995
*Awarded 1st Place in the 2012 Forbes Battle of the Corporate Bands - Cleveland, OH - Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame
Past Performances
2022
Dec 3rd - The Burlesque Guitar Club - Sellwood, OR
2021
Dec 9th - Clif Bar Virtual Holiday Party - Emeryville, CA
Dec 2nd - Tomsha Rock n' Roll Extravaganza - Berkeley, CA
2019
Aug 31st - Minimal Jim Music Fest - Sellwood, OR
2018
Nov 14th – Maher’s Irish Pub – Lake Oswego, OR^^
Aug 22nd – Maher’s Irish Pub – Lake Oswego, OR^^
Aug 19th - Minimal Jim Music Fest - Sellwood, OR
Jul 13th - Private Wedding - Sierra Madre, CA
2017
Sep 2nd - Minimal Jim Music Fest - Sellwood, OR
Jun 21st – Maher’s Irish Pub – Lake Oswego, OR
Feb 25th - ACLU Fundraiser - Garthwick, OR
2016
Sep 18th - Guest w/ Local Folk Concert - Chiappera, Italy
Sep 4th - Minimal Jim Music Fest - Sellwood, OR
Jul 13th - Block Party - Portland, OR
Apr 30th - Private Wedding - Cloverdale, CA
2015
Nov 12th - Berkeley Farmers' Market - Berkeley, CA
Oct 29th - Berkeley Farmers' Market - Berkeley, CA
Oct 24th - Mather Campground - Grand Canyon, AZ
Oct 16th - California Hotel - Oakland, CA^
Sep 19th – Private Wedding – Tahoma, CA
Sep 17th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Sep 10th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Aug 27th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Aug 6th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
July 23rd – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
July 2nd – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Jun 11th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Jun 3rd – Maher’s Irish Pub – Lake Oswego, OR^^
May 28th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
May 14th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Apr 23rd – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Apr 9th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Mar 26th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA^
Mar 12th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Mar 6th – Natural Products Expo, Clif Bar Booth – Anaheim, CA**
Feb 19th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA^
Feb 5th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Jan 22nd – Soma Salon – San Francisco, CA
2014
Nov 8th – Private Wedding – Walnut Creek, CA
Oct 18th – Paradise #19 – McKenzie River, OR
Oct 16th – Hot Mama’s Wings – Eugene, OR
Aug 28th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Aug 7th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
July 24th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
July 15th – San Francisco Frozen Music Festival – San Francisco, CA
Jun 19th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
May 29th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
May 20th – Clif Bar Supplier Summit – Emeryville, CA
May 16th – Berkeley Repertory Theater – Berkeley, CA
May 8th – Berkeley Farmer’s Market – Berkeley, CA
May 1st – MayDay Concert – Freespace – San Francisco, CA
Apr 24th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Apr 11th - Grand Prix Campsite Campfire Jam - Laguna Seca, CA
Apr 10th – Berkeley Farmers' Market – Berkeley, CA
Mar 7th – Natural Products Expo, Clif Bar Booth – Anaheim, CA**
2012
Dec 28th - Private Party - Seattle, WA
Dec 6th - Yoshi’s - Clif Bar Holiday Meeting - Oakland, CA**
Dec 1st - Private Party - San Carlos, CA
Oct 19th - Barrelhouse Save the Waves Fundraiser - San Francisco, CA**
Oct 6th - Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, OH**
Oct 5th - Supersonic Jet Jam, Clif X- Oakland to Cleveland airspace
Sep 29th - Gobbler’s Gulch Harvest Festival - Valley Springs, CA^
Aug 2nd - Outdoor Retailer Expo - Salt Lake City, UT**
July 27th - 111 Minna - Private Party - San Francisco, CA
July 20th - Hippie Gypsy Cafe - Berkeley, CA
July 14th - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA**
June 15th - Velo Vino One Year Anniversary Celebration - St Helena,CA**
June 8th - Hippie Gypsy Cafe - Berkeley, CA
May 8th - Phil’s Sliders - Berkeley, CA
Apr 27th - Hippie Gypsy Cafe - Berkeley, CA
Apr 21st - Sea Otter Classic - Laguna Seca, CA**
Apr 20th - Grand Prix Campsite Campfire Jam - Laguna Seca, CA**
Apr 3rd - Phil’s Sliders - Berkeley, CA
Mar 10th - Clif Bar 20th Anniversary Party @ NPE - Anaheim, CA**
Jan 21st - Bourbon & Board Games Symposium - Truckee, CA
2011
Nov 7th - March of Dimes Fundraiser, Olympic Club - San Francisco, CA^
Oct 9th - Private House/Farm Party - Valley Springs, CA^
Sep 17th - Private House Party (w Amazing View) - San Francisco, CA
Aug 6th - Krukmarkaren on Stortorget - Ystad, Sweden
July 24th - Minimal Jim Pre-CD Release Party - Portland, OR
May 28th - Private (and wonderful) Graduation Celebration - Pope Valley, CA**
May 27th - Velo Vino Grand Opening - St Helena,CA**
Apr 30th - March For Babies Fundraiser - San Ramon, CA^
Mar 5th - Snowflake Music Festival w/ the Ice Couch Orchestra - Truckee, CA
Jan 8th - NICA Awards - Clif Bar HQ - Emeryville, CA**
2010
Dec 9th - Grove Valve Ensemble - 2010 Clif Odyssey Tour - Emeryville, CA
Oct 21st - Clif Bar Open House - Emeryville, CA
Sep 18th - Dung Beetles Fan Appreciation Concert - Stockton, CA**
Sep 11th - Totally Rad 80’s Dance Party - Presidio Yacht Club - Sausalito, CA**
Aug 14th - Old St Mary’s Church - San Francisco, CA**
July 22nd - The Dark Room Theater (Hullabaloo II) - San Francisco, CA
June 18th - Craneway Pavilion - Richmond, CA**
May 29th - Tacos n’ Tequila Farm Party - Yolo County, CA*
Apr 17th - Sea Otter Classic - Laguna Seca, CA**
Feb 14th - Rumors Coffee & Tea House - Crested Butte, CO
2009
Nov 28th - Burlesfest III - Portland, OR
Nov 12th - Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival - Berkeley, CA**
Oct 11th - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
Oct 9th - Tyler Hamilton Foundation - Healdsburg, CA
July 23rd - Rubber Side Down - Berkeley, CA**
July 4th - 4th of July Block Party - San Leandro, CA**
June 19th - Temescal Arts Center (For the Hullabaloo of it!) - Oakland
May 22nd - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
May 20th - Clif Bar’s Dancing With the Stars - Berkeley, CA
May 14th - 111 Minna - San Francisco, CA**
Apr 23rd - 2nd Annual Wegmans Acoustical Jam - Berkeley, CA**
2008
Dec 19th - Dung Beetles Holiday Party - Presidio Yacht Club - Sausalito, CA**
Oct 23rd - Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival - Berkeley, CA**
Oct 5th - Hoe’s Down Harvest Festival - Full Belly Farm - Capay Valley, CA
Sep 26th - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
Aug 9th - 60th Anniversary Party - Stockton, CA
July 12th - Private Birthday Party - Woodside, CA
July 11th - Edinburgh Castle Pub - San Francisco, CA
June 27th - Best Campfire Jam Ever - Shinneyboo Creek Resort, CA
May 31st - Its a Grind Coffee House - San Francisco, CA
May 24th - Private Wedding - Redwoods Regional Park, CA
May 22nd - 111 Minna - San Francisco, CA**
May 17th - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
May 3rd - Private Fundraiser - Santa Cruz, CA**
Apr 24th - Angelica’s Bistro - Redwood City, CA
Apr 16th - Wegmans Acoustical Jam - Berkeley, CA**
Mar 12th - Angelica’s Bistro - Redwood City, CA
Feb 23rd - Its a Grind Coffee House - San Francisco, CA
Feb 13th - Angelica’s Bistro - Redwood City, CA
Jan 16th - Angelica’s Bistro - Redwood City, CA
2007
Dec 1st - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
Nov 17th - Burlesfest ’08 (um, early) - Portland, OR
Sep 28th - Its a Grind Coffee House - San Francisco, CA
Sep 15th - Private Wedding - Stockton, CA**
Aug 31st - Its a Grind Coffee House - San Francisco, CA
Jun 9th - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
Jun 1st - Irelands 32 - San Francisco, CA**
May 14th - Private Wedding - Manhattan, NY
Mar 15th - Irelands 32 - San Francisco, CA**
Jan 13th - Burlesfest - Portland, OR
Jan 6th - Nomad Cafe - Oakland, CA
2006
Nov 18th - LAM Foundation Fundraiser - Berkeley, CA**
Sep 30th - Hike Against the Odds Fundraiser - Mt Tam, CA
Sep 20th - Haunted Battlement Harmonies - Saddell Castle, Scotland
Sep 6th - Bike Against the Odds Fundraiser - Berkeley, CA
July 15th - Private Wedding - Eagle Rock, OR
Apr 4th - Private Wedding - Oahu, HI
Jan 26th - Irelands 32 - San Francisco, CA**
2005
Nov 17th - Cyclocross Sumo Challenge - Berkeley, CA**
July - Private Wedding - Skane Tranas, Sweden
2000
Aug 3rd - McDuff’s - Portland, OR***
Apr 29th - Handsome Boy Modeling School Party- Beaverton, OR***
1999
Sep 13th - Ash Street Saloon - Portland, OR****
1998
Aug 15th - Private Wedding - Sunriver, OR
1997
Dec 24th - Recital: “from Bach to Burles” - Portland, OR
1995
April - Flinders Uni Tavern - Bedford Park, South Australia ~
May - Flinders Uni Medical Centre - Bedford Park, South Australia ~
July - Formal Tea, Christmas Style - Bedford Park, South Australia ~
^^ Coffee's Ramblers
^ taking the stage with gusto as the Water Buffalos
* in the debut performance of the Earth Men
** with the infamous Dung Beetles/Grove Valve Orchestra
*** as a member of Thub Rootz Quad
**** with the Acclaimed band Merle
~ as a vocalist for The International Buffet
Old & Technically Obsolete Bio
From the defunct webpage of the acclaimed band Merle:
Born in the wilds of Sumatra, Michael used his powerful voice at a young age to scare off potentially deadly predators, particularly the Sumatran Rat Monkey. It was this early vocal training that led Mr. Burles to a life in music. After swimming to Australia in 1995, Burles found himself in his first band as co-lead singer for the International Buffet (based out of Bedford Park, South Australia). This eight piece band had their most memorable performance in the Flinders Medical Center Tavern, where nurses wheeled patients into the bar from their rooms so they could catch a glimpse of the magnificent band cranking out groovy tunes. After fleeing to the United States in an effort to evade an enraged Gila monster, Michael found himself playing guitar regularly to pass the time and finance his pez dispenser collection. Michael enjoys playing Petrushka chords, devouring small cities, and carbon freezing himself when no one's around.
Contact me
Use this nifty form to let me know if you would like to schedule me for a musical performance sometime.
Copyright 2013