The Alluvion presents Milwaukee based singer-songwriter Mike Mangione and his brand new band with Northern Michigan's own Allie Kessel opening the evening.

Mike Mangione - American Songwriter Magazine says: "Lyrically, the tunes are reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen’s ability to describe characters in such exquisite detail that by the end of five minutes it seems as if you’ve known them your whole life. These are people and songs you’ll want to revisit and spend more time with. That’s the mark of a great songwriter, which is exactly what Mike Mangione is. Listen once and you’ll be calling your friends to rave about Mangione."

A lot has changed since Americana artist Mike Mangione left his hometown of Chicago for L.A in pursuit of a music career.  At the time, the most common musical advice one would hear was to get out and play often.  So, after a year and a half of gigging around L.A, Mangione purchased a van and began a life on the road, sleeping at rest stops and averaging over 150+ shows a year.  It was at this time, playing as an unknown soloist, that Mangione discovered three key elements of his music: Sonic subtlety, use of silence as an instrument, and patience.  Fast forward 18 years, two bands, 7 releases and hundreds of thousands of miles later and these three components continue to make up the foundational pillars of Mangione’s music today.  Subtlety, silence, and patience combined with maturation and time has given birth to a woven lush complexity. But it is not only the beautiful ethereal soundscapes that make Mangione’s music so special. It is how he desires to use it.

“Songs utilize a broader palette through the power of imagery, poetry and mystery,” Mangione argues, “to create a complete picture that is accessible to each individual from where they are at in their lives.”  Each song is a form of communion between artist and audience.  Mangione writes every song with that target in mind, as each song is a “dwelling place you can enter.  My desire is to dwell with the listener and ponder things together.”

Allie Kessel is a singer-songwriter creating a blend between folk and soul music. With a passion for storytelling, her music takes listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of life. Allie's music has been described as 'hauntingly beautiful' and 'soulful'.

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