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Mike Grutka

  • Home
  • The Albums
  • Videos
  • About Mike
  • The News
  • Shows
  • Contact
  • Spotify

Get the new EP "While I was Away"

"What you've got here is a masterpiece" Dave Michaels WEXT

ORDER TODAY
While I was Away

While I was Away

Mike Grutka

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"Could be your best yet. You've got gold here". Chris Wienk, Program Director WEXT

"Cinematic. Beautifully polished cohesive set of songs. I'm left wishing for more. What you've got here is a masterpiece. I can safely say this is going on my Best of 2022 list" Dave Michaels, WEXT

"World Goes Round" is in my Top 5 favorites by you" Rebecca S.


"Could be your best yet. You've got gold here". Chris Wienk, Program Director WEXT

"Cinematic. Beautifully polished cohesive set of songs. I'm left wishing for more. What you've got here is a masterpiece. I can safely say this is going on my Best of 2022 list" Dave Michaels, WEXT

"World Goes Round" is in my Top 5 favorites by you" Rebecca S.


Albums/EP's are important. It'd be awesome if you listened all the way through in order.

These are songs about feeling lost and alone in the world.

I really like them. I hope you do too
peace
Mike
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  1. 1
    Floating 2:24
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  2. 2
    Gone 3:58
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  3. 3
    World Goes Round 2:29
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The Albums

Painting the Silence Vol 1

Painting the Silence Vol 1

Mike Grutka

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Super awesome cosmic funky acoustic dreamy pop folk rock. That about covers it.
Recorded in an apartment, a basement, a studio, a barn and with many dogs around.

Hope you like it!
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  1. 1
    Find it Out 3:56
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  2. 2
    Fallen 3:39
    0:00/3:39
  3. 3
    Running Away 3:03
    0:00/3:03
  4. 4
    Hey Hey 3:02
    0:00/3:02
  5. 5
    Eyes to the Sky 4:36
    0:00/4:36
  6. 6
    Winter Song 3:55
    0:00/3:55
  7. 7
    I Know You Know 4:10
    0:00/4:10
  8. 8
    Dream of You 3:28
    0:00/3:28
  9. 9
    Painting the Silence 5:56
    0:00/5:56
  10. 10
    See the Light 5:26
    0:00/5:26
February Sessions

February Sessions

Mike Grutka

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Recorded as part of the RPM challenge 2010.


“on this batch of 11 impressive original songs,…No question about it, this is Grutka’s best work yet.”
Greg Haymes, nippertown.com

“February Sessions, written and recorded for this year’s RPM challenge finds the one-man band in a loose, live mode (Out of Time era R.E.M. and Gin Blossoms come to mind)
Recorded as part of the RPM challenge 2010.


“on this batch of 11 impressive original songs,…No question about it, this is Grutka’s best work yet.”
Greg Haymes, nippertown.com

“February Sessions, written and recorded for this year’s RPM challenge finds the one-man band in a loose, live mode (Out of Time era R.E.M. and Gin Blossoms come to mind)
John Brodeur, Metroland

“… After 2009’s long-labored-over “Ria,” Saratoga Springs songwriter Grutka took the RPM Challenge, writing and recording all of these 11 songs during the shortest month of the year. It’s raw and unpolished, but these songs are perhaps the best Grutka has ever written, his friendly melodies and vocals feeling completely at ease and lived in.
Brian McElhiney, Daily Gazette (‘What We Loved this Year: Local Music)
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  1. 1
    Circle 3:09
    0:00/3:09
  2. 2
    How the Story Ends 3:57
    0:00/3:57
  3. 3
    La La Song 3:23
    0:00/3:23
  4. 4
    She Said 3:55
    0:00/3:55
  5. 5
    You Will See Me 4:03
    0:00/4:03
  6. 6
    This Is 4:18
    0:00/4:18
  7. 7
    Find Your Home 5:13
    0:00/5:13
  8. 8
    Coming Back Down 3:17
    0:00/3:17
  9. 9
    Escape 4:12
    0:00/4:12
  10. 10
    Coming Home 4:33
    0:00/4:33
  11. 11
    Lullabye 3:35
    0:00/3:35
Ria

Ria

Mike Grutka

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Ria by Mike Grutka
Zack Daggy, The Mothpod

4 out of 5 stars

There are few artists out there anymore that transcend. The type of artists that used to take you away from the mundane of the everyday, and deliver you into spaces of passion, emotion and soul. With the harmonies of their voice and the magic behind their music they wouldn’t just create
Ria by Mike Grutka
Zack Daggy, The Mothpod

4 out of 5 stars

There are few artists out there anymore that transcend. The type of artists that used to take you away from the mundane of the everyday, and deliver you into spaces of passion, emotion and soul. With the harmonies of their voice and the magic behind their music they wouldn’t just create songs; they created worlds. Mike Grutka has created such a world, and it’s called Ria.

Top Of The World – This first track off of Ria introduces listeners to Mike Grutka’s gruff yet smooth voice. At times, particularly during this track, it sounds very much like Tom Petty fussed with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. It’s sweet with just a hint of a twang. The result is unique enough that it acts as a crucial cornerstone for the entire album and could either make or breaks most tracks. Luckily Mike Grutka’s voice vastly makes most of the tracks on this album. With “Top of the World” in particular it turns a simple pop melody in the vein of The Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” into an alternative/folk track that would make Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers proud.

Denver (Spinning Around) – Deserves to be the one that makes Mike Grutka a household name. It’s not a song of breakout moments, but it doesn’t need them. With catchy hooks that sink in deep and a rhythm similar to R.E.M.’s hit “Shiny Happy People,” this song has single written all over it.
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Greg Haymes- Nippertown.com
Mike Grutka’s ‘Ria’

Saratoga Springs singer-songwriter Mike Grutka describes his sound as “acoustic-based funky modern roots rock ‘n roll,” which sure as hell covers a lot of bases, but does manage to narrow down the scope of things at least a bit.

Grutka’s got some serious talent – Yes, this is a one-man project – he wrote the tunes, played and sang everything, recorded the album, produced it and snapped the photos for the album cover artwork as well. It’s an admirable ambition to present your unique artistic vision – whether it’s music, film, canvas, whatever – without diluting it with creative compromise by bringing collaborators into the picture. And Grutka comes pretty damn close to pulling it off with this disc.

“Denver (Spinning Around)” is my fave track on the album. It’s a great song. Grutka sings in a keening monotone that immediately recalls Michael Stipe and REM. The song is chockfull of ear-grabbing guitar riffs, swelling keyboards and an appropriately propulsive bassline. It’s got everything

Elsewhere on the album, Grutka’s got the right stuff. There’s a baroque (synth) string arrangement on “Sunshine” that pops right off the disc. I love the overlapping vocal lines that he employs throughout the album. He coaxes out a great variety of sounds on the album, too-from Crowded House-like bounce ‘n’ twinkly of “Actress” to the rubbery bass thump of “Standing Beside Me” to the crystalline keyboard tinkle of “Come With Me.”

Best of all, he’s got the songs. Smart tunes with the requisite Beatles-pop roots, to be sure, but he stretches out beyond the usual pop protocol – especially on the majestic “Goodbye” – without abandoning accessibility.
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  1. 1
    Top of the World 4:00
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  2. 2
    Denver (Spinning Around) 3:49
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  3. 3
    Sunshine 4:13
    0:00/4:13
  4. 4
    Standing Beside Me 3:27
    0:00/3:27
  5. 5
    Come With Me 4:22
    0:00/4:22
  6. 6
    The Sea 4:33
    0:00/4:33
  7. 7
    Goodbye 6:23
    0:00/6:23
  8. 8
    Actress 3:43
    0:00/3:43
  9. 9
    Everything 3:45
    0:00/3:45
  10. 10
    Same Thing 3:33
    0:00/3:33
  11. 11
    Sleep of Dreams (Angels) 4:30
    0:00/4:30
  12. 12
    Lifetime (Ria) 5:22
    0:00/5:22

New Music

I Believe

I Believe

Mike Grutka

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It's a pretty love song.
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  1. I Believe
The Light Will Shine

The Light Will Shine

Mike Grutka

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Ever feel like the world doesn't work for you? Get stuck? See other people seemingly get what they want out of life (even though you know it's not true)?

That's kinda this. The push pull of doubt and hope. I tried to get that in the music. The ending is the ceaseless hope I can't help but feel/wish for. No matter what occurs.

Written at the
Ever feel like the world doesn't work for you? Get stuck? See other people seemingly get what they want out of life (even though you know it's not true)?

That's kinda this. The push pull of doubt and hope. I tried to get that in the music. The ending is the ceaseless hope I can't help but feel/wish for. No matter what occurs.

Written at the beginning of the pandemic. Finally finished in 2021.

I'm really proud of this song. I hope you like it

Mike
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  1. The Light Will Shine

Singles

Falling Down - Live

Falling Down - Live

Mike Grutka

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Recorded live a a big street festival.
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  1. Falling Down - Live
9-11-01

9-11-01

Mike Grutka

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  1. 9-11-01

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Videos

About Mike

Live the life you’re meant to live. That’s the overarching sentiment of Mike Grutka’s newest album "Painting the Silence Vol. 1" 

"Painting the Silence Vol. 1" ('Consistently great' Chris Wienk Program Director 97.7 WEXT) finds the Guilderland, N.Y.-based performer broadcasting an inspirational message over a sound he calls “acoustic based funky modern roots rock-n-roll.” Well-established in his home region and having already scored airplay at more than 400 radio stations across the U.S. and Canada, Mike Grutka is sure to reach his widest audience yet 

Grutka's most diverse album yet ranging from intense rock of opener "Find it Out' to the country sing-a-long of "I Know You Know" the overall vibe is loose and live—something not easily accomplished by one guy in a home studio. If a performance was good Grutka stuck with it, rather than obsess over every note; the few vocal parts he attempted to re-record were scratched in favor of original takes. A mulit-instrumentalist Mike handles the majority of the performing with his long time drummer Will Railton and guitarist Brian Kaplan helping out. 

"This is the first album I've made that has a through line" Grutka says. "We all go through this life. Experience loss, loneliness, happiness and hopefully find our peace. These songs take you on that journey." At the album’s emotional center are closers "Painting the Silence” and "See the Light" two songs that find Grutka finding the hope we all search for in life. This reflective tone serves as counterpoint to the rest of the disc: The themes of betrayal and broken trust "Fallen" to the huge chorus hook of “Hey Hey" much of "Painting the Silence Vol.1" maintains an easygoing, acoustic-flavored feel. 

Narrowed down from roughly 80, the 12 songs that made the cut find playful blasts of electronica swirling together with Grutka’s melodious, acoustic-based pop-rock. Many of the album’s songs are constructed around expansive, layered vocal arrangements, particularly the lush “Winter Song,” the British Invasion head-bopper “Eyes to the Sky,” and the single “Running Away.” The latter’s chiming electric guitars and breezy flow recall vintage R.E.M., as does Grutka’s disarming tenor, oftentimes a dead ringer for Michael Stipe. 

Find your hope. As he sings in album closer "See the Light", "All the worries in your life/Let them go" Mike Grutka will sing his life for you if you care to listen. And when you hear his music, you’ll sing too.

“"This album (Painting the Silence Vol.1). You've outdone yourself. Each time I go back to it, I feel these are among your best songs. ...this record is consistently great."”

— Chris Wienk, Program Director 97.7 WEXT

“There are few artists out there anymore that transcend. The type of artists that used to take you away from the mundane of the everyday, and deliver you into spaces of passion, emotion and soul. With the harmonies of their voice and the magic behind their music they wouldn’t just create songs; they created worlds. Mike Grutka has created such a world ”

— Zack Daggy: The Mothpod

“Grutka’s got some serious talent...Best of all, he’s got the songs. Smart tunes with the requisite Beatles-pop roots, to be sure, but he stretches out beyond the usual pop protocol without abandoning accessibility. ”

— Greg Haymes: Nippertown

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The News

Nice words on Painting the Silence Vol. 1 

So I heard my phone beep this morning at 7:07!!! Who is even awake at that hour let alone on a Sunday? Obviously I ignored it and went back to sleep. Wouldn't you? When I woke up I saw that it was an e-mail which I then read. Because that's what you do. Read e-mails. Right? haha.

Now lately I've been a little down. This happens post release. There is so much going on around the release of a record that my energy is high and focused and the excitement is easy. Then there's the let down period. I try to…

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03/18/2018

in painting the silence, new songs, WEXT, CD, Chris Wienk

2 Songs from "Painting the Silence Vol. 1" on WEXT Countdown 

Howdy

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. It's been blistering cold here in Upstate NY. Today is 35 and I feel like I should wear shorts. Heatwave!

I've been laying low and taking a little break but I'm happy to announce that 2 songs from 'Painting the Silence Vol.1' made the WEXT end of year countdown!! I want to thank Chris Wienk, Andy Gregory and the staff for being so supportive of my music over the years. 

You can check out the entire list and maybe find some new favorite songs or artists. I…

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01/09/2018

in painting the silence, new songs, WEXT, Chris Wienk , Dave Michaels, cover songs, happy new year

Post Album Release Projects--Listen to 'Wake Up' 

Howdy.

After all the rush and work to get the album out, I promptly got sick. Really sick. It was weird. It was just a cold. But man it took forever to go away. Lasted just over 2 weeks and I was super tired and out of it. Finally feeling back to normal. 

I am working on a few things.

First there're tons of songs left over from the new record that I am just starting to re-visit and dig through and listen with fresh ears. I like them. They're all over the place style wise and some are more finished than…

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12/07/2017

in recording, records, mixing, remix, lyrics, reach, wake up

Writing Songs. What happens? 

So the new album is out and shipping and people have been getting it. You all ROCK. If you want it go get it here

I've been talking about how 'Painting the Silence' will be continued on the next record. I have so many songs in different stages of being finished. It's a cool 'problem' to have. I have 20 songs that are being considered. Pretty cool.

I know it seems crazy to be talking about this since today is the 'official' release date of the current album. But what can I say? I need to stay busy haha…

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11/14/2017

in painting the silence, recording, records, mixing, pre-order, remix, lyrics, song versions, ria, february sessions, reach

WEXT Interview Monday 11/13/17  

howdy

I got to go into WEXT and record an interview with Chris Wienk about the new album. It's always sooooo much fun when I get to go visit.

I was actually there for over 2 hours. It's been awhile since I released anything and Chris and Dave Michaels and I got talking. One of the best things about WEXT besides the fact they play my music, is that they are ALL music fans. Huge music fans. So we always get chatting about music stuff. Like music geeks do haha

Here's a sneak peak at one of the songs I…

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11/10/2017

in painting the silence, WEXT, CD, interview, Chris Wienk , Dave Michaels, music geeks

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