Discark: Fire Behind Me, by Michael Hensley

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Fire Behind Me

Michael Hensley creates beat-driven electronic music that is also rich with emotion and heart. Frequently contrasting harsh percussion and synths with warm strings and piano, his songs call up the raw feelings we often keep hidden beneath the surface. His influences include Goldfrapp, Moby, Depeche Mode, BT, Bjork, Madonna, and David Gray.

Michael studied piano and music theory in high school before majoring in Audio Production from Emerson College in 2003. He has studied at the Berklee College of Music and has been writing original songs since 2001. And music is in Michael's blood, as according to family legend, he is a distant relative of Patsy Cline (born Virginia Hensley). He also currently works as a graphic designer in Boston, MA.

Everyone Wants to Feel Something, released in October 2006, is an EP of some of Michael's most evocative songs, including the club-ready title track and the soothing Postal Service-like "Take Me Away." Michael has written a full album's worth of material which he hopes to release in early 2007.

Michael Hensley is driven by a fascination with the musical intersection of pop culture and innovation. His songs, best described as "electronic pop," combine heavy beats and synth-laden instrumentation with a keen sense of pop songwriting structure and melody. The end result is a distinct sound best compared to acts like Depeche Mode, Goldfrapp, Imogen Heap, Postal Service, and Pet Shop Boys.

Michael's first full-length album, "Fire Behind Me" (released in May 2007), mines a variety of emotional territory, ranging from the exciting flirtation of "Walk In" to the bitter send-off track "Never Loved Me." He also turns his focus inward, addressing the shock of independence on "Can I Do This Alone" and seeking release in the sweeping "Take Me Away." And sometimes it's all about the beat, as on the thumping album opener, "This Machine."

Michael studied piano and music theory in high school before earning a Bachelor's degree in Audio Production from Emerson College in 2003. He has studied at the Berklee College of Music and has been writing original songs since 2001. Michael's influences include Bjork, Madonna, Fischerspooner, BT, and Timbaland. His previous work includes the 5-track EP "Everyone Wants to Feel Something" (released in October 2006), featuring demo versions of 4 songs later re-recorded for "Fire Behind Me."

Track Listing

	Track Title
1.	This Machine	(3:23)
2.	Walk In	(3:30)
3.	Take Me Away	(4:27)
4.	Everyone Wants To Feel Something	(3:20)
5.	Never Loved Me	(3:22)
6.	Take A Hint	(3:44)
7.	Chance On Me	(3:44)
8.	Totally Gone	(3:45)
9.	Can I Do This Alone	(4:12)
10.	Cold (All That I Know)	(3:48)
11.	The Wrong Truth	(4:17)
12.	Take Me Away (Remix)	(4:58)

More Info

Release Year	2007
Sounds Like	Postal Service, Depeche Mode, Human League, Goldfrapp, BT, Bjork, Moby, David Gray, Madonna, Fischerspooner
Genre	Electronica, Pop
Location	Sommerville, MA, USA