The Sandspur

Issue date: 10/29/04 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: MICHAELTOLCHER.COM CATCH A GLIMPSE: Tolcher rocks out to deeper social issues.

It is impressive in a world of pop rock blunders and overdone crooning cronies to find a singer-songwriter that not only writes and sings their own music, but actually sounds good doing it, too. If transcendence to another musical level is what we were looking for, then the passionate, lyrical alt-rock of Michael Tolcher has come to answer our prayers.

Tolcher's CD debut I Am is comprised of light and airy vibes with rock, gospel, R&B, and blues roots indicative of his southern Georgia upbringing. Many of his songs are reminiscent of early John Mayer and Dave Matthews, complimented with Tolcher's distinctive and sultry voice. Interesting to note is that though Tolcher's music is a little bit of everything except hip-hop, his early encouragement and drive to become a musician were the result of a relationship with Tupac Shakur's father.

But unlike many of his young rock peers, Tolcher hits on a deeper level of social consciousness, addressing cultural issues of diversity, drugs, and teen pregnancy in such catchy tracks as "Sooner or Later" and "Mission Responsible." But this guy is not all sap, preaching, and love songs. Listeners can also see his funky, fresh, and seductive side on more upbeat numbers such as "No One Above" and "Taxi Ride Kinda Night." Michael Tolcher's passion and reflection shine through in I Am, making him one of most inspiring indie rockers to come along in a long while. With the impressive production credits on his debut album, it's no wonder that Tolcher has hit the scene with such an amazing work of musical genius.

Tolcher has also recently made headlines on the national television scene when his single "Sooner or Later" was chosen as the theme song for the ABC teen drama Life as We Know It, starring Kelly Osbourne among others. Newfound fame hasn't kept the hardworking Tolcher from reaching his fans as the past few months, aside from talk show and series stints on shows like NBC's American Dreams, have been mostly comprised of tour dates with Sister Hazel and Gavin DeGraw.

But get this, Rollins--and here's where you really need to pay attention--inside sources say that Tolcher, as part of a contract deal with Gavin DeGraw, will be opening for the proclaimed star of the November 9 show at our very own Alfond Sports Center. So, as Michael Tolcher so aptly puts it in his amazing first track "Mission Responsible," "be a part of the celebration/make the plan or the cancellation/quick decisions/let's change our minds" - in other words, make room in your schedules, quickly decide to buy those tickets, and get your alternative-rock-loving-behinds to next week's amazing concert to see what the up-and-coming fame and inspirational power of Michael Tolcher is all about. Plus if you buy tickets beforehand it is only $10, so get out there!

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