Michael Tolcher

A gifted artist in every sense of the word - writer, singer, musician and performer - Michael Tolcher deftly blends unfailing melodic and organic pop sensibilities with a deep understanding of soul, R&B and urban grooves drawn from his Southern upbringing. His debut album, I Am, is an inspired collection of songs and melodies that muse on life, love and social consciousness.

Hailing from Lovejoy, GA, one of Michael’s early aspirations was to be an Olympic athlete. He was well on his way as a miler, running track at Georgia Tech, until an injury sidelined his career and caused him to refocus on what he wanted out of life. Michael began his musical education while singing in the church choir as a child and was always playing more than a little guitar here and there. Honing his chops busking everywhere from the Atlanta Summer Olympics to the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, where his father was the resident chaplain, Michael broadcasted his new musical gospel via a state-issued guitar and enlightened the local prison community on a weekly basis. A chance encounter with renowned political activist, inmate and father of Tupac, Dr. Mutulu Shakur, impacted Michael greatly.

Says Shakur, who was especially impressed with Tolcher’s gift with words, “In his music we are presented with the raw, clever rejection of the forces of NORM, without belligerences. The truth and depth of this artist inspires--begs us for a time of total honesty.” Encouraged by this early mentorship and the affirmative response of his new audiences, Michael was convinced to pursue a formal musical career and embarked on a string of cross-country gigs in clubs, bars and coffee houses in search of more fans.

“When I went out, it was me, my van, and my guitar. It was a reflective time in my life, wandering across the country in solitude, seeking mind-opening experiences. At times it was very humbling, and at other times it was very empowering.” This solitary creative pilgrimage ultimately became a time of self-discovery, inspiring many of the upcoming songs for I Am.