Michael Burke, the New York-based producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, is back after a five-year break from music with his new single “Apophenia”. Released as the second track from his upcoming EP, “A Strange Mistake to Make”, Burke showcases his unique ability to blend pop elements with experimental sounds. This acts as the follow-up to his previous single “And lo! We Dance”.
Written, produced, mixed, and mastered by Michael Burke, himself, “Apophenia” is a bold track, combining distorted percussion, layered auto-tuned vocals, intricate guitar solos, and delicate acoustic fingerpicking. Burke describes the song as a playful twist on “pretentious pop in 6/8,” humorously underlining the complexity and quirkiness of the single. This combination is fueled more so by the emotion felt in the vocals, it’s clear there’s strength and grit behind these words, making the audience effortlessly connect while the amalgamation of sounds plunge us into the unknown. Showcasing an apt ability to combine and control musical elements, Burke stands out as an interesting experimental artist who is set to make an impact on all who listen to his music.
“This track began as an assignment for a songwriting class at NYU,” Burke explains. “The playful lyrics use the concept of apophenia to combine unexpected and disparate ideas into a cohesive whole and were loosely inspired by some of the feelings I was going through while getting divorced. The dictionary definition of ‘apophenia’ is ‘the tendency to perceive a connection or meaningful pattern between unrelated or random things (such as objects or ideas).’
“While the term can sometimes be used to describe symptoms of mental illness or psychedelic drugs,” he continues. “We all experience this phenomenon constantly. A common example of this is the well-known ‘gambler’s fallacy.’ However, I see this concept play out in every aspect of our lives by people of all backgrounds. So I thought I would toy with that.”
Burke has always had a passion for pushing boundaries. Growing up immersed in the music of the ’60s and ’70s, he honed his love for songwriting while becoming fascinated by unusual sounds and intricate details in production. His distinct brand of indie rock combines pop melodies with complex harmonies, dissonant guitar riffs, and philosophical lyrics. It’s this balance between the familiar and the unconventional that defines Burke’s music.
Following the release of his debut EP, “Pink Elephants & Saccharine Smiles”, under the band name Lilted in 2014, Michael Burke made the choice to step away from music. During his hiatus, he focused on building his expertise in software development, completing a master’s degree in the field and working at leading audio tech companies such as iZotope and Sonos. In this period, Burke also got married and relocated to the suburbs.
As time went on, the creative drive pulled him back to music. By 2021, he had returned to New York City to pursue a master’s in Songwriting at NYU. He spent the next few years producing for other artists across various studios, eventually opening his own studio in SoHo in early 2024.
Burke’s upcoming EP “A Strange Mistake to Make” is set to be released on November 8, 2024, with credits featuring contributions from musicians Sam KS, Piero Perelli, JC Ignacio, Gabe Noel, Jordan Kerr, and Sirena Maré. With this release, Michael Burke proves he is back and ready to take listeners on a sonic journey filled with unexpected twists and bold experimentation.
Now, with his upcoming EP “A Strange Mistake to Make”, Burke is ready to reintroduce himself to the music scene as a solo artist. The new material is a culmination of years of experience, both musically and personally, and “Apophenia” offers a glimpse of what’s to come from his highly anticipated release.
“A Strange Mistake to Make”, by Michael Burke, is available to download and stream, right now. Look out for his debut solo EP, set to be released in Nbojfbp