About Me
- MiG
- New York, New York, United States
- I attribute my success to three elements: hard work, passion and a little bit of luck. When I first heard about Rockstar INXS, a new reality show on CBS, I decided to audition. After years of trying to make it as solo artist, I thought this opportunity might provide my big break. Well, I didn’t win the competition to be the singer for INXS…I did one better and got my very own deal with Universal Classics. Born in the Philippines and raised in Sydney, Australia, I began playing the piano at age seven, but was quickly discouraged by my teacher, who informed me that without practice, I would never become a virtuoso. However, a chance meeting with a jazz musician opened up a world of possibilities! I was finally able to play the music I wanted, in the style I chose. I even wrote my own songs and played piano without having to perfect my Mozart! Who cares if I was never going to be a concert pianist? Stick that up your metronome, I was going to be a ROCKSTAR! .............................................................................. for more about me please visit my official site mig-music.com
30 December, 2009
BURN THE FLOOR!
Visit www.mig-music.com for all up to the minute exclusive MiG news!
10 December, 2009
LIKE A VIRGIN...
When your Dad turns 80 years old, you DON’T miss the party, even if it’s on the other side of the world. So here I am in Sydney, Australia, celebrating with my whole family this incredible milestone. He is looking like a man 10 years younger and is as fit as a fiddle. It has been a wonderful time seeing all my nephews and nieces and brothers and sisters, not to mention my unstoppable parents. I am very blessed with such a magical family. We are far from the perfect clan, but I wouldn’t change them for anything!
I took the opportunity to come to Sydney to then work with an old friend who I have admired and played and wrote with since I was 17 years old. Carl Dimataga and I have always promised ourselves we would make a cd together, and now finally we are. He has grown as a producer, writer and musician every day, and as also one of my closest friends, this cd is truly a labour of love and I am very excited about how it’s coming out. I hope to have it done in a couple of months or so.
We did hit a speed bump along the way. We (Carl, Axle Whitehead and I) played at a private party for the heads of Virgin Blue Airways and they invited us that night to be VIP passengers on the inaugural V Australia flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles, stay at the Andaz Hotel on Sunset Boulevard and then join the star-studded party at the Chateau Marmont. How could we refuse an offer like that?! Sure it took us away from the studio for a few days, but it was well worth the diversion! The V Australia crew were gorgeous, attentive, bright, buzzing, gorgeous (did I say that already?) and just plain brilliant. The new 777 we flew on was awesome (I love that new plane smell). I have to say it was a flying experience I will never forget! Thank you V Australia… I need some Advil…
Happy Birthday Dad!!
Always love,
MiG
x
04 December, 2009
"HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS" CAST TO APPEAR AT BARNES & NOBLE IN NYC
01 December, 2009
"HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS" - PBS DECEMBER SCHEDULE
24 November, 2009
23 November, 2009
17 November, 2009
MiG Up The Creek - 19 November 2009
16 November, 2009
'UNITED AS ONE' TO AIR ON THE RADIO & AS CHOSEN OPM SONG
13 November, 2009
HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS CD LISTED ON THE NY TIMES '09 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
11 November, 2009
UNITED AS ONE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
02 November, 2009
MiG-Man On Mulberry Street - 5 & 12 November, 2009
Check out the mig-music TOUR page for details.
'BLOWN AWAY' MAKES AOL MUSIC'S OURSTAGE.COM'S HOT 100 SONGS LIST!
Check out the mig-music NEWS page for more details!
24 October, 2009
NEW MiG VIDEO!
Visit www.mig-music.com for all up to the minute exclusive MiG news!
20 October, 2009
MiG-Man On Mulberry Street - 22 October, 2009
Check out the mig-music TOUR page for details.
16 October, 2009
UNITED AS ONE E-Card
15 October, 2009
HURRICANE ONDOY
Hurricane Ondoy has caused such widespread havoc and destruction throughout the Philippines, and the reports and images and videos about the flood, also flood my heart with sadness. It's so heart-breaking to see people with not much to begin with, lose everything including their lives due to nature's cruel powerful ways. Memories of the Tsanami and Hurricane Katrina come to mind, but when I see the streets that I know suddenly look like a deadly muddy river, the urgency and desperation of the situation really hits home... Literally!
The Red Cross are asking for donations to help those victims who need your help now more than ever. Every little bit helps. There are also groups that are organising donation boxes etc. Here is just a start:
This is the link for the group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140402736830&ref=ts
& this is the topic from the group with information on how to donate if you're not in HK/Philippines
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=140402736830&topic=10584
On a more personal note, I had an amazing time with the QUEEN SYMPHONIC concerts in the UK. Thank you to all who came, who braved the lousy English summer weather and who came to say hi! I hope we can do more in the future!
I have to say it was an honour and privilege to perform with those that I did, but must give a cheer out for Ricardo Afonso who just finished a 2 year stint as London's Galileo in WWRY. I don't think I have ever heard such a spectacular voice and will never forget his THE SHOW MUST GO ON at the Symphonics. I wish him all the best for future endeavours and am looking forward to performing with him again someday.
In the same breath I must also congratulate my old friend Peter Murphy who took over from Afonso. Peter has one of the best voices I have ever heard and am sure he will be an awesome Gaz!! Another Aussie Gaz!! I wish him the very best and I hope if you are in London to make sure you see him at the Dominion...guaranteed to blow your mind!
Ok, it's been a week since I started writing this blog so let me get this done and posted!! Last week I wrote a song as a tribute to the victims and relief workers in the Philippines in the wake of the storms. 'UNITED AS ONE' is meant to be a voice of hope and a call to arms for all Filipinos and in fact everyone to help with donations, supplies, time and love. The final death toll is still uncertain but the destruction and devastation is unquestionable. The rebuilding of the nation will take years and untold amounts of funds. What worries me most is that since it is no longer front page news, people will forget that the real help is needed right now. Anyway, check out the song and video here. I hope it gives hope and help to where it is needed most.
Well that's it for now. Will post this or it will be another week before I get it out. Raining, cold and miserable here in New York City, but that makes home just that extra bit cosy. Let's remember those who have lost their homes and loved ones while we snuggle up to ours in ours.
Always love,
MiG
X
14 October, 2009
UNITED AS ONE
11 October, 2009
MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER BENEFIT - 16 October, 2009
Check out the mig-music NEWS page for details!
10 October, 2009
MiG-Man On Mulberry Street - 15 October, 2009
Check out the mig-music TOUR page for details.
09 October, 2009
BANDING2GETHER ONDOY RELIEF USA - 11 October, 2009
Check out the mig-music NEWS page for details!
01 October, 2009
HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS ON CD/DVD
29 September, 2009
MiG-Man on Mulberry Street - 1 October, 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
20 September, 2009
MiG-Man On Mulberry Street
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
The Australian - 2nd Anniversary 23 Sept, 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
01 August, 2009
HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS SCHEDULED TO AIR IN L.A.
Check out www.mig-music.com for more details and a full schedule of airing dates around the USA.
27 July, 2009
got MiG? MiG App?!
USA + UK = OK
Having said that, it was so great to be back in the UK. Love London! What an incredible city. Such a style and energy that I miss and crave. The QUEEN gig in Northumberland was fraught with danger: gale force winds, rain and mud looked like the event was going to be a disaster. Probably in every other country it would have been cancelled, but in the UK, the show must go on and on it went! The people came in their thousands and did not let the weather dampen their spirits, and wow what spirits!! It ended up being one of the best of these gigs ever. We were all hanging by a thread but pulled through to make it work. Living on the edge dude!! True rock n roll. The people of Northumberland totally rock the very foundations of Earth!! Love them!!!
I also have to say how sad I was about Michael Jackson's passing. I say this in that it has been sad for many many years now. This was just the full stop at the end of a very tragic story. I feel so bad for him and for everyone around him. His upcoming concerts were going to be incredible, especially for a friend of mine, Shannon Holtzapffel, who flew to LA from Australia, auditioned for the gig of a lifetime with thousands of others but was one of the chosen few to be one of Michael's dancers. The YouTube video of that audition was so inspirational. I am so proud of him and was so looking forward to seeing him shine on stage, and then, just like that, it all ends. So tragic, I don't even know where to begin to express how sorry I am for all involved. I've got to say how thrilled I was to see Shannon and the other dancers so featured with Jennifer Hudson at the memorial. So great and proud of Shaheen as well singing his lungs out.
Michael Jackson was a hero of mine. I saw him live at Parramatta Stadium in 1987 for the 'Bad Tour' and I was mesmorized by everything that he did. We will all miss you Michael. I hope my little clip from THRILLER:LIVE! gives justice to your legacy.
Always love,
MiG
x
MiG @ The Australian - 29 July, 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
15 July, 2009
PINOY DANCE SHOWDOWN
Visit www.mig-music.com for all up to the minute exclusive MiG news!
10 July, 2009
News Bulletin! MiG GiG Venue Change
Check out the mig-music TOUR page for all the details.
MiG Joins The 'Twitter' Revolution!
02 July, 2009
MiG-Man On Mulberry Street - 6 August 2009
MiG @ The Australian - 8 July 2009
30 June, 2009
MiG-Man On Mulberry Street & 38th Street
MiG will be playing at Eight Mile Creek this Thursday, 2 July as well as at The Australian Pub tomorrow night, 1 July.
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
28 June, 2009
MiG @ The Australian - 1 July 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
15 June, 2009
MiG-Man on Mulberry Street - 18 June, 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
Visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to minute exclusive MiG news!
11 June, 2009
LONDON, NEW YORK, AUSTRALIA
The QUEEN gigs in the UK were fantastic. The Bournemouth Symphony were brilliant. Because we were indoors in Bournemouth, I really got a chance to listen to the amazing orchestrations of Richard Sidwell and the richness that only a world class orchestra can bring. I am so looking forward to the upcoming QUEEN SYMPHONIC concerts. I am sorry that the July 11 concert was cancelled. I am not sure of the reasons exactly, but for those who were planning on going, I can only say that's show-biz. In this economic climate, we are lucky to be doing anything I guess. We should count every concert as a blessing. There are still a lot of concerts scheduled so please look at the TOUR page of my site for a gig that suits you. I promise each concert is an event that will be a highlight of the summer season.
Thank you to all those who came to meet me backstage at the MiG Meet & Greet. I wish I could have stayed longer to chat but for the time constraints on me and lack of space, it really was the only way I could meet everybody and give everyone my equal time. It was so nice to see old friends and new faces!
HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS was shown in Chicago on June 3 on PBS as a test run. If it was received well, it would then be considered for National airing. Well I am pleased to announce that due to the overwhelming response of the Chicago airing, HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS will be aired nationally on PBS later this year. Thank you to all those who tuned in and supported the show. Stay tuned to mig-music for the latest news on this. My congratulations to all those involved with the show.
I am flying around all over the place like crazy again! I am writing this to you from Hobart, Tasmania!! How's that for Down Under?!!
My regards and love to you and yours,
MiG
x
03 June, 2009
HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS PREMIERE
Visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to the minute MiG news!
02 June, 2009
A Taste Of Down Under - 22 June, 2009
26 May, 2009
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY CELEBRATION
HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS PREMIERE
Visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to the minute MiG news!
21 May, 2009
The Music of QUEEN: A Rock & Symphonic Spectacular
URGENT NEWS BULLETIN
08 May, 2009
MiG - Acoustic Showcase - 22 May, 2009
Visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to minute exclusive MiG news!
MiG-Man on Mulberry Street 21 May, 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
Visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to minute exclusive MiG news!
30 April, 2009
THE NY MiGPIES
However with beauty of the blossoms in the trees comes the torment of the pollen invading my eyes and my nose… for those of you who have never suffered hay fever, you are lucky. It can whack you in the face and render you useless for days, if not weeks. I have been dosing up on my meds to combat the onslaught, but there are still those days where nothing works. The activities in the weekend, coupled with the pollen destroyed me! Am only now feeling normal again.
I have to say how awesome it was for so many people to come to my usual Eight Mile gig last week and jam with me. Norman, Kylie & Justin came and blew us away. I was even more blessed by a visiting Aussie superstar, Guy Sebastian. He was the first winner of Australian Idol, I guess our Kelly Clarkson, but this Guy just gets better and better and he totally blows me away whenever he opens his mouth, not to mention that he plays guitar and piano and is super cool. Playing with him and Luke that night was what musical dreams are made of. I went to see him play his regular gig at Drom on Monday night and yet again he blew me away. Suffering hay fever himself, his set composed killer originals and a couple of awesome covers, yet you would never know he was suffering a cold or hay fever. If that’s him when he’s sick… wow. Anyway, do yourself a favour and catch him at Drom every Monday at 8pm.
I am about to pack up for my gig tonight at the creek, and also have been preparing for my forthcoming trip to the UK for the QUEEN Symphonic concerts. Very excited, but have to be sure to stock up on Claratin.
Hope you are enjoying the glorious change of season wherever you are.
Always love,
MiG
x
23 April, 2009
NY MAGPIES ANZAC DAY 2009 PARTY & ANZAC DAY 2009 @ THE AUSTRALIAN
&
Spend ANZAC Day at The Australian with lunch, dinner, 2-up (don't tell!), Aussie movies and more. Great food and drinks. Aussie music playing all day and night. For more information please go to www.theaustraliannyc.com. MiG will be playing with Luke Dolahenty at about 9pm onwards.
For more details please visit www.mig-music.com TOUR page.
22 April, 2009
SHAHEEN!
I also have to say how excited I was to see Thelma Houston carve up the AMERICAN IDOL stage tonight. This diva I worked with in FAME around Australia about 10 years ago, and she blew us away then. She is an amazing human being in every sense of the word, and man can she SING!!! I love you Thelma!!
I hope you are all well and happy and living every moment of your life.
Always love,
MiG
X
21 April, 2009
ANZAC DAY 2009
17 April, 2009
16 April, 2009
New MiG Video Diary Series!
Stay tuned to www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to minute exclusive MiG news!
09 April, 2009
Stripped
29 March, 2009
MiG at the Braai - 3 April, 2009
28 March, 2009
MiG - Live & Intimate - 2 April, 2009
Check out www.mig-music.com TOUR page for details.
Visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to minute exclusive MiG news!
25 March, 2009
BLAME CANADA
I have to say how incredible Vancouver is. The mountains are SO spectacular and the snow capped peaks that surround the city bring a sense of awe to every waking moment in this amazing city. The people are so friendly and the city has a real funky hip vibe to it. Literally a hop ski and a jump away from great skiing fields, it was kind of painful for me to be so close and yet not have the time to ski! Haven’t been skiing since 2004, and I am having withdrawls. So close and yet so far. I will have to come back and do this place properly…and Whistler!
Am about to board my plane bound for New York so I should sign off now. I hope all is great in your world. Can you believe we’re at the end of March?!! What the…?! I swear someone is speeding up the clock.
Thanks Vancouver.
It’s up to you, New York, New York…
Always love,
MiG
Xx
14 March, 2009
MiG - Live & Intimate 26 March, 2009
13 March, 2009
QUEEN SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR 2009
MiG will be starring with other stars from London's West End in The QUEEN Symphonic Spectacular, featuring a rock band and the full Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. An explosion of sound and light featuring all of the QUEEN classic hits! Check out the TOUR page on
www.mig-music.com for details.
04 March, 2009
INXS
I was recently approached by Channel 7 Australia to do an interview with what has transpired between JD and INXS. Like most of you, I have heard conflicting reports about what had happened. They sacked him in Hong Kong with a hand shake/ they didn't sack him/ his contract expired/ they were doing another album... All these are things I have heard. What the truth is, I really do not know.
I have not been contacted by any member of INXS, nor have I ever been asked to join the band. The last contact I had with anyone from INXS was well over a year ago. I also have not been in contact with JD. The last time I saw or spoke with him was in mid 2006.
I have not seen the finished edited interview, but what I do know is that I did not trash JD. In fact I defended him many times. I told the interviewer that JD was a highly creative free spirit who always dances to the beat of his own drum. This is what makes JD the special artist that he is, but would make it difficult for him to be told what to do or conform to rules. Reporters and editors can cut things up to make a story. I certainly hope they did not twist my words but I have not seen it. JD is a friend of mine and we shared some very good times together. He always made us laugh. I know JD will always be ok because he is highly intelligent. That also makes him unpredictable and a loose canon. The guys told me how difficult it was to control him and the stories I had heard from people who supported INXS in Australia all pointed to the fact that this union was not a healthy nor productive one. Thus when asked, I told them I was not surprised that this ended. I am sorry it ended and the way it was done is a very unfortunate thing.
I have only heard the rumours and the gossip and am in no way an expert on the events of what transpired between JD and INXS.
When asked about how I felt about him living out of a car, my first response was that of at least he has a car! I actually decided to sell the car I won on RS back to Honda the day before the interview, because having a car in Manhattan is more of a hindrance than a convenience with all the parking regulations and fees. It was a luxury I could no longer afford. I loved that car so much and it was heart-breaking to see it go. But these are hard times now and you do whatever it takes to get by. In the past few years I too have had to do many things to survive, like sell my apartment in Sydney just to pay my bills and have money to live on. The music business is hard, ruthless and unforgiving. We have all felt the highs and lows as struggling artists. JD said he lived in his car before RS and he now says he is back there. I am sure he will be ok. This is only a transitory stage. I have faith in JD that he will be back on his feet and flying high with the release of his new album, and I so wish him the very best of luck with it.
As for taking over as INXS's front man, it is something I never even thought of and find it ridiculous to even discuss. If they wanted me they would have contacted me by now. I do wish them all the best. I have always been an INXS fan, still am and always will be.
The reporter asked me to play an INXS song in my set at the Bushfire Benefit. I actually don't play any INXS songs in my repertoire unless asked. I did so on this occasion and knew for sure they would use it. In no way was that meant to be spiteful or disrespectful or aspirational. I have done my fair share of proving myself to the band. They know where and how to contact me if they need to.
I myself am gearing up to record in Vancouver this month on a project I am very excited about. So I already have my work cut out for me and I need to focus on that.
I do wish JD all the best with his future endeavours. I have faith in him that he will turn all this around in his favour. I also wish INXS all the best and hope they continue to be the boys that made me proud to be Australian.
Always love,
MiG
03 March, 2009
MiG-Man on Mulberry Street
Visit MiG's official site www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to the minute MiG news!
28 February, 2009
MTV Breaks news of...
&
MiG to play with Luke Dolahenty at 8 Mile Creek for an Australian Fire Victims Benefit Sunday, 1 March @ 8 pm.
Please visit www.mig-music.com for all the latest up to the minute MiG news!
21 February, 2009
OSCAR
I gotta say how much I am enjoying playing at 8 Mile Creek every Thursday. The management and staff there have been truly awesome. It’s like I can play what I want, for as long as I want. I am having a ball. It’s hard work though, starting at 7.30pm and finishing in the wee hours of the morning. It’s a lot of fun though. I always dreamed about playing piano bar in New York City. It’s a bit like selling ice to the Eskimos, but so far so good. At this stage I will be playing until 5 March. I will be taking a few weeks off after that for a few reasons.
The first one being that I will be in Vancouver, Canada for a couple of weeks recording a few tracks with producer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland, The Dudes, State Of Stock) and engineer/mixer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Franz Ferdinand, Norah Jones, Aerosmith, Metallica, Slipknot). I will be working in conjunction with Michelle Bakker and Carla Potter from The Brat Agency as well as the dynamic vodka company from New Zealand, 42 Below. It is with great pleasure and excitement to announce that I am working with these people and I hope to show the fruits of our coalition in the very near future.
I hope to be back at 8 Mile Creek upon my return to New York. I am still not sure when that will be, but will post it on the TOUR page as soon as I know.
Enjoy Oscar!
Always love,
MiG
x
11 February, 2009
MiG joins the line-up...
See the TOUR page on www.mig-music.com for details.
09 February, 2009
AUSTRALIAN FIRES
My heart also goes out for the soul of my beloved Yaya (nanny) Emilia who recently passed after suffering a severe stroke last year. Her suffering is over and she was surrounded by her loved ones in her final days. Thank you for all your prayers and special thoughts. She devoted her life to service and love for our family and she will be very, very dearly missed. May she rest in peace.
I must also say that I am very excited about things that are just around the corner. One event in particular is the Queen Symphony Spectacular scheduled for May this year in the UK. I have been asked to participate and I would love nothing more than to do so, but in this crazy world and even crazier business, anything can happen in the last minute. Nothing is confirmed yet, as contracts have not been finalised. What I can say to those who have already bought tickets is that there is an excellent chance that I will be there. I will never put it up on my tour page until it is definitely confirmed. So much can happen between now and May, but I am moving mountains to be there. I loved doing the concerts last year and am so looking forward to doing them again this year, and they will be bigger and better than ever! So please stay tuned to mig-music.com for the latest updates with that, and other gigs. So many other exciting things are happening too that I just can’t talk about right now, but I will tell you how they go as soon as I can!
I hope everything is going great for you in 2009. Can’t believe it’s already February! Wow. I know there is so much bad news of gloom and despair with the economic crisis etc, but what keeps us going is that we are all in the same boat and must keep our heads above water until this tide of uncertainty clears. It will clear. Just hang on!
Always love and only love,
MiG
xx
21 January, 2009
EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE
I am not American. I am not pretending to be. I am an Australian – Filipino living in the USA. It’s not my country, but I am so proud to be here at this time. I feel the mood of the people in the streets, in the subway, everywhere has lifted. People are smiling, people are talking to people, people are helping each other cross the street, people are being people again, united in their knowledge that this is the beginning of a truly miraculous time. I have never witnessed anything like this.
Thank you for letting me share this with you. May we all be united with getting the world right, and turning the dark into light.
Always love,
MiG
x
12 January, 2009
ANOTHER YEAR...
Made it! Another year and still here! I am quietly blowing out the candles on my birthday cake and am grateful for all the blessings that have been given to me.
I am feeling very loved by the incredible messages of love, well-wishes and support. It really helps me not to feel bad about getting older. The number is scaring me, but I feel younger than ever! I sometimes think someone got my birthday wrong somehow…
I have to give a HUGE thank you for all the Christmas gifts I got over the Holiday Season. From incredibly cute home-made cookies, a wonderful composition book with messages of love, to Tim Tams and Vegemite, I am so spoiled to have such wonderful fans who give me so much joy. You are very naughty to send me presents, but your support keeps me going and makes me feel like I am doing something very worthwhile. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!
A very wise person I sat next to on the plane from Florida yesterday reminded me how important it was to live in the moment, to live in ‘NOW’. Right now, I am writing this to you and then going out for dinner with my wife in New York City. How much more can I ask for?
Always love,
MiG
Xxx