Michael Clem goes through a Circus Brawl
By WTJU
Date: 01/03/2024
Time: 4:30 pm
Charlottesville troubadour Michael Clem will stop by WTJU January 3 to go track by track through his new album, Circus Brawl, out January 6. He will celebrate its release (and his birthday!) Saturday, January 6, at the Front Porch. Something New airs Wednesday afternoons from 4-7 at 91.1FM and streaming at wtju.net.
A recent nominee or BEST OF C-VILLE 2022 in the “Music Artist” category, local singer-songwriter Michael Clem has managed to continue his life as a full-time musician for several decades. For 31 years, Clem had been playing bass, singing and writing songs for the national touring act he co-founded, Eddie from Ohio. Over that time, EFO has amassed a sizable grassroots following, released nine CDs (all independently) & collected numerous Washington Area Music Association Awards. Since 2008, with the band slowing down, Clem has relocated from Northern Virginia to Charlottesville where he’s established quite a foothold in its musical scene, with a variety of solo, duo, trio & ensemble configurations.
Ten years after Clem’s first solo album, 1st & 40 (2006), came the better-late-than-never sophomore release Fifty Clementines (2016). With thirteen previously unreleased songs, Clem brought in 30 friends from all over Virginia to contribute in the fine Charlottesville JLM Studios where he co-produced with James McLaughlin. During the pandemic shutdown, Clem teamed up with longtime musical friend Rusty Speidel to produce his most recent 5-song EP, Rivannarama (2021). Reuniting with McLaughlin at his new Mountainside Studio, Clem now releases Circus Brawl (2024) on his brand new Mangelwurzel Records label. Nine new songs are included, which feature the talents of almost a dozen instrumental friends, spanning the Clem musical palette from bluegrass to roots rock.
Clem has established a firm place in the local Charlottesville troubadour community for the past ten years, hosting the long-running Monday night Songwriter Night at The Local in Charlottesville. Clem is also currently a resident teacher for Songwriting at The Front Porch.
