UIS graduate Micah Walk rocks Springfield and beyond with new album ‘Brightside Fantasy”

Cult hit ‘The Big Lebowski’ being re-released for anniversary

September 17, 2008
By Nicole Calcagno
A&E Reporter

www.uis.edu

If you have lived in Springfield for a while, there is a chance you have heard of, or maybe even seen, The Micah Walk Band. The band is comprised of namesake Micah Walk, John Cardoni, Dan Hartman, and Darin Holthaus. These four local men have created a major following for themselves, having
played in many different states, and have branched out to many media outlets. This is just the beginning for The Micah Walk Band.

Micah Walk grew up in Girard, Ill. not to far from Springfield and was always into music. He worked at Samuel Music teaching guitar lessons while
working on a degree from UIS. While going to school and working, Walk played at as many open mic nights and shows as he could. He graduated from UIS in 2005 with a degree in Communications, and set out with his band to really pursue his music.

“Brightside Fantasy” is the new release from The Micah Walk Band. I’ve seen the band perform many times, so I was familiar with some of the songs before I got the album in my hands. When I actually heard this album, I could not believe my ears. This album is amazing on so many
levels. The lyrics, the music, the cohesiveness of the band-- everything--
was quality all around. It sounds more like a major label band rather than a band out of central Illinois.

In comparison to their first album ,“Change,” this album definitely has a more mature and different sound to it. There are 15 tracks on the album and there is not one that I do not like. There are slower songs like “I Don’t
Mind,” and “Goodbye Austin,” but also fun, faster songs like “Come On Mary,” and “Can’t Complain.” My personal favorite song is “Late Nights,” which was just featured on a major market radio station in Chicago. Another one I really like is “Brightside Fantasy,” which is played regularly in Springfield on a local music show. The band was also featured on another radio station with live in studio performances where they played “Diamond
Ring.” Other notable songs on the album are “Already Know,” and “What I Need And What I’m Trying To Get.”

If you want to check out The Micah Walk Band you can find them on myspace at www. myspace.com/micahwalk. Their next show will be Saturday, September 19th at Bar None at 9:00 P.M. I highly recommend checking out the band and their album “Brightside Fantasy.”