MBD

Michael Barrett Dixon is a composer, songwriter, producer and music educator.

May 23, 2023:

AFSP logoExciting news to share: all streaming revenues for “The Teasdale Album” which releases June 16 worldwide on all streaming platforms will be donated to the Virginia and Missouri chapters of the charity American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Why this charity and why Missouri and Virginia? This album blends the amazing lyrical poetry of 20th century American poet Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) with my 21st century electronic music and synth-pop. Tragically, at age 48, Sara took her own life after battling depression and illnesses. Sara was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was buried there, thus my choice for Missouri’s AFSP chapter. I was born in Virginia and have lived here for a large chunk of my life, thus I want to support the Virginia chapter of AFSP.

My hope is that this album brings awareness to the amazing poetry of Sara Teasdale so a new generation can enjoy what I discovered years ago. After all, she won the award that is considered the first Pulitzer Prize for poetry (it wasn’t called that at the time). I also hope that my donations to AFSP can help others navigate through tough times and find brighter pathways in their lives. I’m certain Sara would have been a well-known national treasure had she not left us so soon.

May 18, 2023:

In addition to the album release coming up, I’m also producing music videos for many of the tracks! They’ll be released as we approach the June 16 album release and can be accessed on my Facebook page and YouTube channel. Here are 6 videos representing the first 6 tracks of the album:




April 20, 2023 Update:

The Teasdale Album

The Teasdale Album (electronic/synth pop) is finally DONE! After writing, rewriting, reimaging and re-recording numerous songs dating back to 2008 and running through April of 2023, the album is nearly here. This was my first effort after a 10 year hiatus from composing, and at the time, I wasn’t ready to begin writing lyrics, so I sought out public domain poetry…and discovered the amazing work of Sara Teasdale.

Why did it take 15 years? I rarely write music using other people’s words. In this case, as the entire album was based on 10 complete poems of the American great Sara Teasdale, I wanted to be incredibly careful. After all, I was taking 100-year old poems and applying them to electronic/synth pop. I wanted the words to truly feel organically woven into today’s electronic music. I also didn’t want to insult the Teasdale community nor the Teasdale estate, but I also wanted this project to reintroduce Sara Teasdale to a new audience. While her life was all too brief, her work won the award what would become the Pulitzer Prize in poetry.

Since 2008, my musical toolkit and studio horsepower has evolved and expanded, so that tempted me to rework many of these songs, adding time to the project. I did keep most of my early vocal tracks from 2008-2015, which is good because my range was higher back then!

As usual, a full track-by-track commentary will be published here soon, for those wanting to nerd out on behind-the-scenes efforts and inspiration behind the tracks.

January 10, 2023: Update:

After releasing 3 albums in 2020 and an album of all-new songs in 2021, a slight break was needed! While music was created in 2022, it’s all working towards an exciting new release coming later this year. Notes from Mike:

  • Untitled electro pop album: I began writing and recording several new songs for another new electronic pop album in 2022, and that work has continued into 2023. After all the talk of going to Mars (or in some cases, people just in that nomadic spirit following being cooped up during COVID), the ongoing futuristic theme here is about “leaving” and destinations. It’s a return to my electronic pop roots as well. I already have album artwork (created through the use of AI, which seemed natural for this album). A couple song titles include “One Way Ticket” and “Leaving”. The album will start with an instrumental prelude to set the tone.
July 16, 2021: New album Resolved. released!

artwork for ResolvedAn uplifting, direct follow-up to 2018’s moody album Issues, this aptly named sequel, Resolved is full of positive messages, up-beat alternative rock/new wave songs that harken back to the prime time of The Cure, Men at Work, a-ha, and numerous others. After 18 months of a pandemic, there was a need to focus on the positive and finding a way to move on. These 10 songs (and one instrumental) strive to provide that good vibe of resolution and positive outcomes…once you get past the first song! Learn more about each song by reading the track-by-track notes!

You can own it/stream it on Bandcamp with digital liner notes for just $7.00. Other options include:

April 15, 2021: New Single “18”!

To celebrate our daughter’s 18th birthday, here’s an upbeat but heartfelt new single from a parent’s perspective! Anyone with children close to this age (or beyond it) will understand the emotions of this big day. This track will be on the upcoming Resolved. album in July 2021.

March 19, 2021: Announcing New Album in the Works: Resolved.

ResolvedAlthough I can’t repeat my prolific 3-album-in-one-year pace of last year, I am always active! I’m about half way through recording songs for my next album, which is a follow-up of my 2018 “Issues” album. Lyrically, it attempts to provide “resolution” to those issues and is mostly an upbeat and positive-themed record. Well, perhaps excluding the first track “1134” which is “hell” upside-down when spelled on a calculator…for those who didn’t have that kind of fun as a child! As most of you know, I’ve touched a lot of genres in my years. This time out, you’ll notice a new wave/alternative sound. There’s definitely some influence from The Cure in terms of instrumentation, and all the vocal harmonies are real and all me (no artificial harmony devices used). I can’t wait to share a few tracks here soon!

October 30, 2020: New Electronic Album ESCAPE released!

artwork for Escape albumMy third album release of this year is finally here! ESCAPE features 22 instrumental tracks that can help you escape from the pressures of the year 2020. This album is part of my “Dixon Vault Series” of albums, featuring original electronic instrumentals ranging from moody and atmospheric to orchestral and triumphant!

Read a track-by-track commentary for this album that offers details behind each composition, from inspirations to vintage synthesizers used to make them!

The album is available worldwide on over 150 streaming and digital platforms, including these popular choices:

Music can also be used to accompany your videos in Instagram and TikTok! Just do a search for “Michael Barrett Dixon” and the song title.

August 7, 2020: New Electronic Album Music for Modern Dance released!album cover for Music for Modern Dance

The album is available worldwide on over 150 streaming and digital platforms including these (direct links):

As part of my “Dixon Vault Series” of albums, this new release features original works written for modern dance, including pieces commissioned by modern dance choreographers Patti Weeks, Richard Southerland, and Marissa Nesbit McCray.

Most of my collaboration with choreographers was during the 1990s and early 2000s, much of it composed on non-computer hardware…making it especially challenging when a choreographer needed to make changes or add a cue. As I virtually dusted off these electronic recordings and listened to them for the first time in decades, they seemed worthy of release to the world. Perhaps other dance instructors or choreographers might find these unique works useful in their creative efforts.

July 24, 2020: New Contemporary Jazz/Funk Album Opus 2 Released! 

Opus 2 album coverInspired by 8 jazz/funk greats and containing one original big band track, Opus 2 is an effort 28 years in the making! Read about the making of Opus 2 and check out a track-by-track commentary. You can listen to the album at these (and more) locations:

April 11, 2020: Almost Free song & music video

I wanted to write an uplifting song dedicated to everyone in quarantine, to those suffering from COVID-19, to our wonderful health care people, and to those who are isolated from loved ones and friends. The words came easy and the melodies flowed thereafter. As we celebrate Easter this weekend, I hope this song provides encouragement, strength and hope as we all do our part to end this pandemic. Let’s hope we’re Almost Free.

March 3, 2020: Having some fun with Whisper Pop

It’s all the rage, apparently. This faint, drowsy singing style is the latest fad that comes across as intimate pop music, so I wanted to have a go at creating my own. Sleepy Song is a tongue-in-cheek, on-purpose cringe-worthy “poke” at whisper pop.

July 12, 2019: New instrumental EP released!

Aquarium

Aquarium EP is out! Five tracks spanning 25 minutes of amazing soundscapes await! Here’s a few popular places to listen:

You will hear elements of soundtrack, new age and electronic music, a tiny homage to Vangelis, and chill bump moments throughout. Read the full story and notes on each track.

September 3, 2018: New single/lyric video
As school starts for many children this time of year along with the chance for making new friends, I wanted to share a new song based on a real-life friendship between my daughter and her best friend in NC. No matter who you are, there is someone out there that “gets” you. I hope everyone finds that special friend to share life with over the years. Here’s the lyric video for “Perfect Friends”.

June 15, 2018: Issues album released!Issues album
Michael’s new album released on June 15, featuring new songs, some with a slight electronic 80s vibe. The album dabbles in various genres and a few songs (Ego, Take in the View) were inspired by our current president. Missing the World sends a message to smartphone addicted teens, and When We Could See for Miles paints a picture of concern for our planet. Early 80s taps Michael’s memories growing up in the 80s and Passage 21  is about a fictional watering hole. There’s something for everyone!