Mikhael Paskalev

Mikhael Paskalev is pop music with roots in indie and alternativ country rock. Inspired by names such as Paul Simon, The shins, Edward Sharpe, the mamas and the papas and the Everly brothers. Paskalevs set is dynamic and varies from songs accompanied only by his nylon-strung guitar, to a six-piece band with the occasional trumpet and a circus of energy. The songs are mainly recognised by the instrumentation and the strong melodies, at times shamelessly catchy, but never leaves a lovely and raw soundscape. Nerve Magazine: Mikhael Paskalev demonstrates what appears to be a signature element of Red Deer Club’s roster, hushed, uncoiling guitars and close harmony singing. Backed by a five-piece band, the majority of his songs are amazingly spare sounding, with the electric guitar mournfully picking its way through the tracks. I Spy proves to be an exception, lurching into a hoe-down midway through complete with Duane Eddy-esque guitar. The second track, a gently murmured lullaby could easily have been heard crackling out of a wireless in an early episode of Mad Men. Touching almost on gospel music at points, Woman evokes glacial US trio Low, its epically slow pace conveying the full weight of the lyrics’ turmoil. The restraint of the musicians is to be praised as any diversions into Guitar Hero style antics would shatter the carefully spun web of Mikhael’s delicate tracks.