Mishka

Mishka
Background information
Birth name	Alexander Mishka Frith
Born	1974 Bermuda
Origin	Nova Scotia, Canada
Genres	Reggae
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, Musician
Years active	1997-present
Website	Mishka.com

Mishka (born Alexander Mishka Frith,^[1] 1974) is an internationally known reggae artist from Bermuda. He released his first self-titled album Mishka in 1999 and had a hit single in the UK with "Give You All The Love". He is currently signed to Matthew McConaughey's record label, j.k. livin, and is touring in support of his latest album, Talk About. He is also the face of ECO-Neill, surf-clothing company O'Neill's new eco-friendly apparel line.

Biography

Mishka Frith had a unique childhood and extraordinary upbringing. Born to a Bermudian father and Nova Scotian mother, he grew up on his family's boat, sailing from island to island in the Caribbean. Mishka and his sisters (one of whom is also a music artist, Heather Nova) were home schooled until their high school years.^[2][3] In addition to developing his skills as a musician, Mishka also spent countless hours honing his windsurfing talents. He represented Bermuda in 1991 and 1992 in the windsurfing world championships, before concentrating primarily on his music career.^[3]

Mishka was signed to Alan McGee's Creation Records in the UK in 1997. In 1999, Mishka released his first single, "Give You All The Love" which was an immediate success charting in the Top 40 in the UK and Top 10 in Japan. Mishka released his self-titled debut album Mishka later that year which received much critical acclaim in both the UK and Japan.^{[3][4][5][6][1][7]}

Mishka's second album One Tree was produced by Swedish producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, James Morrison) in 2005. On his third album, Above the Bones, Mishka worked with long time Sly and Robbie guitarist, Daryl Thompson, who played for many years with Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru. It was at this time that Mishka met actor Matthew McConaughey. The two shared a deeply rooted appreciation for reggae music and it was a natural fit for McConaughey to sign Mishka to his j.k. livin record label.^[8][9] In February 2009, Above the Bones debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Charts, and Mishka was named 2009's Best New Artist in the singer/songwriter category by iTunes.^{[citation needed]}

Mishka released his latest album, Talk About, on 30 March 2010. It again debuted at number one on the iTunes Reggae Chart and includes the song "Homegrown" that features Willie Nelson.^{[citation needed]} Talk About also features "Stars Will Be Shining" and "Give Them Love", produced by Butch Walker (Pete Yorn, P!nk, Fall Out Boy).

Mishka began actively touring in support of Talk About in the spring of 2010. At the same time, Mishka and surf-clothing giant, O'Neill, entered into a relationship. O'Neill, the original California surf, snow and lifestyle brand, manufactures westsuits, drysuits, sports clothing and accessories and is currently developing an eco-friendly apparel line, "ECO-Neill", which Mishka will have a hand in designing.

Mishka continues to tour extensively in 2011.

Discography

• Mishka (1999), Creation Records/Sony Music
• In Dub - compilation album (2000), Sony Music
• One Tree (2005), Cornerstone RAS
• Above the Bones (2009), j.k. livin'
• Talk About (2010), j.k. livin'

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 370. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
2. ^ Cooke, Stephen (2009) "Mishka’s at home in N.S.", Chronicle-Herald, 16 July 2009
3. ^ ^{a b c} Mishka Biography, Muze Ltd. (Encyclopedia of Popular Music)
4. ^ Huey, Steve "Mishka Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
5. ^ "KEEP TAKING THE TABERNACLES", NME, 26 March 1999
6. ^ "NME Reviews: You're Bound to be Suspicious of Mishka", NME, 7 May 1999
7. ^ Mishka ChartStats
8. ^ "MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY - MCCONAUGHEY PAYS TRIBUTE TO REGGAE STAR WHO SPARKED RECORD LABEL IDEA", contactmusic, 14 February 2009
9. ^ "Mishka, the First Artist Signed to Matthew McConaughey’s j. k. livin label", Altsounds.com, 11 February 2009

External links

• Official website
• Kurutz, Steve "Mishka Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation

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