Hi there!
I’m Michael Tarbox. I’m a songwriter and roots musician. I grew up listening to 50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll on AM radio. It gave me direction when I picked up the guitar. I also had a cool babysitter whose records - and wild art-room friends - opened up worlds to me.
The music I like best tends towards simplicity. I like the idea of doing the most with the least.
When I was a kid I thought I’d be writer of some type, and playing music has helped fulfill that dream. As a songwriter I tend towards poles of darkness and ecstasy. It’s not for everybody, but considering my youthful immersion in Catholic iconography, followed by years of listening to old blues, it makes sense.
I like strangeness and intensity of emotion in music. The sense of desperation and need to escape that you find in film noir and the writing of people like Jim Thompson has been a huge influence on me. As a writer I typically avoid personal or biographical detail - not my thing! - though I’m working on opening things up a bit on that front.
Here’s a shout out to my Tarbox Ramblers brothers Jon Cohan, Johnny Sciascia, and Daniel Kellar. Playing with them for years has made me a better musician. As always in music, luck is important, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with them.
I’m currently reading Lies and Sorcery, by an Italian writer named Elsa Morante. It’s fantastic! One of the best and most entertaining books I’ve ever read.
