BIO
Having played in a succession of bands in Queensland and Melbourne, Michael
Plater began playing solo in early 2004, following the dissolution of his last band
"The Dumb Waiters." Solo, his music moved away from overt "rock'n'roll,"
taking in various country, folk, gothic, lounge and "noir" influences.
Possessing a deep baritone drawl of a voice, memorably described by one reviewer
as sounding as if "Johnny Cash and Nick Cave had a child together, raised it to
adulthood, killed it, then brought it back to life," his music has also been
compared to the likes of Leonard Cohen, The Triffids, Tindersticks, Joy Division,
and Tom Waits. Fleshing out his basic voice and acoustic guitar style with noirish
electric guitar, cello, violin, hammond and piano, Michael has released two full
length albums.
His 2006 debut "Rented Rooms" was recorded sporadically between June 2004
and August 2005, primarily at Melbourne's Bakehouse Studios. The album gained
airplay and critical attention in such areas as Spain, Italy, Germany, France,
England and the U.S.
His latest album “Our Past Lives,” a more varied collection of gothic folk, Velvets-
inspired rock, chamber pop, spaghetti western, and country waltzes, was released
in 2009.
Playing either solo or under the "Exit Keys" nom de plume, Michael has played at
music venues throughout Australia such as the empress, rics, the public bar, the
rob roy, the curtin hotel, wesley anne, the cat and fiddle, and the espy.
Enquiries: michaelaplater@yahoo.com.au
Myspace: www.myspace.com/michaelplater