Michael Head’s love for music and guitar began at a young age. His father owned a Washington, DC area music store selling both instruments and records, and his mom strummed acoustic guitar and sang country songs. With Emmy Lou Harris and Dolly Parton song books around the house, his father’s love of British garage rock and access to instruments and recordings, Michael’s love for all music blossomed. After moving to Ocean Beach, California, from the East Coast, Head attended and graduated from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. He studied with guitar greats such as Joe Diorio, Paul Gilbert, and Tommy Tedesco, and also learned studio recording from world-renowned producer and engineer Peter McIan (Men at Work, Firefall).
Headtrap
Head moved back to San Diego after GIT and started Headtrap Music/Cabeza Records, a recording studio, label, and music publisher. Currently, he is a full-time musician, music producer, and event coordinator. He performs in several San Diego bands such as The Moneymen (blues-rock beach vibe), Country Rockin’ Rebels (country-rock), Bad Science Fiction (alternative rock), and several acoustic duos. The bands perform at diverse venues, including regular dates for Live Nation and House of Blues San Diego. Head has been nominated for multiple San Diego music awards and has produced many award-nominated albums.
Civic Duty Through Music
In his ninth year as the music manager for the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association, Head coordinates music for Ocean Beach’s civic events like Restaurant Walk, Street Fair/chili cook-off (70,000+ attendees), and the weekly Farmers Market. He always tries to bring a diverse mix of music to “OB” and help artists from all over the world get attention and support along the way.
He has also booked and coordinated music for other large scale San Diego events including the annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival, the largest parade and festival of its kind in the western US. It features three stages with multiple artists and capacity of over 10,000. He has been awarded commendations for cultural contributions to San Diego and Ocean Beach by the City, State of California, and even the US Congress. He has come full circle with Ocean Beach and now uses it as his chance to give back doing something he is very passionate about: giving back to the community through music.
Use Your Cabeza
Cabeza Records is a recording studio and record label that continues the theme of community outreach and artist support. Started in the sands of Ocean Beach in 1989 (literally in a condo at Abbott St and Cape May Ave), the label recorded bands with minimal gear for nominal fees, sometimes even for free. They try to have an “analog mind” meets the wonders-of-digital mentality, giving both easy flow and execution of ideas. Studio rates are on a per song and ability to pay basis. Cabeza Records has over 20 years experience recording in San Diego. They allow artists to produce themselves with a trained engineer, or they can produce, arrange, create beats, and sound design the project as needed.
The label records, produces, and promotes releases from Americana, blues, and rock bands including Country Rockin’ Rebels, The Moneymen, Kris Wott, Markland, and Dave Gilbert. Country Rockin’ Rebels were nominated for Best Americana Album at the 2016 San Diego Music awards and the label has several new projects underway.
Fun with Octave Pedals
Michael Head says…
“What music really comes down to, like a lot of things, is people. Whether you are playing a gig, producing a recording project, or coordinating events, it’s all about the people. If you’re listening to my music at a gig we are having a connection. And especially, working in the studio, you are having some impact on this artist’s future. That means something. There’s always collaboration. People skills and interaction are everything. And working together is what usually makes something great.”
Connect with Mike!
facebook.com/michaelheadmusic Instagram @michaelheadmusic.com www.cabezarecords.com
