STUDIO GEAR at-a-glance :
• LOGIC X software
• Main Vocal Chain: Neumann U-87 microphone into BAE Neve 1073 or Universal Audio 6176 Limiter/Compressor
• Neumann Microphones, Sennheiser, Shure, AKG
• Plug Ins: Full Native Instruments array, Logic
BIOGRAPHY
“Michael Hanson is one of Canada’s most prolific songwriters” – Kim Mitchell
Michael Hanson was the founder, drummer, songwriter, and a pivotal original member of the Capitol EMI Records band GLASS TIGER from 1985 to 1990. He moved on from EMI / Screen Gems and was signed by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing as a staff songwriter in 1990. He then ultimately became a renowned Canadian Songwriter / Producer and continues to receive a number of music industry awards and accolades worldwide.
With 5 Juno Awards, multiple songwriting awards, Gold and Platinum Record sales, and a Grammy Nomination, he is considered to be among the elite as a songwriting hook specialist and as a pop-rock / Indie Songwriter& Producer - residing and working in his LOGIC based digital studio in Mississauga Ontario.
As well as programming midi with the latest software, writing and recording for new artists, he is currently creating soundtracks for feature films and documentaries as well as some custom music branding for websites and corporations. Producing and co-writing for new and established Artists remains the focus. Altravox Studios continues to supply a rare ‘one-stop-shop’ for Songwriting, Recording, Production and additional follow-up on global music release platforms through the newly established Radar Love Records – which offers distribution and social media assistance & guidance.
CAREER TIMELINE
Became the founder, original drummer and driving member behind Capitol Record’s iconic Canadian Recording Artists ‘GLASS TIGER’.
This came about by Hanson combining key members from his locally
successful Newmarket band “THE END” with another local band (“ONYX”, lead singer Alan Frew) and the resulting band “TOKYO” became the genesis of GLASS TIGER.
1983
1985
Glass Tiger (as “TOKYO”) plays live with Boy George and Culture Club at Maple Leaf Gardens, and at a pivotal moment are discovered by Capitol
Records. Capitol/EMI soon after signs the band to a full record deal.
On the debut GLASS TIGER record “The Thin Red Line” recorded at Morin Heights Studios in Quebec, Hanson worked closely alongside renowned Producer/Writer Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams, Aerosmith).
1985-1986
1986
"Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone", "Someday" etc. released on Glass Tiger’s Debut THIN RED LINE Album.
Wrote hit songs “You’re What I look For”, “I Will Be There”.
Receives 5 (five) JUNO AWARDS with Glass Tiger.
Co-wrote hit song “I’m Still Searchin’” (Glass Tiger) – #1 in Canada, #11 on Billboard U.S.A
Received GRAMMY NOMINATION, USA
1986 - 1989
1986 - 1990
1988
WORLD TOURS (MAIN) – Honeymoon Suite (Canada) Major U.S “Raised On Radio” tour with Journey (USA), Tina Turner (Europe), Moody Blues (USA & Hollywood Bowl), Cheap Trick (U.S. single dates).
Won Multiple Songwriting Awards, numerous Multi-Platinum & Gold Records internationally
Received Gold Record in Germany for ‘Julianne Werding’ on hit song ‘Love Will Find A Way’
1992
1991
Hanson signed as a staff songwriter to Warner Chappell Music Publishing
Co-Wrote in Los Angeles U.S.A. for Warner Bros. 12 Songs working with the following writers:
• Susan Pomerantz (Chicago, Cher)
• Sue Shiffron Cassidy (Chicago)
• John Bettis (Carpenters, Madonna, Pointer Sisters)
• Adrian Gervitz
• Brad Buxxer (Michael Jackson).(Michael Jackson)
• Scott Humphries (Rob Zombie)
• Eddie Swartz (Pat Benetar, America)
1994 - 1996
Released Solo Project ‘Earthboy’ as the artist, also Producer/Writer/ Performer. Hit Single “Showers Over Everyone”.
Opened Studio “Tornado Alley” – Studied and Trained as a producer / programmer in Logic and Pro Tools. Produced over 35 Cds for various artists, continued to write & build songwriting catalogue. Played with Canadian Band “Fludd” for a short period on drums.
1998 - 2003
2000
Wrote, Produced, Arranged, played guitars, drums, backing vocals with ‘Farmer’s Daughters’ on New Country Singer “DONNIE WALLACE”s debut CD which was released nationally, and received airplay across Canada. Hit single “Here Comes Love”.
Kim Mitchell quotes Hanson to be “one of Canada’s most prolific songwriters” on “New Frontiers” Special on CMT.
2002 Television Segment on WTN special, highlighting Michael’s career. 2002 Article on Hanson in National Post, front cover, Arts & Leisure Section.
2002
2004
2004 Musical Director, Songwriter, Theme Creator for Global Television’s NHL associated show “Full Contact Fishing” (Leafs TV, Global).
Writing / Producing for music artists at Hanson’s newly built ALTRAVOX STUDIOS in Mississauga, ON.
2005 - Present
2010
January 2012 “Think I’m A Joke” Bullying Campaign and feature documentary #NOJOKE:
Armed with only a single cameraman and a song called “Think I’m A Joke” offered by Michael Hanson, unknown artist Andrew Cole of Liverpool England knocks on the doors of major celebrities worldwide and successfully recruits and films a charity awareness drive for a film “against bullying”, which was completed in 2019 as a Hollywood Feature Documentary, directed by Andrew Liepsig (March of the Penguins). Top performers from all over the world are filmed commenting on bullying, and then are recorded and filmed performing on Hanson’s song “Do You Think I’m A Joke” in various studios over a 2 year period. Celebrities include Charlie Sheen, Ron Sexsmith, Lights, Randy Bachman, Julian Lennon, Patrick Stewart, Cedric The Entertainer, Sharon & Ozzie Osbourne, Slash, and many more. Actor Jeff Goldblum is filmed playing the piano in studio (written by Hanson).Paul McCartney’s Charity signs on to release the song itself. Harrison Ford has given the project a testimonial, stating it “has a terrific chance to win an Oscar for Best Documentary”.
April 2012 Wrote and performed the first official campaign song for M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drinking and Driving) entitled “Shattered Dreams”. Also, penned upcoming PETA website song in USA.
June 2012 Co-wrote debut hit single “What About The Time” by Winnipeg band TAKE ME TO THE PILOT which came on the download charts at number 3.
June 2012 Wrote, recorded and performed the personal website theme songs for NHL stars Darcy Tucker & Eric Lindros.
June 2012 Key Composer and Music Director for the second installment of “Full Contact Fishing” … a National Sports Television Show (Airing date TBA) with Canadian Entrepreneur / TV personality Mike Kensit.
2012
2013
Re-joins longtime GLASS TIGER writing partner Alan Frew. Their first musical creation of many is an entry for the upcoming theme to the PAN AM Games, which was presented live by Michael and Alan to the Games' Toronto Consortium in summer 2010.
Co-wrote and Produced "Free To Be (Canada's Song)" for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hanson performs the song live at the ACC in Toronto for Hockey Night In Canada with Alan Frew along with other venues such as Leafs TV (live) for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Wrote for and produced 3-song Paulina Gretsky EP (daughter of Wayne Gretsky), who parlayed the results into a Record Deal with Universal Music Canada.
May 2013 Key composer for Super Channel Reality TV Show “Fight Exchange”.
October 2013 Receives National Award from the CCAA (Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness) for his original song “Do You Think I’m A Joke” for The anti bullying movie “#NOJOKE, narrated by Morgan Freeman and slated for release in Spring 2016.
October 2013 Hanson writes the soundtrack for documentary “THE IRON SHEIK” which is picked up by Hot Docs and premiered to a full house at The Bloor Street Theatre, Toronto, in April 2014. The documentary is available on Netflix and The Sony Network as well as others.
November 2013
Radio Ad “Pro Oil Change” written, performed and recorded by Hanson wins SUMMIT advertising award in Canada.
Continuing to develop, co-write and produce for new and established artists at Altravox Studios. Radar Love Records prepares for re tooling and re-launch in December of 2019.
Becomes Head Composer for “The Veteran’s Channel”
2019 Release of his solo career – starting with debut single “The Girl That Love Forgot” and it’s campaign to support mental health - including mini-documentary and follow up media tour
Produced indie rock band “Drop Top Alibi”, winners of HITZFM Rock Search 2019 in Toronto, Single Released : “Summer Nights & City Lights” in mid 2019.
Releases video performing the famed song “Hallelujah”.
Becomes Head Composer of critically acclaimed “POLITICAL BLIND DATE” a factual documentary series currently underway and aired for 2 consecutive seasons. The New York Times does a story on the series in 2018.
Summer 2019 Jimmy Star Show interview, USA.
Writes Soundtrack, including ethereal Theme Song(s) for new Television Series “THE INJUSTICES”, Directed by Calyx Passique.
Michael Hanson is also credited as a feature actor in the series. Currently slated for Netflix.
2014 - 2017
2018 - Present
Hanson is key composer for film “Mummers” premiered at CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2014, most recently a submission to the Raindance Festival.
Hanson Writes soundtrack and all music tracks for “MUCH TOO YOUNG”, A breakthrough documentary on Alzheimer’s disease seen through the eyes of 3 afflicted families. Soundtrack was Internationally released through Radar Love Records.
Michael Hanson on CTV Pop Life Panel