BIO
To Bronx-born Michael Regina, music is a universal language and he's been performing it fluently since his early teens. In the mid-1980s, Michael performed with glam metal band WHITEFOXX, one of the pioneers of the Philadelphia-based Metal scene. In recent days, he's been experimenting in the Electronic Music genre, creating sweeping compositions on the keyboard. His musical goal these days is to capture the depth and raw emotion of New Age, structuring it in a way that will guide listeners on a transcendent journey. Through his music, Michael sets out to tell a story, creating musical moods and tapping emotions that extend all the way to the soul.
Michael's love of music was born at an early age. As a 4-year old, he was intrigued upon seeing (and hearing!) The Beatles during their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. He talked his father into getting him a snare drum, and soon he began playing adeptly to the beat of those early Beatles songs. At age 10, he was discouraged from playing the drums by his junior high music teacher who said "We already have enough drums; you'll play the violin."
Fortunately, the violin grew on him and he played in the school orchestra; over time he developed a deep appreciation for the moods and dynamics of classical music.
In high school, Michael picked up the French Horn and joined the concert band.
Like many young teen musicians, rock eventually caught his attention and he soon taught himself to play guitar.
He was especially influenced by hard rock and progressive bands like Uriah Heep, Pink Floyd and Yes.
At age 15, in the summer of 1975, he and his friends formed Stone Death (later known as Sphinx) and played their first paying gig ($10 each!) at a CB radio get-together in rural Pennsylvania. Soon, he found himself more attracted to the rhythm, depth and power of the bass guitar. Through the rest of his teens, he played bass and backing vocals in various cover bands.
As a young adult in the 1980s, Michael began writing songs and playing with original bands; most notable was the Philadelphia-based WHITEFOXX. Their music was quite dynamic, heavy on melodies and lush with harmonies. Drawing from his roots, Michael was the main writer and often performed lead vocals. Whitefoxx gained attention in American rock magazine "Hit Parader" and the British magazine "Kerrang." Their music was regularly played on "Metal" shows on radio stations in various parts of the world. A few record deals were offered, considered and declined, and eventually Whitefoxx disbanded in 1989.
These days, working from a studio at his beautiful lakefront New Jersey home, Michael is back to creating music; this time with an otherworldly, almost celestial melodic theme. Owing to his background in rock, there's an intriguing, nuanced structure to his compositions; an edgy yet ethereal quality not typically found in New Age music. "New Age music gives me a chance to return to what attracted me to music in the first place; creating moods and taking listeners on a journey," he explains. "Listening to music can transport you to another place...maybe even another place in the universe."
Photo by: Christine Kocher