Hidden Stash
Richmond Hill, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2016 | SELF
Music
Press
Hidden Stash opens its audio secrets with the recently released album Mixed Cassette Tape. The band is a vehicle to drive the songs of lead vocalist Michael Gray, the album title name checking the influence of the tunes and the history that helped structured a framework for the tracks on Mixed Cassette Tape with styles of 1970’s rock. Hidden Stash strums an easy rhythm for “Over and Over”, warming the song with organ chords and breezy saxophone notes. Mixed Cassette Tape hits the highway with Country twang at it heads for the road with “Brokedown City Blues”, cruises late night streets fractured by distorted guitar notes that flicker like passing streetlights on “Don’t Walk Away”, and confidently struts “Red to Black” into a better life on a dark groove as Hidden Stash lets a lost heart know where to find love in “Waiting”.
Michael Gray has a musical pedigree handed down from his dad, Jerry Gray, a founding member of Canadian Folk outfit The Travellers, who rose to prominence with a Canada-centric version of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”. Michael’s brother, James Gray, was a thirteen-year member of Canadian supergroup Blue Rodeo. The bloodline kept Michael Gray songwriting with words and music piling up to a point where his Hidden Stash could be hauled into audio daylight with Mixed Cassette Tape. Family receives a tribute on the album as Hidden Stash gently sway the story “Sweet Brother James” as Mixed Cassette Tape stomps out a beat, making a list of troubles in an effort to ward off future demons in “Wasted”, watches neon fade pre-dawn in “Brighton Park”, and uses Gospel keyboards along with choir harmonies to march down the aisle to ask “Are You with Me?”. - The Alternate Root
'Mixed Cassette Tape' may have something of a retro feel, however each song has a crisp freshness to it as typified by the featured song 'Chasing Sunsets'. The musicianship is first class and the vocals add some heart to the album. It's another case of like the song, then you'll love the album. - Beehive Candy
Sometimes you need a dose of classic-style rock to go along with your dessert. “Don’t Walk Away”, new from new Canadian band Hidden Stash, is the ultimate throwback to the seventies. Let’s rock out. - I Sing In The Kitchen
Lots of energy comes through, great track. Love the blues rock sound to it… we'll include it on shows and playlists. – Andrea Young, Artist development agency owner, record label owner, new music radio show host - Aspen Beat
Lyrically, this is smart and easy-going, the story is solid and the structure is really interesting...your lyrical talents are far superior to most and you are clearly a good songwriter. - Song Door 2016 Songwriting Contest
Coolest intro we’ve heard this year. The lyrics are clever and funny and they really work. The structure is sound and the transitions are seamless...we could sing right along without ever having heard it
before... We loved it! - Song Door International Songwriting Contest
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Hidden Stash is a new musical project led by emerging songwriter Michael Gray offering up rock, pop, blues, soul, C&W and folk with a retro twist. His debut album Mixed Cassette Tape is a 70’s inspired rock album that takes listeners back in time when people used to listen to albums from start to finish.
Being the son of Jerry Gray, the legendary folk musician who was a founding member of The Travellers and the brother of James Gray who served more than 13 years’ in Blue Rodeo, Gray grew up surrounded by music. The band name Hidden Stash comes from the idea that he has kept this hidden stash of songs that he wrote for years and is now ready to reveal them to the world.
Mixed Cassette Tape is expertly co-produced and arranged by Derek Downham (The Beauties), and features Divine Brown, Damhnait Doyle, Shelley Coopersmith, Denis Keldie, Jim Bish, Russ Boswell and a sizzling duet with rising roots n’ roll singer Samantha Martin. The album demonstrates Michael’s strong songwriting chops, with musical influences that are not easy to miss: Tom Waits, Van Morrison, The Band, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, and more.
Hidden Stash performs as a full 6-piece band (drums, bass, keyboards, 2 guitars, vocals) for larger venues/rock-blues festivals and as a trio for intimate venues/folk-oriented festivals. Recently, we were invited to perform as part of Canada 150 celebrations and are now actively booking for the fall/winter season.
Band Members
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