Michael Hensen

© January 17, 2008
Virginia Beach singer, songwriter and guitarist Michael Hensen has been performing solo for 13 years and has penned a few songs with other singers, among them Virginia Beach R&B artist Taurean Cooke and Chesapeake hip-hop artist Ace Lawrence/Blood Diggy.

Before his solo career, the 35-year-old Hensen, who performs modern rock, was a member of several local bands, ending with a stint in Jack Tripper. Yes, like the “Three’s Company” character.

His most recent project, the CD “Return to Life,” was released last fall.

“It was a combination of live-recorded tracks (engineered) by local musician Norman Harrell and four songs that I recorded and produced in the studio,” his former Digital One Studios in Virginia Beach.

He’ll play Saturday at University Pizza in Norfolk. Here’s what he had to say:

What is your earliest musical memory?

I had this laptop cassette recorder. I used to … play my own tunes in the back of my parents’ station wagon. The first artists that I was big into were David Bowie and Queen.

What’s your worst performance memory?

One night about eight years ago I had bombed many covers throughout the night – I mean forgetting chords and lyrics. I even forgot some of the lyrics to my own songs. That same night the PA system was going haywire picking up police radio transmissions from the police station . It was so loud it almost blew the speakers.

Have you ever been stiffed by a venue and, if so, what happened?

It wasn’t too long ago that I was playing at a venue at the Beach. It was supposed to be a paid gig, but since the attendance was low, they decided that they wouldn’t be able to pay me. … They did take care of my tab, but I only had two beers.

What inspires you?

God and Christ. My experiences, family, friends, nature, surfing and really great music.
- The Virginia Pilot/By Patty Jenkins