About

Michael Gilbertson, better known by his nickname, Gilbe, came to Chicago from his hometown of West Des Moines, Iowa in 2009 to attend the music program at Columbia College, but he started to assemble his impressive resume long before he moved to the city.

While still in high school, Gilbe released his first album, titled 8 Track. The album is full of of catchy hooks, danceable grooves, and endearing lyrics that drew on influences such as Ben Folds, The Beatles, and Queen. Leah Maines, an agent and best-selling author, said in an Amazon review of 8 Track, “Gilbe has an energetic and youthful vibe fronted by bright piano lines… with a pop hook that you can’t help but tap your toes to.”

“The Artist” was the first single to come off of 8 Track, winning Gilbe an Artist of the Month award on Song Joust, and receiving airplay on radio stations around the United States. Soon after recording 8 Track, Gilbe started playing local shows around the Midwest, including the Iowa State Fair, the Nebraska Pop Festival, and River Fest, an Iowa City music festival that was headlined by Motion City Soundtrack.

Gilbe recently finished recording his next EP, titled Take 2, at Rax Trax Studios in Chicago. Take 2 will be released in the summer of 2012, and it will include 3 new original songs. Gilbe is currently based in Chicago, where he continues to play both solo and full band shows.

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