Uploaded February 2011 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Mishka's musical roots have an almost cinematic sweep. He spent most of his early life on a boat in the Caribbean, sailing from island to island with his seafaring parents and older sisters. As a child of the islands, it was almost inevitable that he'd be drawn to reggae, Rastafari, and the natural mystic that inhabits his music and his soul. Mishka's international outlook is also a product of the fact that he was home schooled or boat schooled, if you prefer. "Learning how to read maps and chart a course was my math and geography class," he says. "Going ashore in different countries and talking to people about their culture was my history class, reading books onboard was my literary education, and picking up French and Portuguese in the ports we visited was my language school."
After taking time out for a stint as a competitive windsurfer representing Bermuda at international meets, Mishka eventually took up songwriting and caught the attentions of Creation Records head, Alan McGee in late 1996. With prodding from his older sister, singer/songwriter, HYPERLINK "itunes.apple.com/us/artist/heather-nova/id499182" Heather Nova, Mishka was signed to a record contract and his EP debut was released in 1999. In 2005, his second CD "One Tree" hit the stands with measurable success, but it was while he was recording his third album, "Above the Bones", in 2009 that his career took an interesting turn. Actor Matthew McConaughey heard Mishka's music from his hotel room during a performance one evening and sought out the young singer, signing Mishka as the first artist to his j.k. livin' Records label. Two of the tracks "Coastline Journey" and "3rd Eye Vision" are featured in McConaughey's latest movie, "Surfer Dude." Mishka has also toured the world extensively including a sold out North American tour, as the opening act for Australian multi-instrumentalist, Xavier Rudd. Mishka's fourth album "Talk About" was released digitally in mid-March, debuting at No. 1 on iTunes reggae chart.
Mishka's bare-bones approach to music, socially conscious lyrics, and hypnotic reggae grooves have garnered him a solid following since 1999. Coupled with his positive energy and a voice that possesses a built-in bluesy quality, he reminds the listener of the familiar sound of a friend they've always known, but never met. Welcome Mishka into your heart and soul, a soon-to-be new found friend.
The Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival event occurs every third weekend in August. To find out more about this year's event and to buy tickets go to www.RootandBlues.ca!
Mishka's musical roots have an almost cinematic sweep. He spent most of his early life on a boat in the Caribbean, sailing from island to island with his seafaring parents and older sisters. As a child of the islands, it was almost inevitable that he'd be drawn to reggae, Rastafari, and the natural mystic that inhabits his music and his soul. Mishka's international outlook is also a product of the fact that he was home schooled or boat schooled, if you prefer. "Learning how to read maps and chart a course was my math and geography class," he says. "Going ashore in different countries and talking to people about their culture was my history class, reading books onboard was my literary education, and picking up French and Portuguese in the ports we visited was my language school."
After taking time out for a stint as a competitive windsurfer representing Bermuda at international meets, Mishka eventually took up songwriting and caught the attentions of Creation Records head, Alan McGee in late 1996. With prodding from his older sister, singer/songwriter, HYPERLINK "itunes.apple.com/us/artist/heather-nova/id499182" Heather Nova, Mishka was signed to a record contract and his EP debut was released in 1999. In 2005, his second CD "One Tree" hit the stands with measurable success, but it was while he was recording his third album, "Above the Bones", in 2009 that his career took an interesting turn. Actor Matthew McConaughey heard Mishka's music from his hotel room during a performance one evening and sought out the young singer, signing Mishka as the first artist to his j.k. livin' Records label. Two of the tracks "Coastline Journey" and "3rd Eye Vision" are featured in McConaughey's latest movie, "Surfer Dude." Mishka has also toured the world extensively including a sold out North American tour, as the opening act for Australian multi-instrumentalist, Xavier Rudd. Mishka's fourth album "Talk About" was released digitally in mid-March, debuting at No. 1 on iTunes reggae chart.
Mishka's bare-bones approach to music, socially conscious lyrics, and hypnotic reggae grooves have garnered him a solid following since 1999. Coupled with his positive energy and a voice that possesses a built-in bluesy quality, he reminds the listener of the familiar sound of a friend they've always known, but never met. Welcome Mishka into your heart and soul, a soon-to-be new found friend.
The Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival event occurs every third weekend in August. To find out more about this year's event and to buy tickets go to www.RootandBlues.ca!
