Heyday	Papi
	n/a
	James Malone
Heyday is the Debut EP from Dublin based solo artist Mic Christopher. At first listen you fail to hear the intricacies and arrangement of his voice with accompanying vocals from Gemma Hayes. On further listens you hear the luscious blend of harmony and subtlety as he woes you through the pleasant and summery four songs. The EP was recorded with friends and former Mary Janes band members. The opening track "Heyday" features his deep distinctive voice with backing vocals from Karl Odlum. He follows on with the melodic lullaby "Listen girl". Track three "Looking for Jude" is in my opinion the strongest track on the EP. This is a blend of great lyrics matched with fluctuating vocal tones and a heart warming chorus. "Kid`s song" is the last track on the EP. A folk driven song with pleasant backing vocals. If these tracks are anything to go by, his next EP will bring us further into his captivating vocal ensemble. We are also promised a duet with Gemma Hayes which should create the perfect balance of harmony and sound. A heart warming mix of folk and melody.

	Heyday	Papi
	n/a
	Daniel Hegarty
If you look at the history of lead vocalists going on to have solo careers after a group splits up, history has told stories of conflicting fortunes. At one extreme there Neil Young (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), John Lennon (The Beatles) and Michael Jackson (The Jackson Five) who managed to remain successful. The other tells of opposing fortunes, Paul Westerberg’s career suffered greatly after leaving The Replacements, as did Gary Barlow’s following Take That’s parting. The Mary Janes never reached that kind of status, but they had a loyal following in Dublin, so on the announcement of their break-up last year, it ended a small part of Dublin’s musical history. There were no emotional scenes, but many were genuinely sad at losing a band that seemed to be reaching their prime. Vocalist Mic Christopher has wasted little time dwelling on what might have been and put out an independent EP, the title of which may give you an idea of what was/is going through his mind these days. It’s four tracks recorded with friends and former band members that do nothing but warm the heart. You get the impression that this is more like something to let people know that he’s still here and hasn’t given up making music yet. If tracks like ‘Kid’s Song’ and ‘Looking For Jude’ are anything to go on, we’re in for quite a treat when he puts out a full album.

	Heyday	Papi
	n/a
	Ronan Casey
A self financed, self released EP of curious charm and warmth, Dublin based singer/songwriter Mic Christopher has been growing in stature as each week passes by thanks largely to some key support slots across the capital. A regular at the Frames' multi-supported shows Mic has the Frames to thank in spades with this debut EP. Managed by the same manager helps, as does the presence of Frames six-stringer David Odlum. But that's where any comparisons that there may be end. Mic Christopher has that kind of folky voice that crops up a lot with your Dad's record collection. A warm, quivering country drawl that reminds the listener of dozens of vocalists including the bloke from Credence Clearwater Revival, Eddie Vedder and even a teenage Neil Young before he learned how to attack an electric guitar and grow his hair. The opening track 'Heyday' is an instantaneously catchy vibe on saying "Hey!", makin' up the years and foolin' around (in the hay?). Gloriously homemade in feel and execution it's the perfect introduction to this DIY talent. The rest of the EP pans out gently enough with a bluesy country feel that grows ever warmer with repeated listens. If 'Listen Girl' were any warmer it would be an oven while 'Looking For Jude' could have been written around a campfire at Woodstock. There are a million and one acoustic troubadours (un)plugging around Dublin at the moment. Some are good (David Kitt, Pete Courtney, Adrian Crowley to name but three), some dreadful (no names to protect the guilty) and you can now add Mic Christopher to that list of quality. Check him out, you won't be disappointed.

	Heyday	Papi
	28 January 2004
	Phil Udell
You can argue about the merits of using music in adverts, but there is omething inherently right about Heyday's current incarnation. Maybe it helps just to hear the song in a different context, away from the sadness of recent times. Whatever, this is a record that is simply stuffed full of joyous feelings and, while it will never now be anything but a poignant reminder, it will also continuously lift the spirits. Heyday was always meant to be Mic's passport to greater acclaim. In a funny way it still is.