"The spelling of 'MiG' with a capital 'G' is taken from the Soviet aircraft manufacturer Mikoyan Gurevich, the maker of the MiG jets." - MiG
Born 12 January in Manila, Philippines. MiG's family moved to Sydney, Australia when he was aged 2, where he and his older brother Andrew were then raised. MiG attended St. Patrick's College, Strathfield and went on to study communications at Macquarie University, Sydney. During this time MiG was also a singer/songwriter forming several bands throughout the years, as he pursued his life-long dream of becoming a recording artist.
At the age of 20, MiG landed an acting role that propelled his life on a very different course, taking him away from his studies and into acting in movies, theatre and television.
In 2002, MiG and his wife Simone De La Rue, packed up their life and moved to London, England, UK in order to further pursue his dream of becoming a recording artist.
In June 2005, while MiG was starring as 'Galileo Figaro' in Queen's smash hit musical WE WILL ROCK YOU, he was chosen to appear on the CBS television series ROCKSTAR:INXS, which brought him to Los Angeles, California, USA. Shortly after the finale, MiG and his wife packed up their life again and moved to L.A., upon his securing a major record deal with music giant UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP.
In December of 2006, MiG's self titled debut CD was released in the Phillippines, then in Australia the following month. Then with the addition of three originally penned tracks it was released in the United States and Canada in April of 2007.
In the Summer of 2007, after moving to New York City, MiG took off again to reprise his role as 'Galileo' for the International Tour of WE WILL ROCK YOU. Along the way, MiG's debut CD continued to be released to coincide with the show's opening in each new territory (New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand). The video for SHE LOVED was also released and is now being aired on MTV Asia and Channel V.
In September 2008, MiG is now back in NYC with his wife and trusty dog Powder, and is preparing to record his follow up CD due to drop early 2009, as well as preparing for many various shows along the way as he opens himself up to the Universe of Endless Possibilities...
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'MiG', by MiG:
"I attribute my success to three elements: hard work, passion, and a little bit of luck. When I first heard about Rockstar INXS, a new reality show on CBS, I decided to audition. After years of trying to make it as solo artist, I thought this opportunity might provide my big break. Well, I didn’t win the competition to be the singer for INXS…I did one better and got my very own deal with Universal Classics.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Sydney, Australia, I began playing the piano at age seven, but was quickly discouraged by my teacher, who informed me that without practice, I would never become a virtuoso. However, a chance meeting with a jazz musician opened up a world of possibilities! I was finally able to play the music I wanted, in the style I chose. I even wrote my own songs and played piano without having to perfect my Mozart! Who cares if I was never going to be a concert pianist? Stick that up your metronome, I was going to be a ROCKSTAR!
After high school, I played in a number of bands (Sohcahtoa, The Honkies, Lovetown, Randy Badass & The Slickmaster Five) while trying my hand at acting. I was only 19, but I got the chance to jet-ski through the Amsterdam canals in a TV pilot about teenage spies called Mission: Top Secret.
The acting bug took me to London for several years where I landed onstage in the lead role of Ritchie Valens in The Buddy Holly Story. I was just a kid from Sydney, but I found myself entranced by the bright lights of London, starring in the smash hit musical Rent, and playing Galileo, the lead role, in the musical We Will Rock You, based on the catalogue of glam rockers, Queen.
Despite my success on stage, I began to think that I would never achieve my true dream of fronting a band. So, I decided to take one more shot at a solo career. I rekindled my love of both writing and recording on a four-song EP that even featured Queen guitarist Brian May on one of the tracks.
It was at this time that I heard about Rockstar: INXS, a pilot centered on the Australian band's search for a new lead singer. As I was a lifelong fan of the band (which provided the soundtrack to my first kiss), I decided to make the trek from London to Los Angeles. After an exhausting round of auditions, I made the final cut and was ultimately chosen as a finalist on the show. I was the only one that made Rockstar from the UK, and the only Aussie to make the final 15.
I came into Rockstar: INXS with all guns blazing, full of bravado and confidence, and left in third place but with a Universal recording contract. My experience on Rockstar INXS was a dream come true. In fact, I often say that it was the greatest thing I will never do again.
My self-titled debut CD has finally been released in the US and Canada through Decca/Universal. It’s composed of soulful interpretations of classic rock and roll staples, including some of my favorite songs: The Police's "Wrapped Around Your Finger," The Rolling Stones' "Angie," David Bowie's "Life On Mars," and "Baby I Love Your Way," which features a guest performance by Peter Frampton himself. I have also included three original songs I wrote called "She Loved", "Could It Be" and "You And I".
Another dream came true when I got to work with two of the most incredible producers, Matthew Wilder (No Doubt, Christina Aguilera) and Rob Mathes, with string arrangements by the renowned Paul Buckmaster (Elton John, Train). I recorded the album near my new home in Los Angeles, with additional sessions done in London and New York. I still can’t believe how beautifully it turned out. It has some of the world’s greatest songs coupled with amazing arrangements and a superb sound, and was even able to include original songs to stand side by side with these classics. In fact, "She Loved" and "Could It Be" have been the most celebrated tracks on the CD.
I am so excited about working on my upcoming CD. I have been writing songs for this album for a long time now and cannot wait to deliver these babies to the world. This creative process is why I can be in no other business. I love it. It is not only what I do, but what I am.
So, my piano teacher was actually right on two counts; I never did become a virtuoso, but the dedication she taught me did lead to success. Going out on my own as a recording artist has surpassed my wildest dreams. I finally feel like I belong, like this is what I'm meant to do in this life.
The best part? This is only the beginning… "
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2008 CHANNEL V (Self)
2008 MTV Asia (Self)
2007 REALITY REMIX (Guest)
2006 THE BIG NIGHT IN (Guest)
2006 CAROLS IN THE DOMAIN ’06 (Solo Artist)
2006 PINOY DREAM ACADEMY (Special Guest/Performed)
2006 MTV PHILIPPINES MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS (Presenter/Guest)
2006 ROCKSTAR:SUPERNOVA (Guest)
2006 THE GREG BEHRENDT SHOW (Guest)
2006 KABABAYAN LA (Guest)
2005 MTV PHILIPPINES (Guest VJ)
2005 FOXTEL 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA (Solo Artist)
2005 ROCKSTAR:INXS (Finalist)
2001 CAROLS IN THE DOMAIN 2001 (Solo Artist)
2000 QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (NY vampire)
2000 SUBTERANO (The Puppeteer & Guerilla)
1998 CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT (Singer)
1998 IT’S ABOUT TIME (Presenter)
1997 CAROLS IN THE DOMAIN ‘97 (Solo Artist)
1997 IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT (Singer)
1995-96 PIZZA HUT (Manager)
1993-95 THE FERALS (Joe King)
1991-98 THE MIDDAY SHOW (Singer)
1996 MONDAY TO FRIDAY (Singer)
1993 A PRAYER FOR JANE (Jane’s Boyfriend)
1991 ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE (Singer)
1991 HITS AND MEMORIES (Team Member)
1990 MISSION TOP SECRET (Pedro)
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2008 JOYFUL NOISE: HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS (Soloist/Tenor) Boston, USA
2007-08 QUEEN ROCK AND SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR (Soloist) UK Tour
2007-08 WE WILL ROCK YOU (Galileo) Asian/NZ Tour
2007 THRILLER LIVE! (Lead Singer) UK Tour
2003-05 WILL ROCK YOU (Galileo) London
2003 WE WILL ROCK YOU (Galileo/Pop/Ensemble) London
2002-03 RENT (Angel) London
2002 FAME (Joe Vegas) Asian (KL,HK,Sing.) Tour
2001-02 GREASE...THE MEGA MUSICAL (Danny Zuko) Aust.Tour
2001 POKéMON - THE MUSICAL (Ash Catch’em) Dubai Tour
1999-00 FAME (Joe Vegas) Aust. Tour
1998-99 RENT (Angel U/S & Byron) Syd. & Melb.
1998 GREASE...THE ARENA SPECTACULAR (Sonny/Danny & Kenickie U/S) Aust/NZ
1997 THE TIME TRAVELLER (The T.T.) Concert Version, Syd.
1996 THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD-WEBBER Aust/Asia /Japan Tour
1996 ELEGIES (Lamar & Singer) Syd.
1995-96 ALADDIN (Aladdin) Syd.
1994-95 WEST SIDE STORY (U/S Tony, Mouthpiece) Melb. & Bris.
1994-95 CINDERELLA (Dandini) Syd.
1993 ASYLUM (Joey) Concert Version, Syd.
1992 GREASE (Danny Zuko) N.Z. Tour & Melb.
1991-92 BUDDY (Ritchie Valens) Aust. Tour
1991-92 BUDDY (Ritchie Valens) London
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1998 RAY-BAN (100%)
1997 JEANSWEST (100%)
1993 ELECTORAL COMMISSION (Lead:Voter)
1991 BRITISH AIRWAYS (Son)
1990 SAMBOY CHIPS (Featured Talent)
1989 RTA (Lead “Speeding Driver”)
PLUS MANY VOICE OVER ADS FOR RADIO & TELEVISION
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2004-05 MiGNITION (Singer, keyboards)
1996-98 'MiG' (Singer, keyboards)
1993 RIVA (Singer, keyboards)
1990-91 LOVETOWN (Singer, keyboards)
1990 RANDY BADASS & THE SLICKMASTER FIVE (Singer)
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