Mike Viola is a songwriter, producer, and recording artist whose career balances cult credibility with mainstream recognition. Born in Massachusetts, sharpened in New York, and now based in Los Angeles, Viola first emerged with Candy Butchers on Universal and Sony before developing a long and unpredictable solo career, releasing close to a dozen albums, most recently 2024’s Rock of Boston. He has a sound that draws from influences such as the Beatles, Big Star, Replacements, Elvis Costello, Ozzy and Black Sabbath, but always with a distinct personal stamp. Viola is known for emotional songwriting where the verses can be as captivating as the choruses. Critics have praised his work for its vitality and authenticity, with Rolling Stone calling him “one of the unsung heroes of modern songwriting.”
Along the way, his songwriting and production collaborations have included Panic! at the Disco, Dawes, Vulfpeck, Mandy Moore, Andrew Bird, Jenny Lewis, Matt Nathanson, and Madison Cunningham. He has also created music for major films, such as That Thing You Do!, Walk Hard, and Get Him to the Greek. Viola is back on the road February and March 2026 full band U.S. tour, and a new studio album in 2026.
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