Mike Sopko (Guitarist, Composer, Songwriter) was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1979. As a teen he played in various local bands while studying with local Cleveland Jazz/Fusion guitarist, Steve Gordon. After moving to Oakland, California in 2003, Sopko spearheaded numerous projects, including MCR (w/ G. Calvin Weston), Cascading Liquid Rainbows (w/ Dosh, Chris Lopes), The Golden Measure (w/ Simon Lott), and Glimpse Trio/Duo (w/ Hamir Atwal, Chris Lopes). After meeting Hamir Atwal (Tune-Yards) in 2009, the duo toured extensively, releasing four albums, the first of which was awarded Editor’s Pick by Frank Alkyer of Downbeat Magazine in 2011.
Over the years, Sopko has recorded and performed with artist’s such as Bill Laswell, Thomas Pridgen (Mars Volta), Dave King (Bad Plus), Dosh, Tyshawn Sorey, Hideo Yamaki, Dj Logic, Raoul Bjorkenheim, Chris Pitsiokos, Hamir Atwal, Los Lobos and many more. In 2015, Sopko released Sopko/Laswell/Pridgen, a trio collaboration with legendary producer/bassist, Bill Laswell and drummer phenom, Thomas Pridgen. Sopko’s upcoming release’s for 2019 and 2020 include, “On Common Ground,” a trio recording with Bill Laswell & Tyshawn Sorery, “Rituals” Mike Sopko & Thomas Pridgen, and “$pellcheck” with Dave King & Martin Dosh.