December 7, 2006

Almaden’s renaissance man

Folksinger Michael Hilde writes songs inspired by growing up in Almaden

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Growing up in Almaden Valley from the age 7, Michael Hilde enjoyed horse farms, hanging at the Quicksilver Café and hiking at Quicksilver Park. These experiences and more are shared in thought-provoking lyrics sung on his debut CD titled, appropriately enough, “Almaden.”

Michael Hilde finds inspiration at Almaden Quicksilver Park. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Listening to the folksinger’s music reminds the listener of another thought-provoking poet/singer: Bob Dylan. He even calls himself “Almaden” as a tribute to the area that he loves. And at only 25, the young man has found his calling performing at local clubs.

“God made cats and dogs to be cats and dogs,” said an introspective Hilde. “He made flowers to be flowers. He made me to sing songs and write words. Who am I to turn it around and say I’m going to be flower. I’m a human being who does what he does.”

Hilde’s journey to songwriter and folksinger started innocently enough. He remembers “the orchards, the stallion farm, a dangerous Feed and Fuel, a bright Quicksilver Café and coyotes singing to the new fall moon.” The sights and sounds penetrated the young boy’s consciousness and resonate in his music today.

He attended Graystone Elementary, Bret Harte Middle and Bellarmine Preparatory schools.

“Michael was always very creative,” said Sima Hilde, Michael’s mother. “When he was younger he acted, wrote, painted and now is a musician. I hope and pray he will make it. You have to support your children and allow them to follow their dreams. Michael puts his heart into whatever he does.”

Arnold Hilde echoes his wife’s thoughts, but with a father’s concern.

“It’s a tough business,” said Arnold Hilde. “We’re both supportive. Michael’s a great communicator, always into mental gymnastics. He’s quite an unusual person because of his multiple talents—and he’s a fierce competitor.”
Eric Palgon first met Hilde at Bret Harte Middle School.

“Michael was always creative and talented,” said Palgon. “In school he acted. He even did a Sega commercial where they shaved his head with their logo. We’ve kept in contact through the years at UCLA, in San Francisco but he always comes back to Almaden. In school he sang and played his guitar and wrote music. He is so charismatic and funny—he was probably the most popular guy at school.”

The world is a stage
Hilde excelled at Bellarmine Preparatory School academically. English Department and Theater Arts Director Tom Alessandri is still in contact with him and remembers his performances well.

Almaden’s Michael Hilde performs at a local venue. Photo by Thor Matuschka

“Michael was a student in several of my upper division English electives—a superb, mature and insightful writer, analyst and speaker,” said Alessandri. “I directed him in several shows including “Nicholas Nickleby” and “Moon over Buffalo,” where he played with utter believability the grandmother character—not done as male in drag but as an actor who happened to be male playing a character who happened to be a woman. His performance was deft, comic and rich.”

Alessandri was equally impressed with Hilde as the lead character in “The Elephant Man.”

“Michael’s John Merrick was truly amazing—done entirely with body mechanics to display the massive deformities. He received standing ovations every performance. It was heartbreaking. Mike is sui generis [its own kind/genius]: an absolutely unique and uniquely talented performer” added Alessandri.

Searching
But Hilde’s exploration into career possibilities was just beginning. He attended University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] and New York University. He received his degree from NYU in English.

Along life’s highway, Hilde has written an off-Broadway play, “Strangers,” based on the Beach Boys song “Sloop John B,” as well as endless journals of poetry and published short stories. He wrote two novels—one about young adults across America questioning existence; the other an experimental book with no paragraphs. He has worked in several capacities, including trivia writing in Manhattan, directing small movies, working as a bookbinder at UCLA, a web developer, a bartender and a security guard in Big Sur. And he reads voraciously. In between journeys, he always comes home to Almaden, drawing inspiration for future creative endeavors.

The renaissance man attributes his musical and literary influences to an eclectic mix of artists: Woody Guthrie, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Devendra Banhart, William Blake, Shakespeare, and Allen Ginsberg.

Hilde is passionate about camping, star gazing, rain tasting, fog measuring, taking vitamins, talking to animals (he’s an artist!) and spending time “down by the river.”

Hilde was in New York on 9/11. He remembers walking many miles from his apartment where he witnessed the tragedy and mused about the irony of people standing in a long line at Starbucks during the devastating aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center.

The music
When asked when he decided to become a musician, he points to a trip to the central coast. “It all came together in Big Sur living in a tent cabin in the redwoods,” said Hilde, regarding his musical career. “I played with psychedelic musicians who toured there and I wrote songs. Before I was on the river system, now I’m on the Mississippi and I know this river is going to the ocean.”

Hilde often speaks in metaphors, beautiful phrases representing his feelings about life. He writes passionately about the changes he’s witnessed in Almaden in his music:

“These Quicksilver Hills are wearin’ to my brain like a mercury craze:
They’re building condos on the Feed n Fuel,
Protest down at city council.

Dream dreams late at night
About comin’ up from behind,
Kissing her black hair.

I’m thinkin’ soon a’ maybe leavin’ my home
“Cause it’s not a home but a real estate boom.

Remember when they ripped up the stallion farm? To build the homes where my friends grew up?

I learned all their names in middle school,
Lawyers for fathers and psychos for mothers.

Who needs friends instead of stallions?”

—From “The Ballad of Young Johnny Easyheart”

Lyrics from “Everything’s Gold” demonstrate Hilde’s softer side.

“I love you.
Do you love me?

First speak the truth
And then we’ll see.

I saw you
In the meadow.
Glowing songs
Spun from wheat.

Everything, everything,
everything’s’ gold.”

“Michael writes about the environment, his surroundings, the things he’s seen and fallen in love with and makes them magical” said friend Thor Matuschka. “He really is a great lyricist. And he’s one of those people who immediately becomes a best friend.”

Besides a singer and songwriter of over 50 songs, Hilde plays the guitar, harmonica, auto harp, cello and other musical instruments to fit his mood. He has appeared at a variety of venues including Barefoot Coffee Roasters, Sofa Lounge, San Francisco’s Mama Art Café and the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. He has two appearances scheduled this month: Dec. 14, 8 . p.m. at Good Karma, 37 S. First St., San Jose and Dec. 29, 8 p.m. at Barefoot Coffee Roasters, 5237 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara.

To hear the music of Michael Hilde AKA “Almaden” visit www.myspace.com/almadenfolk.