Bio

It all started in 1969, when 11 year old Mike Kitka found his mother's classical guitar in a closet, along with a Joan Baez songbook. She received it as a Christmas gift and would never learn to play it. He took it out of that closet, learned to play and quickly began improvising and writing songs. A year later, the band Electric Peace had their first gig at the Kensington Hilltop School Carnival. In the late 80's Mike formed a band called No Heroes with bassist Barnaby Hazen and drummer Chris Collins. After about a year of rehearsals and some gigs, the band dissolved as it's members went separate ways.

Now, many songs later, Mike still has the dream of sharing his music with people, maybe making it a livelihood, one way or another. "Really, the reason to make music is to share it with people. Storytelling is a basic function - it's a lost art. Songwriters carry on the tradition of that lost art. "

Musically, Mike's been doing his own thing for over 30 years. " I never learned to read music, so I play by ear and memory." He did study with the late Judy Davis, who left an idelible impression on him and his voice.

Mike's musical journey is ongoing. "I continue to grow as a songwriter and guitarist…the tunes come a little easier than lyrics."

He, hIs Wife and twin daughters live in Berkeley, California. Working as Renal Clinician and Preceptor, he is back at work after recovering from shoulder surgery. He enjoys being a dad, writing new tunes, bartering on craigslist, and spending alot of time with the family's Rhodesian Ridgeback, Cleo. He also volunteers at Willard Middle School.