Official Artist Biography
Michael Laechel is an international singer-songwriter, composer, and producer with over three decades of industry experience. Based in Prospect Heights, Illinois, his career spans multi-genre album production, commercial songwriting, and independent catalog curation.
Early Foundations & Education
Raised in Deerfield, Illinois, Michael's musical journey began with private piano training before expanding into guitar, composition, and DIY audio engineering. He formalized his training at Barat College of DePaul University, graduating in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a concentration in Music. During his collegiate years, Michael's entrepreneurial drive led him to launch his own independent record label, Addiction Records.
Discography & Commercial Success
Initially cutting his teeth in the Chicago band circuit, Michael transitioned to a solo career to focus entirely on composition and studio production. To date, he has written, recorded, and produced an extensive catalog of 30 albums toward a lifelong goal of completing 100 records. His worldwide releases include:
The Mystic Moods - Volume 1 (1996)
The Colorful Conclusion (2001)
Live Internet Shows: Discs 1 & 2 (2003-2004)
Faces (2005)
Soundtracks Vol. 01 (2025)
In 2003, Michael secured a major commercial milestone by winning the nationwide Winterfresh Gum jingle contest. This victory resulted in a featured national television commercial and a series of high-profile radio spots.
Performance & Media Sync
Between 2011 and 2013, Michael partnered with a national booking agency, was contacted by a Los Angeles record company, and returned to the road to perform alongside regional talent. Most recently, his work has focused on composing and recording instrumental tracks tailored for television, film, and media synchronization. To maintain creative control and full ownership of his master catalog, he independently declined a music label licensing deal offered in July 2025.
Radio Airplay & Digital Presence
Michael's music has earned airplay on prominent Top-40 and rock FM stations across the Midwest, including Chicago's Q101 (101.1 FM) and 102.3 FM, alongside Milwaukee's Rock 102.1 FM. In July 2022, Michael opened his extensive archives on ReverbNation, releasing a vast collection of previously unheard demos spanning 1998 to 2019. This retrospective catalog continues to drive strong digital engagement, notably securing a spot in the Top 10 chart for Chicago Alternative Artists on ReverbNation on multiple occasions.
Artistic Mission
As a fiercely independent artist, Michael remains grounded by his faith and a clear creative purpose.
"I am not here to make a ton of money and become any kind of an idol in the music industry. I just want to write and perform great music that everyone at any age can enjoy for years to come. If I can just get by and make a living doing what I have been called to do, I will die a happy man."