Biography
Mirror Tree draws from pop, psychedelia, global textures, and dance rhythms to shape an ambitious yet approachable endeavor led by Michael Gold, who handles songwriting, vocals, and multiple instruments. On first encounter the project comes across as lighthearted and inviting, while repeated plays uncover a layered fusion of stylistic sources and structural choices. Gold initially built visibility through collaborations before stepping away from music to pursue flight training; years later he resumed creative work, unveiling his artistic outlook via Mirror Tree’s self-titled debut album in 2023.
Raised in Los Angeles within a musical family, Gold is the son of Sharon Robinson, the Grammy-winning vocalist and songwriter recognized for her longstanding partnership with Leonard Cohen that included extensive touring and co-authorship of “Everybody Knows” and “A Thousand Kisses Deep.” Cohen also served as Gold’s godfather and a regular visitor during his childhood. Early piano study encompassed jazz and classical methods, followed by jazz-keyboard training at the California Institute for the Arts in Santa Clarita. During the 2010s Gold joined the touring lineup of the indie electronic group Poolside and shared writing credit on their track “Feel Alright.” Despite these inroads, an enduring interest in the outdoors—shared with his father—prompted him to obtain a pilot’s license and relocate to Alaska, where he piloted a small aircraft for a regional carrier serving isolated settlements across the state. He later advanced to the cockpit of a Boeing 737 with a major carrier, yet the urge to create persisted; after moving back to Los Angeles he reestablished contact with Filip Nikolic, a former Poolside colleague. With songs already composed and Nikolic producing, the pair tracked the material at Nikolic’s home studio, employing vintage keyboards and integrating elements of psychedelia, vintage soft rock, ’70s pop, Tropicalia, and film scoring while additional musicians contributed. Gold christened the project Mirror Tree, secured a release through Innovative Leisure, and issued the debut album in September 2023.
Raised in Los Angeles within a musical family, Gold is the son of Sharon Robinson, the Grammy-winning vocalist and songwriter recognized for her longstanding partnership with Leonard Cohen that included extensive touring and co-authorship of “Everybody Knows” and “A Thousand Kisses Deep.” Cohen also served as Gold’s godfather and a regular visitor during his childhood. Early piano study encompassed jazz and classical methods, followed by jazz-keyboard training at the California Institute for the Arts in Santa Clarita. During the 2010s Gold joined the touring lineup of the indie electronic group Poolside and shared writing credit on their track “Feel Alright.” Despite these inroads, an enduring interest in the outdoors—shared with his father—prompted him to obtain a pilot’s license and relocate to Alaska, where he piloted a small aircraft for a regional carrier serving isolated settlements across the state. He later advanced to the cockpit of a Boeing 737 with a major carrier, yet the urge to create persisted; after moving back to Los Angeles he reestablished contact with Filip Nikolic, a former Poolside colleague. With songs already composed and Nikolic producing, the pair tracked the material at Nikolic’s home studio, employing vintage keyboards and integrating elements of psychedelia, vintage soft rock, ’70s pop, Tropicalia, and film scoring while additional musicians contributed. Gold christened the project Mirror Tree, secured a release through Innovative Leisure, and issued the debut album in September 2023.
Albums
Singles
