For Immediate Release: September 1, 2016 (Toronto, ON) Hidden Stash is a new 6-piece roots rock band led by emerging songwriter Michael Gray offering up rock, pop, blues, soul, C&W and folk with a retro twist. Their debut album Mixed Cassette Tape is a 70’s inspired rock album that takes listeners back in time when people used to listen to albums from start to finish.

Mixed Cassette Tape is expertly co-produced and arranged by Derek Downham (The Beauties), and features Divine Brown, Damhnait Doyle, Shelley Coopersmith, Denis Keldie, Jim Bish, Russ Boswell and a sizzling duet with rising roots n’ roll singer Samantha Martin.

Being the son of Jerry Gray, the celebrated folk musician who was a founding member of The Travellers and the brother of James Gray who served more than 13 years’ in Blue Rodeo, Gray grew up surrounded by music.  The band name Hidden Stash comes from the idea that he has kept this hidden stash of songs that he wrote for years and is now ready to reveal them to the world.

A stand out track “Chasing Sunsets” features Juno award winning vocalist Divine Brown with a personal story about finding yourself and chasing your dreams.  “Wasted” is about an executive who’s on the road chasing his next fix.  “I had written it with a Little Feat kind of vibe,” says Gray, “then Derek created this really great acoustic slide riff at the top, and turned it into a funky New Orleans tune.” “Are You With Me?” has special meaning to Gray as it was his wedding song that he had written for his wife.  The talented Samantha Martin joins him for a powerful duet.

“Wasted” video: http://bit.ly/hswasted  

The song of most importance to Gray is “Sweet Brother James” the ballad he had written a day or two after his brother had passed away in 2013.  “Usually, the lyrics process takes me a long time, but the song flowed out of me in less than an hour,” he says, “it was the best way I could show my appreciation for my brother.”

http://bit.ly/hiddenstash 

The official Hidden Stash CD release party will take place September 19th in Toronto along with the annual James Gray Tribute Concert to benefit SHINE!.  Performers include a reunited local legends Vital Sines, featuring Glenn Milchem from Blue Rodeo, Heather Morgan, Brainfudge, Chris Staig, Jerry Gray of The Travellers, Nichol Robertson, Southern Sky, Hidden Stash and more.

Event Details: Doors Open: 6:30PM, Hidden Stash 7:30PM, Benefit Concert 9PM
At Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas West, Toronto, Ontario M6K1T9
Admission: $15 http://bit.ly/luluevent 

All ticket proceeds go to SHINE! For more information about SHINE and what they do, please visit http://shineconcert.ca/ and http://shineconcert.ca/james-gray/