A recent nominee or BEST OF C-VILLE 2022 in the “Music Artist” category, local singer-songwriter Michael Clem has managed to continue his life as a full-time musician for several decades. For 31 years, Clem has been playing bass, singing and writing songs for the national touring act he co-founded, Eddie from Ohio. Over that time, EFO has amassed a sizable grassroots following, released nine CDs (all independently) & collected numerous Washington Area Music Association Awards. Since 2008, with the band slowing down, Clem has relocated from Northern Virginia to Charlottesville where he’s established quite a foothold in its musical scene, with a variety of solo, duo, trio & ensemble configurations.
Ten years after Clem’s first solo album, 1st & 40, came the better-late-than-never sophomore release Fifty Clementines. With thirteen previously unreleased songs, Clem brought in 30 friends from all over Virginia to contribute in the fine Charlottesville JLM Studios where he co-produced with James McLaughlin. During the pandemic shutdown, Clem teamed up with longtime musical friend Rusty Speidel to produce his most recent 5-song EP, Rivannarama.
Clem has established a firm place in the local troubadour community for the past ten years, hosting the long-running Monday night Songwriter Night at The Local in Charlottesville. Clem is also currently a resident teacher for Songwriting at The Front Porch.
“A songwriter, a guitarist and observational comedian… Think Blink-182 with words by Todd Snider and you get an idea of what Clem does within the confines of folk-rock.”
–The Washington Post
“A multi-dimensional performer, Michael Clem’s songs touch universal human conditions that expose our doubts without ever being preachy. His dry and sly wit and clever arrangements soothe the soul but include a social commentary bite that encourages us not to take our lives too seriously.”
-Aer Stephen (“Folk & Beyond” 91.1 FM WTJU in Charlottesville, VA)