Earlier this year, Mike Park went on his Living Room Tour across the country. Fans across the country who were willing to get a crowd together and provide some food got a private performance in their home, like here in Lincoln, Neb.
CREDIT: Photo Courtesy of Mike Park
A recent knee injury from playing basketball isn’t going to stop Mike Park from biking down the Pacific Coast Highway in September. Not when “Bicycle for Peace” is going to help raise money for the youth center the singer/songwriter has been dreaming of building for his hometown of San Jose, Calif.
“Something for kids to go and hang out, a safe haven. Mostly for kids who are into music and the arts,” says Park, the founder of both Asian Man Records and Plea for Peace. “If you go to any city like Nashville or Omaha, they have little arts centers in town, … but it just doesn’t exist in San Jose.”
So starting on Sept. 8 from Olympia, Wash., Park and some friends, with their guitars in tow, plan to pedal their way down to San Diego, Calif., stopping nightly at one of the many campgrounds along the route. And at each stop, he’s going to hold an impromptu concert. You’re invited to check it out.
“It’s a good way to raise awareness and raise funds. It’s a good way to get in shape, too,” says Park.
Physical health is an issue the 35-year-old has had on his mind lately. The former frontman for the ska-punk band Skankin’ Pickle can’t jump around and stage dive into the crowd like he used to. “I can’t do it every night. I feel like I’m going to die,” says Park. “Playing acoustic is much easier on the body.”
This month, you can see him in your state park on the Bicycle for Peace Tour.
CREDIT: Photo Courtesy of Mike Park
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He plans to keep exploring the more folky sounds of his 2003 solo debut album, “For the Love of Music,” which was mostly just him and an acoustic guitar. His new record, “North Hangook Falling,” continues in that vein, although he did record much of it with a band. And as the title indicates, his latest album delves into his Korean heritage and North Korean issues.
“It was a way to educate myself of my own cultural background,” says Park, on his latest songwriting efforts.
You’re bound to hear some of these songs when Park plays, say, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on Sept. 25.
Go to www.pleaforpeace.com to see the other planned stops for Bicycle For Peace and to make a donation.
— Jimmy Lee
