TheSocialHog

Michael John Wagner

MJ Ultra is Michael John Wagner, a prodigal son of Pittsburgh, PA and loyal to the bone. Pittsburgh remained his home until he was 19. He is from the Southside of Pittsburgh. The Steel City baby. Basically a white kid from a black neighborhood and his sound is clearly influenced by it and his favorite artists Prince, D’Angelo, Outkast and Erykah Badu. Arguably he grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, but his spirit was not damaged by it. Instead, he was inspired by it.

He graduated from the hard lifestyle of the south side by earning an acceptance into the coveted Pittsburgh high school for the creative and performing arts. From there, he continued by getting accepted into the prestigious Point Park University Theater Conservatory. Interestingly, he studied theater and participated in musical theater, but the solo artist had not yet emerged. Now he had a classical education and training and made the move.

He arrived in Los Angeles in 2004 with no contacts and no place to stay. He did the typical jobs as a waiter or bus boy…same deal as most, but it’s the decision to write and sing music.

Step 1: Buy a guitar.

Step 2: Learn how to play it.

Step 3: Write songs.

He landed acting roles in Pirates of The Caribbean, commercials and independent movies.His inspirations came from Prince’s “Purple Rain”, Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs and Englishmen”, Bowie’s “Heroes”, “Kendrick Lamar” and “Frank Ocean. Yet his first CD was Nirvana’s Bleach. Known for acoustic sessions where it is just him and his guitar, the music is an outlet for him to share his life and journey.

Los Angeles proved to be hard on him. He went back to Pittsburgh in 2012 for a year, but the call to the arts was too loud. He was back in Los Angeles in less than a year. A suffering year with no place to live for a time or a car. Making the idea of completing an album nearly impossible. Ocean Drive was a dream born on borrowed time at midnight sessions and flown in on a wing and a prayer. His time, sessions and wings found strength and a place to thrive with his music when producer, Travis Margis dedicated his time and craft to MJ to help mold and create and give live to…MJ Ultra.

MJ Ultra was born 08/08/2015 with his debut album released 06/25/2016. His entire focus was his music and his son. After enduring a public transportation, no income, drifting lifestyle…his dedication magnetized musicians and artists and producers and singers who gathered around this emerging force that finally gave birth to a new baby...the album – Ocean Drive. His songs speak clearly of his journey and his voice is clear…Listen.