About this Event
Superkid is a photographic journal that illustrates the thrill, confusion, and disenchantment of growing up and becoming an artist along the way. Through over 50 photos—snapshots from his personal archive—and accompanying retrospective stories, Mike Viola creates an intimate, dreamlike atmosphere of wonder and possibility. Thrust into the spotlight at 14 years old and dubbed a rock music “prodigy” on the Boston rock scene in the 1980s, a time when that sound dominated the airwaves, Viola narrates how his seemingly straightforward path to stardom bent in unexpected directions. The stream-of-consciousness writing is filled with stories of unbelievable encounters with rock legends, loss of childhood innocence, the dedication of family, and coming-of-age delirium. Superkid is a relatable and moving reflection on a life unlived, told through the memories of the one that was.
The book was handsomely designed by Robin Brunelle
ABOUT MIKE:
Mike Viola is a Grammy Nominated songwriter, producer, and recording artist whose career balances cult credibility with mainstream recognition. Born in Boston, sharpened in New York, and now based in Los Angeles, Viola has developed a long and unpredictable solo career releasing close to a dozen albums, most recently 2026’s Chum. He has a sound that draws from influences such as the Beatles, Paul Simon, Big Star, and Black Sabbath, but always with a distinct personal sound he captures in his home studio Barebones. Critics have praised his work for its vitality and authenticity, with Rolling Stone calling him “one of the unsung heroes of modern songwriting.
Along the way, his songwriting and production collaborations have included Panic! At The Disco, Dawes, Vulfpeck, Mandy Moore, Andrew Bird, Jenny Lewis, Matt Nathansan and Madison Cunningham, while he has created music for major films, such as That Thing You Do!, Walk Hard, and Get Him To The Greek”
Viola’s story continues with the release of both his book Superkid (2026), his new full length LP Chum (2026), a Europe and UK solo acoustic tour in November 2026, and a February and March 2027 full band tour of the US.
Event venue & nearby stays
1634 W Temple St, 1634 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.