Mikey Wax, (also known as Middle Child) is an American pianist, guitarist and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his singles “Counting on You” and "You Lift Me Up".[1][2]
Early life and education
Mikey Wax grew up on Long Island, New York, and started playing piano at the age of 8.[3][4] Upon graduating from high school, Wax attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.[5][4]
In 2011, Wax released his second independent album, Constant Motion.[9] The album was ranked at #47 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart[10] and #6 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart in the US.[11] The album’s single "Counting on You" was used as the elimination montage song for season nine of the US version of So You Think You Can Dance.[12][13][1]
In 2012, Wax was recognized by New Music Seminar as an "Artist on the Verge."[14][15] In the same year, he was also featured by iHeartRadio as an "Artist To Watch".[15]
In 2012, Wax also released the Christmas song "And A Happy New Year."[16] The song was featured on the television series Switched at Birth.[17][18][19]
In 2014, Wax's single "You Lift Me Up" debuted on the iTunes US Top 200 Pop Chart.[1] and was also featured on iTunes’ "Ahead of the Curve" list.[20] The New York-based EDM duo Live City also produced a dance remix of the song, which premiered on BPM station.[21] "You Lift Me Up" has been used on episodes of MTV's The Real World[22] and The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II.[1] "You Lift Me Up" was also used in a commercial for Keeping Up With The Kardashians on E! Entertainment,[23][22] and in FOX Sports’ coverage of NBA games.[24][1] "You Lift Me Up" was co-written by Wax and his brother Jonathan Wax.[25]
In September 2014, Wax was chosen as a featured artist by the karaoke and music app Smule.[26][27] In October, he was named Artist of the Month by American Airlines.[20] Wax's song "Drive On" was written and recorded for the film The Road Within.[28][29]
Wax premiered his new single "Love Always Wins (#LoveWins)", inspired by marriage equality.[30] In the same month, it was announced that the song would be featured in promos for E! Entertainment's docuseries about Caitlyn Jenner, titled I Am Cait.[31][32][33] On September 11, 2015, Wax was the featured artist performing on the AOL’s Build Series. Wax's song "Walking On Air" was featured on MTV's Finding Carter in November 2015.[34] In 2015, Wax's songs “Perfect Holiday” and “Catch the Midnight Flight” were featured in the film A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale.[35]
In June, 2017, Wax released the single "Never Letting You Go.”[40] In October, 2017, Wax released the single “Spaceman,” which was produced by Stash Konig.[41] The song was featured in a Nike, Inc Swim ad.[42][43]
On June 15, 2018, Wax released the single 'Big Little Life'.[44] In an interview with All Access, Wax revealed that the song would be featured on the season finale of the television series Born This Way.[45] On June 21, 2019, Wax released his single "Do You Believe Me."[46] The song was featured in season 8 of Teen Mom.[47] In August, 2019 pop singer Midlo released the single "Emotional," which was co-written by Wax.[48]
Wax's song "My Heart Knows Where To Go" was featured in the show Heartland in September 2019, and in one of the show's promos.[49] In February 2021, Wax's single "Helium" was featured in a commercial for hospitality sales for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[50]
On May 13, 2021, Wax released the single 'Burn Out' under the new stage-name Middle Child, alongside producer Jacob Lee.[51][52][53]
