Michael Sanford Day

With a career spanning more than two decades, Michael Sanford Day has become a defining voice in the New England music scene. As a founding member of award-winning bands Among The Acres and Little Ugly, he has captivated audiences across the country with emotionally resonant songwriting and commanding live performances. Blending powerful vocals with rich guitar and banjo textures, his sound moves fluidly through americana, chamber folk, indie, alt-country, and roots rock.

Stepping forward under his own name marks a bold and deeply personal new chapter. His newest material showcases his most honest and unguarded work to date—songs shaped by hard-won experience, reflection, and resilience. Whether performing solo or backed by some of New England’s finest musicians as Michael Sanford Day & The Hard Feelings, he delivers performances that are both intimate and electrifying.

Michael also performs regularly as a member of Riley Cotton & The Tin Men, where he is a founding member and co-producer of Riley Cotton’s latest album, Falling of the Fervor. Cotton is also a member of The Hard Feelings, and the two frequently perform together as a duo or in collaborative sets that blend both bands.

With a debut album slated for release in 2026, Michael Sanford Day & The Hard Feelings is poised to bring this powerful new music to stages across the region and beyond.

Michael is also the host of the Expressions Songwriters Series, a monthly original songwriters round at New Park Brewing in West Hartford, CT. Now in its fourth year, he has curated the series since its inception, helping it grow into a space where artists and audiences gather to share a love of original music.

In addition to performing, Michael is a dedicated guitar educator, offering private lessons to students of all levels.

Awards & Recognition:

New England Music Award – Best in State (CT)

Hartford Magazine – Best Musician/Band

CT Music Awards – Best Indie Rock Band

Hartford Advocate – Best Rock Band

Hartford Advocate – Best Americana Band

Notable Venues:

Capitol Groove Festival, Podunk Bluegrass Festival, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Black Bear Americana Music Festival, Will Evan's Strawberry Moon Festival, New England Music Awards at Gilette Stadium, Dunkin Donuts Park (Yardgoats Stadium), The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, Infinity Hall (Hartford & Norfolk), The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Wolf Den (Mohegan Sun Casino), Toad's Place, The Webster, Park City Music Hall, The Bowery Electric, Mercury Lounge, Rockwood Music Hall, and many more. 

Shared Stages With:

Calexico, The SteelDrivers, Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Aaron Neville, Aly & AJ, Jeffrey Gaines, Shawn Colvin, Will Evans, Adam Ezra Group, Pete Francis of Dispatch, Uprooted (featuring members of Rusted Root), Sponge, and many more.