Michael Travis biography and age

June 2024 · 2 minute read

Michael Travis Leake is an American musician, living in Russia. He has been detained on charges of “running a drug-dealing business involving young people,” according to Russian courts. 

Michael Travis Leake biography

According to an Instagram account under his name, Michael Travis Leake, who goes by his middle name, is a music producer and the vocalist for the Russian band Lovi Noch, whose name means “Seize the Night.” Leake was charged with selling the stimulant mephedrone, which is related to cocaine.

Russian state media indicates that he will be detained for two months prior to his trial. Leake, a former American military paratrooper, has resided in Russia since 2010. In 2014, he made an appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” television program.

“[The] band wasn’t that famous but Travis and his friends had been very vocal about freedom of speech and state oppression in Russia,” the episode’s producer Darya Tarasova told CNN. 

“Travis was a showman – very articulate and he loved Russia,” Tarasova said. “Bands from the Moscow rock scene would go to him to write songs in English for them and proofread their lyrics.” 

Tarasova told CNN that she did not believe that Leake had committed the crimes he has been accused of. 

“He is an American in Russia and is very aware of the situation he’s in,” she said. 

When Leake was arrested, he allegedly told police, “I don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t admit guilt, I don’t believe I could have done what I’m accused of because I don’t know what I’m accused of,” according to Russian television network Ren TV. 

Michael Travis Leake age

Michael Travis Leake is 51 years old. Leake was the lead singer of the band Lovi Nochi, also known as Seize the Night, according to social media posts and his acquaintances.

He made attempts to reassure family members who were concerned about him staying in Russia after Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine in Facebook posts before his detention.

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