The ATAA (or Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, for long) has put together it's first ever artist showcase, and will be showing off (get it?) this upcoming Thursday, Oct 20. The coolest part about this showcase? It's free!
The night will feature amazing local artists Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, 100 mile house, Scenic Route to Alaska, and Fast Moving Mountains. Those of you who follow this blog religiously (I hope you exist, otherwise this might be embarrassing), will know that 2/4 of those groups are counted in my favourites bands. (MBF, and SRtA). I've also been trying to find a way to see 100 mile house band after hearing only great things about them, and Fast Moving Mountains should be the cherry on the free show supporting a great organization.
Follow this link to join their Facebook group; the first 50 people to join, and send them a tweet @albertashowcase explaining why they should get chosen to go will get in the doors! After 50...well...I think that you might just get left out in the windy and damp outdoors.
Showing posts with label Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Bernard Fitzgerald. Show all posts
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Things We Do
Opened with artist Mat Savard, who reminded me of a one-man Dirty Heads-esque band. One of the things that made me remember him the most was his forward personality and the facial expressions he made while he sang.
Just before the Collective West made their ..."official" appearance (Erin Faught, lead female vocalist, was working the door, stamping away and taking tix, while the rest of the band was hanging around, mingling, and cheering on the opening acts), the band was able to have another good friend of theirs, Jeff Morris, play a set. Collective West has previously opened for the sweet, slow and intelligent singer-songwriter. The folk singer has crafted his songs and voice to what seems like a "T". I really don't like reading about comparisons of artists, since each artist is unique, by leaps and bounds. However, I'm about to shame myself by comparing Morris' songs to the slower songs by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (who, if you've read previous blogs, you'll know as one of my true loves). It's not really because their voices sound similar, but more so because they're both fellas (obviously) who know how to make hearts swell with emotion*, and no doubt put the effort into each of their verses, choruses and bridges.
*Even though Morris is more of a heart-achey feeling, and MBF is more of a falling-in-love feeling.
And without much wait up came The Collective West. Now you know how I've been talking (and talking, and talking...) about these people for quite. To be honest, I was more worreid about hearing their new album (since this was their debut album release show). I had only ever heard the band on live recordings on Youtube. But, to jump ahead a bit, once I listened to the first song on the album I knew that I'd definitely struck gold in the West. It was really refreshing to hear a band that needed no extras or fillers in their musics or with honing their "sound".
It was a totally different kind of show than I've ever been to before. Really, it felt more like sitting in on a live impromptu band practice. The crowd seemed like they were mostly friends/family of band members, and every one felt completely comfortable, which made the music sound that much sweeter for some reason; it was a very laid back show, with heaps of banter between the audience and band. It's easy to see that the members are all friends behind-the-scenes too. They connect so well with each other DURING songs, and often commicate with eye contact and glances during their set.
To me, one of the best things about the Collective West is that they don't use completely "traditional instruments" i.e one set of drums, one/two electric guitars, or one acoustic and one bass. Erin Faught, female vocalist, switches between an acoustic guitar, and the nicest looking banjo I've ever seen. Lead male vocalist, Alex Klassen (formerly known as Alexander Chemist) plays electric guitar and tends to tape a tambourine to his foot (yeah, you definitely read that right). And according to the bands Facebook page, the remaining (yet I really don't like to use that word since they contribute so so much to the sound of the band) two members play just as hard on their "Bass/Eggshaker/Fisher Price Xylophone...", which is played by mustachioed Alex Charleton, and the "Guitar/Cajón/Glockenspiel/Dulcimer/.../Kazoo/Bells/Vocals..." played by the EXTREMELY talented and fully-demin-outfitted, Dave Sustrik.
The set included most, if not all (I did lose count due to lost-in-awe brain) songs from their new album, "Things We Do". Not only did they play orginals but they also included three great covers: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5, Gold Digga - Kanye West, and Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins. That last one was voted into place on their Facebook page! It was great to see a band who can do a cover, but do it well. Performing a cover is not only about making the original proud, but also bringing something of your own to the music! And brought it, they sure did. Erin Faught's vocals on Gold Digga (during the Jamie Foxx part), was actually one of the best acapella vocals I've ever heard.
To sum up a great musical night, the band in no possible way dissapointed, and somehow even made themselves better with their excellent, intimate live show!
Interested in some extra reading, boys and girls? Look no further than my views on the ARTery. It's located on Jasper Ave, just east of the Shaw Conference Centre. If it's ever your first time going there, please, do yourself a favour and memorize the GoogleMap of it first. Trust me, I know this city, and I knew the address, yet it still took me at least 15 minutes of driving around the area to find the "hole-in-the-wall" venue. It actually was reaching the point of frustration when it was spotted. However, another problem soon arose: how do we get in the building? The front door was locked, with a cage/grate over the door. No signs were posted anywhere and, wince the ARTery is part of a bigger building, we went next door to a convienitet stoore to invetigate. That wasn't any help since the store clerk had no clue what I was trying to ask. We decided to go on a short adventure (in one of the sketchier areas of the city), and found out way in finally through a door in the back alley. Once getting inside my frustrating and near anger was cured. The ARTery is such a great location for any band or concert-goer wanting an intimate show. It doesn't fit many people, I'd say 100 or less? However it was perfect for the local artists and folk music that we had gone to see. The stage isn't very big, just enough to fit four members of the Collective West, but also extends on the left hand side if it's needed (this time that part was just used as extra seating). There's also quite a few tables, a set of stairs and a couch where the audience can sit (even though a lot of them ended up sitting on the floor close to the stage...like I said, it was like being with a bunch of friends!). I hope that more bands plan on having shows so that many more people are able to discover the magic of the ARTery like I was!
Just before the Collective West made their ..."official" appearance (Erin Faught, lead female vocalist, was working the door, stamping away and taking tix, while the rest of the band was hanging around, mingling, and cheering on the opening acts), the band was able to have another good friend of theirs, Jeff Morris, play a set. Collective West has previously opened for the sweet, slow and intelligent singer-songwriter. The folk singer has crafted his songs and voice to what seems like a "T". I really don't like reading about comparisons of artists, since each artist is unique, by leaps and bounds. However, I'm about to shame myself by comparing Morris' songs to the slower songs by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (who, if you've read previous blogs, you'll know as one of my true loves). It's not really because their voices sound similar, but more so because they're both fellas (obviously) who know how to make hearts swell with emotion*, and no doubt put the effort into each of their verses, choruses and bridges.
*Even though Morris is more of a heart-achey feeling, and MBF is more of a falling-in-love feeling.
And without much wait up came The Collective West. Now you know how I've been talking (and talking, and talking...) about these people for quite. To be honest, I was more worreid about hearing their new album (since this was their debut album release show). I had only ever heard the band on live recordings on Youtube. But, to jump ahead a bit, once I listened to the first song on the album I knew that I'd definitely struck gold in the West. It was really refreshing to hear a band that needed no extras or fillers in their musics or with honing their "sound".
It was a totally different kind of show than I've ever been to before. Really, it felt more like sitting in on a live impromptu band practice. The crowd seemed like they were mostly friends/family of band members, and every one felt completely comfortable, which made the music sound that much sweeter for some reason; it was a very laid back show, with heaps of banter between the audience and band. It's easy to see that the members are all friends behind-the-scenes too. They connect so well with each other DURING songs, and often commicate with eye contact and glances during their set.
To me, one of the best things about the Collective West is that they don't use completely "traditional instruments" i.e one set of drums, one/two electric guitars, or one acoustic and one bass. Erin Faught, female vocalist, switches between an acoustic guitar, and the nicest looking banjo I've ever seen. Lead male vocalist, Alex Klassen (formerly known as Alexander Chemist) plays electric guitar and tends to tape a tambourine to his foot (yeah, you definitely read that right). And according to the bands Facebook page, the remaining (yet I really don't like to use that word since they contribute so so much to the sound of the band) two members play just as hard on their "Bass/Eggshaker/Fisher Price Xylophone...", which is played by mustachioed Alex Charleton, and the "Guitar/Cajón/Glockenspiel/Dulcimer/.../Kazoo/Bells/Vocals..." played by the EXTREMELY talented and fully-demin-outfitted, Dave Sustrik.
The set included most, if not all (I did lose count due to lost-in-awe brain) songs from their new album, "Things We Do". Not only did they play orginals but they also included three great covers: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5, Gold Digga - Kanye West, and Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins. That last one was voted into place on their Facebook page! It was great to see a band who can do a cover, but do it well. Performing a cover is not only about making the original proud, but also bringing something of your own to the music! And brought it, they sure did. Erin Faught's vocals on Gold Digga (during the Jamie Foxx part), was actually one of the best acapella vocals I've ever heard.
To sum up a great musical night, the band in no possible way dissapointed, and somehow even made themselves better with their excellent, intimate live show!
Interested in some extra reading, boys and girls? Look no further than my views on the ARTery. It's located on Jasper Ave, just east of the Shaw Conference Centre. If it's ever your first time going there, please, do yourself a favour and memorize the GoogleMap of it first. Trust me, I know this city, and I knew the address, yet it still took me at least 15 minutes of driving around the area to find the "hole-in-the-wall" venue. It actually was reaching the point of frustration when it was spotted. However, another problem soon arose: how do we get in the building? The front door was locked, with a cage/grate over the door. No signs were posted anywhere and, wince the ARTery is part of a bigger building, we went next door to a convienitet stoore to invetigate. That wasn't any help since the store clerk had no clue what I was trying to ask. We decided to go on a short adventure (in one of the sketchier areas of the city), and found out way in finally through a door in the back alley. Once getting inside my frustrating and near anger was cured. The ARTery is such a great location for any band or concert-goer wanting an intimate show. It doesn't fit many people, I'd say 100 or less? However it was perfect for the local artists and folk music that we had gone to see. The stage isn't very big, just enough to fit four members of the Collective West, but also extends on the left hand side if it's needed (this time that part was just used as extra seating). There's also quite a few tables, a set of stairs and a couch where the audience can sit (even though a lot of them ended up sitting on the floor close to the stage...like I said, it was like being with a bunch of friends!). I hope that more bands plan on having shows so that many more people are able to discover the magic of the ARTery like I was!
Monday, February 14, 2011
I'll care for you
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald aka MBF played the Starlite room on Saturday, fitting for Valentines Day weekend. He's a genuinely sweet guy from Calgary, Alberta with what seems like not a mean bone (or song) in his body.
Before I gush about MBF, let me talk about his two, thats right two, opening acts: Calm Asa Coma, and Lyra Brown. I hadn't heard about either of these artists before the show. Calm Asa Coma also hails from Calgary, and really impressed me. As a "local" band (Alberta cred), I really enjoyed that they knew how to use their instruments and vocals together, instead of one drowning the other out (a shame that tends to happen a lot with bands). They had a indie-rock flow, but really were surprising for an opening act for MBF.
Even more surprising was Lyra Brown (not typical to see two opening bands for a local artist, in a small venue). I'll be honest, she looked like she was 12, and her backing guitarist & drummer didn't look that much older than that. But she had quirky lyrics and was very dance-able. I'm actually just reading up on her website now, and she has more of a backstory than I previously thought. It's pretty interesting to hear what this young artist has already been up to, take a minute, and read up. She was also the only one performing from Edmonton.
I first saw MBF opening for OK Go last summer in the same venue, and when we heard he was coming back to Edmonton as the main act we bought tickets two months in advance and started counting down the days. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about this crooner that has so many girl's hearts. I feel that it's that he's just very honest about the way he feels, and doesn't try to use cliched lyrics or phrases to get you to hooked. And yes, its apparent the majority of this songs are about the ladies, but he's not a one-dimensional writer, which can be heard in the songs "Movie Life" or new "In the Woods" (both about living the Hollywood lifestyle).
Now I know I've spoken and described the Starlite Room before, but after attending different venues I'm beignning to relize some of it's unfortunate flaws. The pit is slanted downwards from the stage, so when you're standing it sure does a number on your calves. So much so, that during the 3 set changes at least half of the audience would sit down directly on the floor to avoid the strain (well that's why we sat, and it seemed like most were doing it for the same reasons). Also since the stage is set so high, and we were at the front, about halfway through MBF's set, I started to get cramps in my neck from having to look up. It just makes an otherwise amazing concert a little less so. Also, for some reason, MBF was late to come on stage...quite a bit late, so that it was noticed. He apologized even which was nice to hear, and I was just reading his twitter also apologizing while Lyra Brown must have just been finished.
MBF knows how to entertain a crowd, with his brand of cute-folk-rap. Yes, rap. It's occaisional but just that much more special. It's amazing how long he can rhyme for without taking a breath, and even better when you take that minute to try and soak in every clever lyric.
During a few of the songs he had a large backing band, and I mean large: three fellas in the horn section, a guitarist, bassist, two drummers and three back up singers. Such a big change from the three people on stage during his OK Go opening. And although the others added energy to the show, I'll admit my favourite part was when section by section (and song by song) they would walk off stage, leaving Fitzgerald alone during the middle of the set. With the lights turned way down low, by his request, the room could not have felt more intimate if they had set up candlelight.
It seems like at least one person in the audience was expecting this atmosphere...One of the sweetest thing's I've seen happened during MBF's set, when between "Susie, I love you" and "Care for You", he asked one girl in the audience to turn over her ticket. After a bit of silence, Fitzgerald said "I know you're excited but there's a whole audience that wants to know what that has to say!"...and the response was "Will you marry me?". Don't get in a tizzy like the girl's next to me did, thinking that HE was in fact proposing...but get ready to Aww that the girl's boyfriend had gone through all this trouble to get the proposal just right. Before this it was already the most romantic concert I could think of attending, and after, well there's nothing that can beat that. Now I know how I want to be proposed to.
So many words used to describe Michael Bernard Fitzgerald are overused (and therefore seem less special) for the wrong reasons these days. He's sweet, he cares, he's sentimental. It seems to me that these words are constantly used to decribe fellas, but how often is it blatantly and obviously true (with sincerity, not just to "get with" a girl)?
With songs like Love Your Soul, Can't be Done With You, and Care for You, I dare you to listen and not feel the teeniest bit of real emotion and heart. Not only is it easy to relate to his thoughtful and sweet lyrics, but when hearing his recording, just the same as hearing his voice live, you can feel the emotion through his voice. (Though in my opinion he's one of those rare artists that are much better live than on CD, the only reason being that it is the in-the-moment sincerity that plays such a huge role in his songs)
To sum up: it's a feat not to swoon and get a little weak-kneed for MBF. If the privilege ever gets passed on to your town, don't pass up the chance to let him melt your heart.
Before I gush about MBF, let me talk about his two, thats right two, opening acts: Calm Asa Coma, and Lyra Brown. I hadn't heard about either of these artists before the show. Calm Asa Coma also hails from Calgary, and really impressed me. As a "local" band (Alberta cred), I really enjoyed that they knew how to use their instruments and vocals together, instead of one drowning the other out (a shame that tends to happen a lot with bands). They had a indie-rock flow, but really were surprising for an opening act for MBF.
Even more surprising was Lyra Brown (not typical to see two opening bands for a local artist, in a small venue). I'll be honest, she looked like she was 12, and her backing guitarist & drummer didn't look that much older than that. But she had quirky lyrics and was very dance-able. I'm actually just reading up on her website now, and she has more of a backstory than I previously thought. It's pretty interesting to hear what this young artist has already been up to, take a minute, and read up. She was also the only one performing from Edmonton.
I first saw MBF opening for OK Go last summer in the same venue, and when we heard he was coming back to Edmonton as the main act we bought tickets two months in advance and started counting down the days. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about this crooner that has so many girl's hearts. I feel that it's that he's just very honest about the way he feels, and doesn't try to use cliched lyrics or phrases to get you to hooked. And yes, its apparent the majority of this songs are about the ladies, but he's not a one-dimensional writer, which can be heard in the songs "Movie Life" or new "In the Woods" (both about living the Hollywood lifestyle).
Now I know I've spoken and described the Starlite Room before, but after attending different venues I'm beignning to relize some of it's unfortunate flaws. The pit is slanted downwards from the stage, so when you're standing it sure does a number on your calves. So much so, that during the 3 set changes at least half of the audience would sit down directly on the floor to avoid the strain (well that's why we sat, and it seemed like most were doing it for the same reasons). Also since the stage is set so high, and we were at the front, about halfway through MBF's set, I started to get cramps in my neck from having to look up. It just makes an otherwise amazing concert a little less so. Also, for some reason, MBF was late to come on stage...quite a bit late, so that it was noticed. He apologized even which was nice to hear, and I was just reading his twitter also apologizing while Lyra Brown must have just been finished.
MBF knows how to entertain a crowd, with his brand of cute-folk-rap. Yes, rap. It's occaisional but just that much more special. It's amazing how long he can rhyme for without taking a breath, and even better when you take that minute to try and soak in every clever lyric.
During a few of the songs he had a large backing band, and I mean large: three fellas in the horn section, a guitarist, bassist, two drummers and three back up singers. Such a big change from the three people on stage during his OK Go opening. And although the others added energy to the show, I'll admit my favourite part was when section by section (and song by song) they would walk off stage, leaving Fitzgerald alone during the middle of the set. With the lights turned way down low, by his request, the room could not have felt more intimate if they had set up candlelight.
It seems like at least one person in the audience was expecting this atmosphere...One of the sweetest thing's I've seen happened during MBF's set, when between "Susie, I love you" and "Care for You", he asked one girl in the audience to turn over her ticket. After a bit of silence, Fitzgerald said "I know you're excited but there's a whole audience that wants to know what that has to say!"...and the response was "Will you marry me?". Don't get in a tizzy like the girl's next to me did, thinking that HE was in fact proposing...but get ready to Aww that the girl's boyfriend had gone through all this trouble to get the proposal just right. Before this it was already the most romantic concert I could think of attending, and after, well there's nothing that can beat that. Now I know how I want to be proposed to.
So many words used to describe Michael Bernard Fitzgerald are overused (and therefore seem less special) for the wrong reasons these days. He's sweet, he cares, he's sentimental. It seems to me that these words are constantly used to decribe fellas, but how often is it blatantly and obviously true (with sincerity, not just to "get with" a girl)?
With songs like Love Your Soul, Can't be Done With You, and Care for You, I dare you to listen and not feel the teeniest bit of real emotion and heart. Not only is it easy to relate to his thoughtful and sweet lyrics, but when hearing his recording, just the same as hearing his voice live, you can feel the emotion through his voice. (Though in my opinion he's one of those rare artists that are much better live than on CD, the only reason being that it is the in-the-moment sincerity that plays such a huge role in his songs)
To sum up: it's a feat not to swoon and get a little weak-kneed for MBF. If the privilege ever gets passed on to your town, don't pass up the chance to let him melt your heart.
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