Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
Saturday, January 30
TOP Noonhour Concert
Medicine Hat College
 “Michael Bernard Fitzgerald swaggers with soulful credibility that blends seamlessly with a soft pop persuasion to create a pretty slick sounding album. On any scale, MBF is stirring, emotive and an excellent song writer.” - Fazer, 2010
“If you want a combination of Jack Johnson's laid-back vibe, Dave Matthews jam (sans the pretension), Ben Lee's pop sensibility, and a whole lot of soul, then you should definitely check out Michael Bernard Fitzgerald.” - Snob’s Music, 2009
“It's easy to understand why Calgarians have embraced Fitzgerald. His tunes are cool, catchy and easy-going, much like the singer.” - Chartattack 2010
There’s a lot to love about Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF). His sweet, approachable disposition gives way to an undeniable confidence onstage. He is a man who can break hearts playing solo with an acoustic guitar and loop pedal, and in equal measure, make venues soar with full backing bands, choirs and dancers. From his spontaneous live show song-sampling that name checks the likes of Alanis, TLC, Ke$ha and Flo-rida, right down to his trademark canvas kicks, MBF personifies his music: optimistic, uplifting, honest, daring and full of love.
From his modest first show at a tiny folk club in 2005, to the heights of Virginfest, touring the country with Hey Ocean and playing with the likes of Stars, k-os, Bedouin Soundclash and Hedley, the course is now charted for Michael to embark on his next musical journey. He is a man who thinks big picture, grand scale – not only in terms of his success, but also in communicating his music. In 2007, the University of Lethbridge supported his “These Proportions Are Epic” tour, where MBF escorted a band of 50 musicians playing University theatres throughout Alberta. That same year, Michael performed at Calgary’s Grand Theatre with a backing band of 26 musicians, returning to that venue twice more with 54 performers on stage. The Alberta Foundation for the Arts granted Michael funding for a full-length recording (which he made in Nashville) and in 2008, Michael won the X92 Radio station’s “Xposure” contest - landing him that coveted spot at Virginfest. Michael was crowned “most promising songwriter” by the Calgary Folk Festival where he performed that year. Rawlco Radio awarded Michael a grant for the recording of his first full-length release.
That release, The MBF Love LP (LOADMusic/EMI) was unveiled in June of 2009. A soaring, emotional, studio album produced by Juno-Award winner, Russell Broom (Jann Arden) was conveyed in larger than life form by the “Love and Manners” show – a sight and sound spectacular coordinated by Michael and involving 120 local musicians, dancers and visual artists on stage. Michael next envisioned “The Loud Love Choir Tour” a 90-person choir, four piece horn section, percussionists, guitars and keyboards which took The MBF Love LP to new heights. Two sold-out shows at Knox United Church in Calgary translated into almost 2,000 in total attendance. The show was scaled back to a choir of 30, with most of the other elements remaining in place and was taken to Lethbridge, Kelowna, Vancouver and Edmonton in 2010.
After assembling delightful, indie-inspired, friend-filled videos for album tracks, Care For You and Brand New Spaces, MBF recently revealed the superbly executed video for album single Movie Life - complete with choreographed dancers and 3-D post production effects, all happening while Michael and friends hurtle through the night on a pretty kick-ass party bus. Michael will round out 2010 with select tours and summer festival plays. He is starting to plan the recording of his next album, expected for release in 2011. You can expect to fall in love.
Photo Credit of David Myles by Mat Dunlop |
