So here is the thing...due to the fact that I am an Algonquin journalism Student, I can't post the story on here that I would like to post because my story is now owned by the Algonquin Times. That being said, I can still write a new piece with new information that wasn't used in my Times Story. Therefore there is no copyright infringement. So here I go...
Recently, I attended a show for an up and coming indie-folk-pop artist named Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, or MBF for short, here on campus at The Observatory (The OB). It was a fantastic show with great enthusiasm!
In his short career as a professional recording artist, Calgary's MBF has already been coined as "Canada's next best hope for a global star" and someone to watch in 2010 by Peter Simpson who writes a column for The Ottawa Citizen.
With music reminiscent of the soulful sounds of James Morrison and Dave Mathews and equally as unique, MBF's songs carry plenty of base and drumline-esq snare beats mixed with the melodic sounds of a piano on songs such as Reach You; string orchestras and xylaphonic instrumentation on tracks like Movie Life; and a few tracks with harmonious chorus vocals in the background, it's hard to believe MBF has only been playing professionally for 4.5 years!
His unique sounds seems to resonate well with his fans, new and old.
"I loved the show!" said show attendee Matthew Haddad. "His music emits love, happiness and friendship and that's all that you need."
"My favourite song that he played is Movie Life," said Rosie Waugh, who attended the show at The OB and was the lucky lady chosen to go up on stage during the ballad Care For You. "It was very neat the way he made songs that everyone knows have a completely different sound."
Not only did he bring someone up on stage during a soulful ballad, during one of his more energetic songs, Movie Life, he played the song with a loop pedal, overlapping his own voice several times before adding a new riff and continuing the loop for a good 2 minutes thereafter. While the loop continued to play in the background, MBF began singing various other songs such as My Humps by Fergie, Waterfalls by TLC, The Thong Song by Sisco, Tik Tok by Ke$ha, and a few other songs as well. It was amazing to watch him up on stage loving what he does and how much the audience laughed and got involved.
Later on, towards the end of the show, MBF played his latest single, Brand New Spaces where he got everyone in the audience standing up and thumping their feet while clapping a special beat, the same one that can be seen in his music video for the song. What great enthusiasm!
In recent months, from October to December, MBF had steady gig at a place called The Supermarket in Toronto's Kensignton Market, just west of the downtown core, and only taking 2 weeks off at Christmas.
"I like being busy," laughed MBF.
Touring so much usually puts a strain on one's ability to keep track of time and MBF is no exception to this rule. he recounted a story to me about this one time while back home in Calgary for no more than a single day. MBF forgot that BlackBerry phones don't automatically change time zones when you fly in and out of cities. This meant that he needed to keep track himself and of course, that meant humorous events were bound to occur.
"I had called for a cab that was supposed ti pick me up at 5 a.m." MBF told me as he recalled his adventure with time changes. "I set my alarm so that I could get up and ready for the cab the night before. I woke up and got ready and went downstairs to wait for my cab. I waited and waited and finally decided to call the cab company. They asked me when I ordered the cab for and I told the girl 5 a.m., she said 'Sir, it's only 3:10 in the morning' and suggested I go back up to my room and take a nap," recalled MBF with laugh.
Playing only in Canadian Venues thus far, MBF calls a 1,600 person venue in Calgary, called Jack Singer, one of his favourite places that he has played to date.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play there," said MBF. "I finally got to play there this summer for my CD release party for my first full length album The MBF LOVE LP."
With his first full length album out in music stores across the country, MBF is well on his way to bringing his energetic songs to all of Canada and the world beyond!
Monday, February 8, 2010
How to Survive Valentine's Day
Everyday should be a special day to spend with someone that you love. This is true for most people, yet we have this one day specifically designated to love called Valentine's Day. Listed Herein are some tips to help you make it through this season of love.
For most people, Valentine's day is a reason to acknowledge one's love for another special someone in their lives. For others, Valentine's Day is a representation of corporate influence over the populous to buy cards, candy and flowers for others. Perhaps it is a combination thereof. in either case, there are a few things to keep in mind on this special day.
For starters, part of the problem with Valentine's Day is that if you don't have someone special in your life, there is a certain stignma that comes with being alone. It's unfortunate, but true. In these circumstances it usually helps to have friends in the same situation, therefore you don't feel so alone.
If there is no on who you can share this day with in the same situation, the best alternative is to see if you can organize a group thing. Maybe not a whole day event if your friends have other people to spend time with also, but perhaps instead a special lunch, dinner, or even a shorter coffee date so that you don't spend the whole day alone sulking. These are usually good ways to not feed too lonely and isolated on Valentine's day.
On the other hand, some people fee a significant amount of pressure to make plans and make a big deal out of that day itself. They feel that because it is a day designated for love, they not only have to have a date, no matter who it is, but also to have elaborate plans. if you fall into this category, there is nothing wrong with that either. Just try to remember that everyday should be special and love should be shared all year round so don't concentrate all your loving for someone to this one day. Spread the wealth:)
If you do choose to make plans, try to take into account your partner's feelings. For example, if they are not normally someone who likes to go out for dinner, maybe plan to stay in a cook them a special romantic dinner at home, spending a bit more time lingering at the table over a bottle of wine than you normally would. Also, try to flexible in you making of plans. Things come up and could change the events of the evening. It isn't always good to be to dead-set on sticking to the plans that have been previously made. Sometimes the best Valentine's Days that occur are the ones that are the most spontaneous anyways!
If you are one of those people who really feel more comfortable making set plans and sticking to them, such as dinner reservations, it is important to remember that Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants so try to make a reservation well ahead of time otherwise you might be out of luck. this is really good advice for those of you who really want to go out and maybe get away from the kids or the roommates..plan ahead!
Aren't one for making big plans well ahead of time? Try being different than all the rest and maybe make plants to make dinner at home that doesn't require a lot of planning or stay in and rent some movies instead of going out like most people plan to do.
At the end of the day, the most important tip to adhere to is to listen to your heart and do what feels right for you and your partner. After all, it is Valnetine's Day and your heart is the most important part of it.
For most people, Valentine's day is a reason to acknowledge one's love for another special someone in their lives. For others, Valentine's Day is a representation of corporate influence over the populous to buy cards, candy and flowers for others. Perhaps it is a combination thereof. in either case, there are a few things to keep in mind on this special day.
For starters, part of the problem with Valentine's Day is that if you don't have someone special in your life, there is a certain stignma that comes with being alone. It's unfortunate, but true. In these circumstances it usually helps to have friends in the same situation, therefore you don't feel so alone.
If there is no on who you can share this day with in the same situation, the best alternative is to see if you can organize a group thing. Maybe not a whole day event if your friends have other people to spend time with also, but perhaps instead a special lunch, dinner, or even a shorter coffee date so that you don't spend the whole day alone sulking. These are usually good ways to not feed too lonely and isolated on Valentine's day.
On the other hand, some people fee a significant amount of pressure to make plans and make a big deal out of that day itself. They feel that because it is a day designated for love, they not only have to have a date, no matter who it is, but also to have elaborate plans. if you fall into this category, there is nothing wrong with that either. Just try to remember that everyday should be special and love should be shared all year round so don't concentrate all your loving for someone to this one day. Spread the wealth:)
If you do choose to make plans, try to take into account your partner's feelings. For example, if they are not normally someone who likes to go out for dinner, maybe plan to stay in a cook them a special romantic dinner at home, spending a bit more time lingering at the table over a bottle of wine than you normally would. Also, try to flexible in you making of plans. Things come up and could change the events of the evening. It isn't always good to be to dead-set on sticking to the plans that have been previously made. Sometimes the best Valentine's Days that occur are the ones that are the most spontaneous anyways!
If you are one of those people who really feel more comfortable making set plans and sticking to them, such as dinner reservations, it is important to remember that Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants so try to make a reservation well ahead of time otherwise you might be out of luck. this is really good advice for those of you who really want to go out and maybe get away from the kids or the roommates..plan ahead!
Aren't one for making big plans well ahead of time? Try being different than all the rest and maybe make plants to make dinner at home that doesn't require a lot of planning or stay in and rent some movies instead of going out like most people plan to do.
At the end of the day, the most important tip to adhere to is to listen to your heart and do what feels right for you and your partner. After all, it is Valnetine's Day and your heart is the most important part of it.
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