Standing In My Father’s Past…Literally…
I have to admit – Yesterday I had one of “those” feelings….Not so much a sense of overwhelm, but a sort of nervous/unexplainable awareness you get when you step into a physical environment with a lot of history. I had an interview at CBC Whitehorse yesterday, and had the chance to stand in the same spot my Dad recorded many many years ago. See below:
Tim Kinvig, the sound technician that was present for my Dad’s recordings, the man I was initially introduced to via email in January, took both of these photos…..I have a group of friends that I share stories with of large magnitude, and we usually end our stories with the phrase “Mind blown.”
This would be one of those scenarios =
MIND BLOWN!
Anyhow, I was very fortunate to speak with David White of CBC, and the interview can be heard by clicking the CBC picture below:
The whole experience was wrapped up with a tour from Tim – Pictures, control consoles that he hand built from scratch, and wonderful stories galore. So cool!
All of this has got me quite fired up to hit the road to Faro tomorrow…. home of the Farrago Festival where my Dad performed in 1976. My mom, a couple of old Yukon friends of hers and I, went to the Yukon Archives yesterday after the interview, and were able to hear my Dad’s full festival performance! What a treasure hunt this has been!
I’ll be playing a show at the Spotlight Theater there, starting at 7pm. If you’re around or know someone who may be, please pass this on. It’s going to be a very special evening, and I’m so looking forward to posting about that experience 🙂
Michael
No Fools….Just Gold!!
Today is a special day….
It is a day for playing practical jokes, sharing laughs, and not taking life too seriously….so make sure you have fun ;). It also happens to be my last day of my Alberta tour, and it has been a wonderful few weeks of shows and adventures with friends and family. Thank you so much to all I encountered, to those who hosted concerts, and to those who put me up. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Tomorrow….I head to the Yukon in pursuit of deepening my understanding of my next project – a tribute album to my father. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, last time in Alberta I met a man in an Irish pub whose father booked mine in the only folk festival he ever played almost 40 years ago up in the town of Faro, YK. It led to an email introduction to the original sound engineer and producer from CBC that recorded my Dad, and it redefined the notion of “small world,” for me! haha
I am going to meet a variety of people with stories or involvement from that time, and my mom is joining me in this adventure – Really excited to share this experience with her! Super pumped to be doing a show in the festival town my Dad performed (Faro), in. That will be at the Spotlight Theater on April 6th.
Anyhow, when all this went down in January, I wrote a song after one of my morning walks that touched on this. It is the most recent song I have written, and was the first one I recorded for the new album. I made a video in Kelowna performing it live, and thought today would be the day to release it. Enjoy – “Golden Breeze”
Looking forward to sharing the stories from this coming week!
When Coasts Collide and Solo Tour
I am happy to say that the duo project (When Coasts Collide) I started with Nova Scotian Singer/Songwriter, Jen Miller, has been launched with flying colours this last month, and we’re now on our first official tour! Literally just arrived in Edmonton to play at The Artery this evening, and a set of house concerts around town over the next few days. Message michael@michaelaverill.com for details about where and when those are.
I’ll be carrying on solo after the 17th, through Edmonton, Calgary, and Canmore, so keep an eye on SHOWS for where and when.
Rock Lock On!!
*Thanks to Eric Saczuk for capturing this fun photo!
April 2nd – 8th, 2013 – Yukon Tour
Morning Walks and CBC Searchlight Contest
Voting for this contest ends midnight on the 24th, so just a couple of days to participate. It’s a great initiative to discover wicked new artists around this great country. The top voted artist gets an opportunity to do a CBC video session as well as a showcase in Toronto, so pretty cool stuff.
For walking schedule and locations – click HERE, or look for the Walk With Michael tab on the top of this page.
Thanks for your time and support!
Train Update and February On The West Coast
Upcoming Vancouver Tour Dates:
Care For A Walk?
As the sun sets over one land, it rises on another, and so begins movement towards my next project. Some of you are aware of the journey I am embarking on starting this summer with the release of a new album. If you don’t…I’ll give you a hint..it involves walking….muchos muchos muchos walking. More info will come in time, but I wanted to extend an invitation to you all related to the concept:
*I am committing to starting every morning from here on in with a minimum of an hour walk, in whatever city I am. If you are in the area, and feel like joining me, email michael@michaelaverill.com for time and location, and I’ll see you out in the open air.
Date specific locations can be found on the new “Walk With Michael,” tab to the upper right.
Looking forward to sharing a whole new chapter with you.
(Photo by Eric Saczuk from the Village of Nar in Nepal)
Final “What’s Life All About?” Puzzle Video Released
Today my friends…is a monumental day…
Roughly 11 months ago, I began a wild journey with an album release show that sparked a year of world travel and adventures I could never have imagined. The album – an interactive puzzle meant for people to explore the question – “What’s Life All About?” – consists of 11 songs and 11 videos, each equipped with hidden letters to the answer of that question.
Today, the final chapter of this saga has been posted, and so marks the completion of this project on my end. However, there is more to this endeavor for you, so enjoy the video, and continue with the next step…if you are ready….
Happy New Day, New Path, New Legend…
Exactly a year ago, I wrote a bard’s blog called Happy New Day (click to read), a post that focused on making the most of every day you have. I started today seeing off a great musician friend of mine from Vancouver who came to do some shows with me in Kelowna – Jen Miller (Check out her stuff…she’s..dare I say..beyond radical in every way awesome!) – and followed that up with a reflective walk down the boardwalk near the Grand Hotel.
A great deal has happened this passed year, and I have loved every minute of the adventure, and everyone I have shared it with. One of the major highlights was my experience in Nepal with Climb For Change. Every day of that expedition was about discovery, exploring new paths, and sharing among our team new legends in the form of our shared story.
It was in the sacred Nar Phu Valley that I developed my now current philosophy – “New Day, New Path, New Legend,” and I thought it a fitting title for the 5 song album I wrote inspired by the journey. From environmental commentary on responsibility, to questioning the usage of our words, “New Day, New Path, New Legend,” shines an inquisitive light on global cultural interactions and habits uncommonly spoken of, opening dialogue in search of truth, peace of mind, strength, and confidence in the growth of our society. Two songs from the album – “Nepali Song,” and “Nishta,” were used in the documentary made from the expedition – Beyond The Gates of Phu, a film featured in the fall series of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival.
Every day is an opportunity to walk a new path – to create a new legend. I challenge you to do just that in 2013. So, without further ado, I give you my newest compilation (Click the cover):
Happy New Day, New Path, and all the best on your New Legend!
Michael
Merry Christmas….Don’t Think Too Much
Happy Holidays Everyone,
Just wanted to spread a little fun on Christmas day with the 10th Puzzle video “Think Too Much.” This was put together with clips from all over the world, and I hope if gives you a little laugh on Christmas day.
*Also, I have sent out a little gift to all those on the mailing list. If you would like to receive the special gift and the occasional goofy/thought provoking newsletter, email michael@michaelaverill.com, and I’ll send it over your way.
Enjoy family and friend time! All the best,
Michael
“Simple Sensations” Puzzle Video #9 Featuring Matthieu Binetruy
It was an absolute pleasure to have my great friend from Strasbourg, France, Matthieu Binetruy, play on this song for the 9th video in the puzzle series.
I met Matt 8 years ago in Canada through the UBC Guitar Club, and he is responsible for so much. He taught me the beginnings of how to play lead, introduced me to Gypsy Jazz, was the first person I recorded with, and was the catalyzing factor of me starting to write songs.
He has got a wicked Gypsy Jazz group, and they just released a new album. Check out their website here
Happy puzzle hunting….
Canadian Tour and Film Release a Success! Next..France
What a wonderful couple of months of touring, and a fantastic evening last Thursday for the release of the Nepal trip documentary – “Beyond The Gates of Phu.” Just wanted to take the time to say thank you to all those who came out to the release, and to all the lovely people in Montreal, Ottawa, Waterloo, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, Kamloops, and Vancouver who hosted house concerts and events, and those who attended. I met so many amazing people, and the adventures are going to continue.
I am currently in the Montreal airport waiting to fly to France for the next month, and couldn’t be more excited. If you or anyone you would be interested in a house concert in any of the following regions – Paris, Strasbourg, or Montpellier, email michael@michaelaverill.com to organize a date.
And so a new chapter opens………A bientot!
Aussie Alder Vine – Puzzle Video 8 Up and Running
I’m taking you all back to the What’s Life All About? album release show in March for this part of the puzzle, as it was a fantastic moment. This tune is a tribute to 3 great friends in my life that seamlessly helped me out in times of darkness, simply by being who they are, and doing what they do best.
It was a stroke of amazing star luck that the four of us were able to be in the same place on the same night, and for that I am very thankful. Enjoy….
Massive thank you to Colin Bullock, Simon Vine, and Don Alder. Click on each of their names, and go check out their music/shows. You’re in for a treat!
Michael
Nepal Documentary Release November 15th
It is with great pleasure that I send this update. November 15th is going to be the night of the documentary release that I was involved with in Nepal last April, and you can get tickets for it HERE. The showing will be held at Tinseltown (Vancouver, BC), followed by a reception with tunes by moi, as well as Nepali food and art displays. All members of the team will be there to talk to, and it’s going to be a blast.
It is also going to be apart of the fall series of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, and tickets will be going extremely quickly, so if you want to come, get on it soon.
Hope to see you there!
Omens and Updates
Came across this last night on a dark walk en route to the Ironwood in Calgary. For those of you who have heard my other street message story, you can image my feelings upon finding this. Just wanted to share the reminder, and give some fun updates.
The Canadian tour is coming back to the west coast after 3 more house concerts and a venue show in Calgary, 2 of which are with the rockin’ roots band Bocephus King, and I’m so honored to be sharing nights with them. For a lesson in Amazing Jamming 101 – check out their show. You’ll be educated! haha.
I’ll be strumming away between November 1st – 18th at various locations between Kelowna and Vancouver – collaborating with some great artists, and then off to France for a month. Also on the very near horizon will be the release of the Nepal documentary I was involved with. Exact date will be posted shortly.
Until then…Live the life you love, love the life you live.
From Wooten Woods to Canadian Tour
I just spent 5 days in a forest outside Nashville with the Wooten’s, an all-star lineup of extremely musical beings, their friends, and a collection of wonderful people from all across the world for a camp focused on the exploration of the spirit of music. Words cannot explain, and I was too wrapped up in what was going on to think about lifting my camera to take a picture.
Some highlights I can share:
-Watching jams between Victor Wooten, J.D. Blair, Eric Struthers, Bob Hemenger, and Michael (the character from Vic’s book “The Music Lesson.”) This booked changed my life and the way I will forever view music.
I shot a bow and arrow for the first time, ate like a king, walked blind folded through a forest, advanced my jedi powers, and met so many inspiring individuals. Highly recommended as a necessity for all musicians to experience in their lifetime. If you want any more info, I’d be happy to share more of my experiences. So many great lessons and memories.
On the other side of things, the Canadian tour has been a solid adventure. I have been through Montreal, Aylmer, Waterloo, and am currently rockin in Toronto with old friends. It’s been so great to finally see this side of Canada, and am looking forward to coming back again.
Next stops are Edmonton (Oct. 4th-11th) and Calgary (Oct. 12th-20th), mostly in house concert form. Contact me at michael@michaelaverill.com if you want to come to a house concert and find the location. Also, if you are interested or know anyone who would be interested in hosting one, I have a few extra nights available.
Open dates – Oct. 9th, 10th, 11th in Edmonton
-Oct. 15th, 16th, 17th in Calgary
Thanks to all those who have hosted concerts thus far, and for the lovely places to stay !
Michael
We Love Vancouver Festival Begins/Go Ahead And Do It Puzzle Video # 7 Launched
I am so pumped today!
It is the first night of two nights of concerts for the We Love Vancouver Festival at St. James Hall, and I am fired up to play both of them. Tonight I will be solo among some incredible artists from around the world, and Tuesday will be with the full band (In The Nude), which few have witnessed with their own eyes……You’s folks ins for somethins’ special!
I thought it a fitting day to release my 7th puzzle video – one that I have been dreaming about doing for a while now, and in many ways afraid to. I hope this serves as a great start to your week, and a great spark in your life.
Geronimo!!
Michael
Puzzle Video #6 “Patacancha” Up, and Blog about Vancouver Song
Check out these blogs that were posted this week:
This is the one to do with the next video…..
And here is one to do with a man’s petition to make the Vancouver Song the cities anthem!
Inspiration From 11 Year High School Reunion
Wow, what a weekend……
I just took a jaunt back to Kelowna, BC this weekend to catch up with all those I graduated with 11 years ago. You may ask..”11 year reunion?” Basically, no one organized anything last year for our actual 10 year, so a couple of brave souls took it on this year, and it was a blast. Thanks to J and Leah!
My class was the last year that graduated from a school built in the early 1900’s. Funny thing is, after we left, the school was bulldozed/caught fire I believe, and all that remains is this dusty field littered with dirt mounds and digger trucks. Been like that for 11 years…..
I took a walk out to the site with my guitar the morning of the reunion, and was smashed by a wave of visual memories of people I went to school with, and the events that we shared together. A song flew out of me, and I wanted to share it with you all. Hope you enjoy…
Michael
P.S. So good to see all the old school mates!
Puzzle Video #5 “One Song” Is Up
I post this video with a great deal of warmth, as the story behind it holds a special place in my heart.
A year ago, I had the absolute pleasure of befriending one of the most inspiring people I have ever met, Susan Munroe, and our journey together since then has been nothing short of magical.
Susan was diagnosed a number of years ago with brain cancer, and a type that doctor’s didn’t believe would allow much for her in terms of time. Her positive, creative, and determined attitude has taken her well beyond everyone’s expectations, and she keeps getting stronger.
However, one of her surgeries wound up leaving her half paralyzed, which greatly affected one of her life’s passions – Dancing…
In the late fall, I had lunch with Susan, and she told me that one day, while doing the dishes, she all of a sudden felt inspired to dance again, as if her body had remembered. She told me the song she was listening to was this song…….
Yet again…….the power of music leaves me speechless…..Susan – Thanks for being who you are!
Michael
Writing With David Francey, Mission Folk Fest, House Concerts, and Canadian Tour
What a wonderful re-integration to Canada this month has been. I just spent a week at the Sabir Sisters Music Camp writing songs with Folk Music all star David Francey, and jamming out with about half of the roster of the Mission Folk Festival. What an unbelievable experience that was – I came out with 6 new songs, which I didn’t think was possible. Worked out too that myself and my songwriting group got to perform a song in the Festival that we wrote together alongside Francey, his main guitar man Mark Westberg, and Mairi Campbell. What a gift that was. Thanks to everyone involved with the camp, and to the festival music lovers who were there for that special moment.
If you have a chance, check out David Francey’s music. What an amazing story teller this guy is….Click on the photo below to go to his website:
In other news, lots of fun things coming up. My first Canadian tour is starting to shape up, and wanted to put it out there that I am aiming to do this more in house concert fashion, so if there are any lovely individuals that would be interested in hosting one of these special nights, these are the places I am looking to stop between the Sept.23rd – Mid October:
Montreal, PEI, Nova Scotia, Toronto, Waterloo, Calgary, Kelowna, Victoria. (Contact michael@michaelaverill.com for suggestions or if you would like to host)
For the local Vancouverites, there is an updated list of shows for August and September. Would love to see you out and about.
Michael
Back To Sunny Vancouver
Greetings to you all,
After 3 months of travels in Asia, it feels good to come back home to Vancouver for the start of its beautiful summer. This city is such a special place this time of year. My band-mates and I (In The Nude) released a live compilation video last year in lieu of Vancouver’s 125th Birthday, and I feel the amazing weather we’ve been having is due cause to share it once more.
Hope you enjoy, and check out SHOWS for a list of updated and upcoming gigs around Vancouver.
Coming Back To Canada, and Puzzle Video #4 Is Up – Passing By
Greetings to most, farewell to some…….
This will be the last post I make before returning to my stomping grounds in Canada, and I find it incredibly fitting to post the fourth puzzle video “Passing By,” as a tribute to the last adventurous 3 months.
I have gone from tip toeing for my life around the chatoic streets of Kathmandu, to eating momos and singing songs with ancient mountain villagers in the comfort of their hand built Himalayan homes, to organizing festivals and teaching English to 5 year olds in China…..what a variable ride this has been. Looking back at it all now, I can say that I loved every minute. However, there have definitely been some major challenges that pushed buttons I didn’t know I had. That being said, I give you the latest video.
I wrote “Passing By,” while busking at Granville Island in Vancouver, BC last summer in an attempt to reach the attention of the people passing by en route to the market from their cars. It was a beautiful summer day, and I was playing in a location where very few people stop to listen. At first, I was discouraged…no one making eye contact, no expressions…nothin! But when I sat back and thought about it, I immediately connected with something special, and this song came out.
In preparation for this trip and my album release, I did a lot of walking…probably averaged about 70-100 km/week between the months of November – March, all of which I found extremely cleansing. I came to many solutions, wrote many songs, feeling better every time, as with each walk came a better understanding of myself and the world around me.
It is from this point of view that I began to truly admire those who take the time to aimlessly walk about, for no reason other than to simply walk – as our outdoor world is truly inspiring. When you’re inspired, you become motivated to really live. When you’re motivated to live, you start living. When you start living, you end up discovering the life you want, and you live it. All this from a walk.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my jaunts through these two countries, and I am very thankful to all those I met who showed me welcoming and loving kindness. I have been re-loaded, eyes inspired, and ready to fire.
Nepal and China – You have been good to me, and I thank you for all you have added to my life.
Canada – I hope you are ready for what’s coming your way!
Michael
P.S. Happy Birthday Mom!