Unlikely Pairings House Concert Oct. 20th – Sitar/Guitar Fusion Extravaganza!
I am very excited and pleased to announce I will be linking up with Sitar extraordinaire, Sharanjeet Singh Mand, on October 20th for an intimate house concert experience. It has been such a fascinating cultural sharing and growth with him over the last year, and we’re thrilled to share what we have created together.
Show starts at 7pm, Sunday, October 20th, seats are limited, and tickets are $20.00. Email cowardbarb@hotmail.com or michael@michaelaverill.com to reserve a seat/purchase tickets.
Check out a brief clip of our first composition, “Utkarsh,” which is the Sanskrit word for collective success/going forward together. Enjoy your day!
National Lost Sock Memorial Day
For those who are unaware, today, is in fact, Lost Sock Memorial Day. Take a moment to celebrate the lives of all the soles that have gone sock-about. Where ever they may be, may their journeys be righteous and fulfilling.
In order to pay tribute, I wanted to post a clip from the recent Community of Songs show that happened at St. James Hall on April 5th, 2019. Special thanks to Emily Sim, Elle Glen, and Oliver Smith from Simon Fraser Elementary for joining me on stage to present this song. Presenting emotionally difficult subject matter is always better with the support of others.
Here’s to the lost socks……..
New Valentine’s song and video “Just Tell Her,” released today!
If you are looking for something impactful and meaningful to give to a friend, family member, or a special someone this upcoming Valentine’s Day, give them the gift of honest and healthy communication. See how in the video below:
*Just Tell Her is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes. For a free copy of the song for your personal sentimental collection, there is one condition of agreement. Visit the Bandcamp page for more information.
Very special thanks to Ivy. The Pulse and Derek for their fantastic acting skills. This is my first theatrical video I’ve shot and made for my music, and it was a blast with these two. Ivy is also a tremendous singer/songwriter/producer, and her song “Still Waiting,” is playing in the early part of this video. Check out her excellent music here
Happy upcoming Valentine’s week to you all, and big thanks for the loving support and honesty you’ve given me over the years!
New Disney inspired song “A Villain By Definition,” and fundraiser launched today
BOO! Mwa ha ha ha….With Halloween around the corner, and a Disney cover show fundraiser for music therapy coming up on November 18th at Notional Space in Vancouver, the shadow forces have conspired to bring forth the release of a brand new quirky tune titled, “A Villain By Definition.”
It’s an ode to the villains of Disney movies, and their ruthless commitment to their menacing causes. May it take you down a dark walk of nostalgia……..
The song is currently only available on Bandcamp on a “Name your price,” basis. Until November 18th, all proceeds will go towards the fundraiser show that is raising money for music therapy at Children’s hospital in Vancouver. Contribute what is comfortable, and share with whoever you feel would get a kick out of this song. If we raise over $1000, it can be directed to a specific program, and I’d love to see it go to the mental health ward there.
A Villain By Definition will be available on Spotify, Google Play, and other music listening services very soon.
Major thanks to Jonathan Anderson at Protection Island for helping to raise this crazy song from its villainous depths, and for the most laughter I’ve ever had in a recording session! There are instruments and gadgets on this track that I’ve never heard of or even seen before. Prizes to those who can guess what was played on this song.
New song and video for “That Star,” released today with The One Song Series
Touring and sharing music has shown and taught me many things. I’ve been able to experience different ways of life and perspectives foreign to me. I have listened to and exchanged very personal stories with anyone from close immediate family, to complete strangers on the streets in other countries. I think it’s safe to say that every single being on this planet deals with internal struggle to depths that are often times impossible to recognize from the outside, or at least until you ask.
Over the last Spring/Summer, I personally know 4 people that made attempts on their lives. 3 of them were successful. I started writing about it, but found it too difficult to complete. I attended the songwriting workshop at the ArtsWells Festival in July, trying to shift focus away, but it kept pushing through.
With a great deal of encouragement, support, and touching personal stories from other songwriters and the instructors there, I completed “That Star.”
Ever notice how you have to go to the darkest places in the world to notice all the stars in the sky? I think we have a lot in common here, and the more people I meet, the clearer it becomes we are living in a time of deep loneliness.
My hope and intention with publicly sharing this video/song is to encourage you to look around at the people in your community, and simply, to check in. Reach out to a friend, family member, someone who seems like they could use a kind hello or a call. Get together with someone you haven’t heard from in a while, and get caught up. Really listen to them.
No one likes asking for help. If you’re feeling low, don’t be afraid to reach out to those close to you, or a service like the Crisis Centre. We gotta look out for each other.
Thanks to the One Song Series for filming and producing this in it’s new and raw state, and thanks to FACTOR Canada for supporting my travel and participation in the ArtsWells songwriting workshop.
Workshops in the local news
This last Alberta tour was a ton of fun! Not only did I get to tour with me Ma, I got to run a couple of artist development workshops along the way. Here’s a newspaper clipping from one in Whitecourt, Alberta. It was fantastic to meet and work with some of the musicians there with regards to jamming, performance, and collaborating. In the photo with me is an excellent singer/songwriter, Danielle Knapp, who participated in the workshop. Check out her music on her Instagram here.
2018 Summer BC/Alberta tour dates announced next week
Getting really pumped to venture through BC and Alberta this Summer! I’m going to be playing a mix of house concerts, venues, festivals, schools, and running an artist development workshop. Can’t wait, and will have dates and places up next week if you want to join in the fun.
For now, enjoy a short clip from my opportunity to perform at the Honda Celebration of Lights Festival last summer with U.K. beat boxer, James Kwant, and Irish Uileann piper, Chris McMullan. What a fun jam that was!
New Covers for the Cause Video – “Sail Away” by PK Tessmann in a raft
This was way too much fun! Enjoy the latest of my series of Covers for the Cause in support of music therapy through Music Heals. The song is called “Sail Away,” by PK Tessmann, and you can hear more of her music and the original tune here https://pktessmann.bandcamp.com/track/sail-away
New collaboration “Water Your Own,” with PK Tessmann available today! (Click photo to listen)
Happy holidays folks, and welcome to the near onset of 2018 :). It’s a funny time of year where many people reflect on what has happened in life up to this point, and set sights on what they want to achieve going forward.
This past year, I put focus into collaborating with other artists. My new album, All We Ever Need, is an example of this on many levels. During the Summer and Fall, I toured and performed with Cumberland’s (Vancouver Island) PK Tessmann. Not only did I discover a fantastic artist and human being (Check out her music!), but also a great new friendship.
After a house concert in Ladysmith, BC, the topic of “The grass is always greener on the other side,” came up in conversation. PK offered the following wisdom – “Well, if the grass is looking greener, it’s time to water your own.” BOOM! You best be sure I noted that down in my writing book!
During our following ferry ride back to the mainland, we decided to write a silly song together, and thus “Water Your Own,” was born. We had such a blast writing and performing this tune, we decided to visit producer/artist Corwin Fox in Cumberland to do a live off the floor recording in October. And now, it is here for your enjoyment! Click the snowy trampoline photo to listen, or receive the song for free by emailing michael@michaelaverill.com.
Happy coming new year, all the best in 2018, work together to do better, and if the grass is looking greener on the other side….dig in…put in the work, and remember to Water Your Own!
Playing The Woodstove Festival with PK Tessmann Nov. 4th/5th in Cumberland, BC
Here’s where you can catch PK and I this weekend in Cumberland:
Saturday, Nov. 4th, 6:30 The Abbey (Cover your CV Friends)
Saturday, Nov. 4th 9 PM The Abbey (PK and Michael full set)
Sunday, Nov. 5th, 4:15 Abbey (S.A.D. Songs in the Round)
Interview by BCIT News about Covers for the Cause and the Honda Celebration of Lights Festival performance tomorrow, 4pm
Click the photo to read the interview! Thanks Suzannah!
Over $7000 raised for Music Therapy at SJMA, and playing the Honda Celebration of Light Festival Second Beach Stage with special guests, Aug. 2nd, 4pm
Huge thanks to everyone who requested covers and contributed, shared, and encouraged my efforts in the Covers for the Cause campaign put on by Music Heals. Total amount raised for the music therapy program at SJMA (St. James Music Academy) is close to $8000!!!
As an amazing bonus, I’ve been given the opportunity to perform at the Honda Celebration of Lights Festival on the Second Beach Stage, August 2nd, at 4pm. I will be bringing on some special guest artists to join me for this special experience, so come down and celebrate with us! Artist names will be revealed here soon :). The Boom Booms will be playing later that evening, and are a band not to be missed!
Amazing work to all the musicians who raised funds for music therapy through the Music Heals covers campaign. In one month, the artists involved and their supportive audiences raised over $17, 000 for music therapy! How cool is that?!?
You know what else is cool? Donations and the opportunity to request covers from your favourite local artists are going to continue to be open, so if you’re looking for something special to contribute to, or know an artist who would love to be a part of this, send them to coversforthecause.com. I am always happy to take further requests, and you can contribute for that here
Thanks again everyone!!! See you on a big stage on the 2nd of August!
West Coast Tour with PK Tessmann, July 4th-July 9th
It has been a while since I played on Vancouver Island, and I am thrilled to be coming back for a short tour with award winning musical Islander/songstress, PK Tessmann. We’ll be doing a few shows on the island, and a couple on the mainland. Check below for dates/locations, and email for info if you’d like to attend a house concert:
July 4th Ladysmith, BC, House Concert w/PK Tessmann, 7pm (email michael@michaelaverill.com for info)
July 5th – Cumberland, BC, Rare Bird Bookshop w/PK Tessmann, 6:30pm
July 6th – Quadra Island, BC, Kameleon Cafe w/PK Tessmann, 7pm
July 8th – Mission, BC, House Concert w/PK Tessman, potluck dinner 5pm, show at 7pm (email michael@michaelaverill.com for info)
July 9th – East Vancouver, Notional Space Concert w/PK Tessmann, 6:30pm
Request a song to be covered on cello and help support music therapy through Covers for the Cause
Ever wanted to have one of your favourite tunes re-interpreted by me on the cello? Here’s your opportunity to do so and support music therapy in Canada.
Music Heals launched a new campaign to raise support and awareness for music therapy called Covers for the Cause, and I jumped onboard to participate. I just finished one request for Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (Thank you Nicole!), so if you’re wondering what this may look like, check this out:
Why on the cello you say?? Why the heck not!?!?! Playing the cello is a new adventure for me, and I’ve been loving it! I thought it would be a great personal challenge to see if I could make covers happen this way, and I welcome your requests with open arms :).
Deadline to request and donate is July 17th, so if you want to take part, either as an individual or group, do so soon. You can contribute and request on my page here. If you’re not into the cello challenge, there are many great musical friends of all genres involved I would highly recommend contacting below:
Dawn Pemberton (Soul/R&B), Sadie Campbell (Roots/Rock), Chicken-Like Birds (Ragtime Country Blues), Luca Fogale (Soul/Folk), Dom Fricot (Rock), Sam Lynch (Heart ache Electric Folk), Colleen O’Connor (Jazz), Elle Wolf (Rock), Alex Maher (Soul/Hip Hop), Chase Your Words (Pop/Punk)
Either way, only good can come from more support for music therapy as a means of recovery and growth.