Mike Evin (piano & vocal) with many of his friends and possibly you too.
Influences
The Bee Gees, Elton John, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, The Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Randy Newman, Laura Nyro, Carole King, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon
Sounds Like
"Veering between Randy Newman (cynical) and Jonathan Richman (earnest), often within the same song, fans of wry, cynical/earnest piano pop should catch his shit. Mike possesses phenomenal hooks and truly awesome stride-y piano chops--that is, when he's not finger snapping and hand clapping the audience into some otherworldly bliss.”
(Dan Bryk, a Canadian singer/songwriter now living in New York City)
GOOD WATERMELON
Piano pop tunesmith Mike Evin hollers out to his bandmates and leads call-and-response singalongs and handclaps all over his new album, Good Watermelon, and with good reason: Everything on the album was recorded and mixed live onto two-track analog tape. Everyone in the studio was clapping, shouting, and singing together in one room, and on the likes of "Great Pop Song," "We Should Dance" and “Rockin’ Receptionist,” you can really tell. Although he’s variously made his home in New York City, Toronto, and Halifax, Evin returned to his birthplace and hometown of Montreal for two weeks in April 2008 to capture Good Watermelon, his fourth recording and his most mature and personal yet. In capturing this eclectic blend of memorable songs that celebrate life, Evin enlisted a gang of players/friends – including Montreal collective Ideal Lovers (Zac Decamp, David Payant, Mike O'Brien and Joe Grass), Andy Creeggan (former Barenaked Ladies), Emma Baxter (Orillia Opry), and Angela Desveaux – to be his backup band, while Andrea Dawes arranged a string section and Paul Forgues mixed and engineered the recording.
The live-to-tape recording style suits Evin well, since he’s as captivating a live performer as you’ll see, using his charm, energy, talent and good cheer to unfailingly grab hold of any and every audience. Evin is a pop eccentric and a true original, in the vein of a Jonathan Richman or a Harry Nilsson, bearing something of the former’s wide-eyed innocence and something of the latter’s melodic sensibilities. Evin’s previous three recordings are The January Muse (2001); his indie breakthrough album I’ll Bring the Stereo (2005); and a five-song EP of domestic love songs, Let’s Slow It Down (2007). Evin has recorded with Jim and Andy Creeggan (current and former Barenaked Ladies), Toronto guitar legend Kurt Swinghammer, Ron Sexsmith's touring band (Don Kerr, Jason Mercer and Tim Bovaconti) and has shared stages with Sexsmith, Amy Millan, Sarah Harmer, Jill Barber and Martha Wainwright. He's been played often on campus and community radio throughout Canada, and has played live on the CBC radio shows FUSE and Routes Montreal. He has toured extensively in Central and Eastern Canada, and has been warmly received in Nashville. His song "Soapbox Racer" was featured in a Red Bull ad campaign in 2008.
This year, in the winter of 2009, he’ll be one of the featured acts on the third edition of Barenaked Ladies’ “Ships and Dip” cruise of the Caribbean, along with Sloan, The Weakerthans and Great Big Sea. He plans to follow up the release of Good Watermelon this spring with a tour that will include dates all across Canada and the Northeastern United States.
Hi Mike, It was great having your music on IndieCan Radio last month. You have joyfulness is your music. Are you coming to T.Dot for NXNE?
Cheers,
Joe Chisholm host IndieCan Radio www.indiecan.com THIS WEEK: Laurence Currie visits to talk about his new TV show with hall of fame Moe Berg that helps indie artists in more ways than one. Also, great indie from Ontario Quebec and Nova Scotia this week http://www.indiecan.com/radio.htm
hi mike just dropping by to tell you that I am still in love with your music! and by the way, I finally uploaded the full 10 songs, so there is plenty of new material... yours Tom
not sure if you remember me but I did yr sound once at the green room in mtl you were playing with Andy creegan. Anyway I love your tunes, makes me happy inside. thanks keep it up.
Mike I just wanted to let you know that getting to know your music was one of my highlights for the cruise. Best moment was everyone singing along with you and Andy during Piano Man in the Atrium. Glad you had a good time.
so glad to see you are coming back to Montreal!! I can't believe e didn't connect again last time you were here. We living in CDN/NDG now so perhaps we can see you this time. WE WILL SO BE AT THE SHOW...and bringing all our new friends!
Mike, how is it going for you? such a long time no talk!!!! are you gonna come to California any time soon??? I'm still your first german fan (living in California) :)
Hey Mike, Brian and I are packing the house up and listening to the CD we just got in the mail from you today! We LOVE IT! Great job...can't wait to see you again!
I am SO jealous you are with Barenaked Ladies b/c I've been a fan for a decade and a half! :)
