Peter Katz - Guitars & Vocals // Scott Montgomery - Bass // Ben Harrison - Keys //
Brad Hart - Drums // Drew Jurecka - Violin // Sheena Turcotte - Backup Vocals
Influences
Jeff Buckley, Ron Sexsmith, Leonard Cohen, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Daniel Lanois, Damien Rice, Ani Difranco, Martin Sexton, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Rob Szabo, The Frames, Nick Drake, Hayden, Ray Lamontagne, Rufus Wainwright, Sarah Harmer, Regina Spektor, Tom Waits, Elliott Smith
Sounds Like
Jeff Buckley, Damien Rice, Ani Difranco, Ron Sexmsith, Martin Sexton, Van Morrison
MySpace Editor at MySpace Toolbox!
***If I take a little while to add back, it's because I want to look at your profile properly. I will definitely get to it. Thank you for your patience (and for adding me!)***
To put this banner on your site just copy and paste the code below...thanks!!
"Lyric and vocal virtuosity" Aaron Foster - ChartAttack
Winner of the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award and the Grand Prize Winner of Toronto's IndieWeek, Peter Katz has been delighting listeners with his captivating blend of folk, jazz and rock music. His ethereal vocal work, profoundly honest lyrics and dynamic guitar style have earned him repeated comparisons to such greats as Jeff Buckley and Martin Sexton. Performing regularly to sold-out crowds in Ontario and Quebec and ever-increasing numbers across the country, Katz has been winning over fans the old-fashioned way: one at a time through great music and an intensely powerful live-show.
As a testament to Peter Katz’ remarkable grassroots efforts, his self-produced, self-released demos ‘The One Minute Mile Man’ and ‘Split’ sold over 3500 copies in less than 2 years. June 23rd, 2007 saw the release of ‘More Nights’, Peter Katz’ first official full-length album and joined by his backing band, The Curious. The album was recorded at the legendary Metalworks Studio as well as at the Hive in Toronto with funding partially provided by a FACTOR grant. ‘More Nights’ features guest appearances from some of the brightest names in the music scene today including: Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland, Kevin Breitt (Norah Jones), Valery Gore, Alex McMaster (A Northern Chorus) and Marc Rogers (K’naan, Holly Cole). Only 6 months into its independent release, the album has already sold over 2500 copies and has just been picked up by Curve/Universal Music for re-release in 2008.
Recent activity for Peter Katz includes 3 successful national solo tours (100+ dates a year), invitations to play at such festivals as The Ottawa Folk Fest, Canadian Music Week, NXNE (for which he scored a 91 % on his Chart Attack report card), back to back sold-out shows at the Rivoli in Toronto, an invitation to perform for 2 weeks at the prestigious Karmina Palace in Manzanillo, Mexico as well as a special invitation by the National Arts Center to play in Vimy, France as part of the 90th anniversary re-dedication ceremony of the Vimy Monument. Katz has also managed to land several strong support spots with such notable artists as Bedouin Soundclash, Tokyo Police Club, The Cat Empire, Jeremy Fisher, Emm Gryner, Danny Michel, Melissa McClelland, Tomi Swick and many more.
In addition to his blossoming music career, Peter Katz has also been receiving considerable attention as a composer, writing music for numerous modern dance choreographers, including Naomi Lebel (OMO Dance Company) & Andrea Spaziani (DanceVein, IDAC). Katz was also recently commissioned to compose an original 30-minute score for renowned international choreographer Meagan O’Shea’s new work “When I See You Again” which premiered at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto as part of the Indie Unlimited Festival.
Peter is currently preparing for his 5th national tour of Canada in support of the re-release of “More Nights” as well as his first tour dates in the US and Europe.
QUOTES:
"Peter Katz has steadily made a great name for himself in the Canadian music industry. His high energy performances, and well-crafted songs make him one of the best live acts I've had come through my club in years. His music seems to strike a chord in people. Combine that with his strong work ethic and it makes me wonder why no one has snatched this guy up yet. If I had the money, I'd put it into his future." Chris Loane booker for The Rivoli, Toronto, Ontario
"Peter Katz is one of the most original songwriters and performers I have come across in a long time. His high-energy stage performance really captured me". Paul Gourlie, Agent at The Agency Group
"A gifted songwriter blessed with a gorgeous, warm voice". Christa O'Keefe - See Magazine
"A gifted, eloquent, songwriter". Antoine Tedesco - Scene and Heard
“Katz resembles kindred spirit Ron Sexsmith and his subtle acoustic charm, while channeling Hawksley Workman's grief stricken vocals. The music is reinforced by Katz's genuinely heartbreaking take on modern day love-tragedies………More Nights begs the question: why is such a talented songwriter with such well-crafted pop songs still an independent artist?” Jason Gladu, Pop Journalism Magazine
“Beautiful and intimate, More Nights is an album from a young Canadian artist that shows true musical brilliance. More Nights deserves to explode onto the indie rock scene and hopefully gets Peter Katz the credit he deserves for creating such enjoyable, personal folk music”. Jordyn Marcellus, Gauntlet
"More Nights is truly worth the expense it took to make... The stark arrangements serve perfectly the singer's penchant for finely crafted lyrics" Bill Adam, Echo Weekly
"Talented singer-songwriter Peter Katz has quickly garnered critical acclaim by winning the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award and Toronto's IndieWeek. Katz's album ‘More Nights' is another milestone in his blossoming career, displaying both his musical dexterity and versatility within different generes ... this burgeoning virtuoso proves he is indeed a musical chameleon in both vocals and acoustics. With his enticing blend of folk, jazz and rock, Katz is sure to heat up your summer with ‘More Nights'" Crislana Rafael, YouThink
"[Katz] breathes life into Buckley's unique stream of folk music and for a moment garners smiles from those who worshiped the genre. But Katz by no means lives in Buckley's shadow. He carves his own niche in the industry and delivers a unique blend of folk with a vintage sound.. Peter Katz embodies Canadian folk". Andrew Seale, Spill Magazine
man you are something that canada can seriously be proud of. (UNLIKE THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS). Your music is incredible. ill check you out when you come to montreal!
I really miss seeing you live, being swept away in your beautiful melodies. Please play Kitchener soon! I finished my first Album! yay! I think i might plan an aug or september release. Not sure yet, these things take time.
