Michael Feuerstack

Hello everyone,

I’ve been quiet here for a very long time. It’s not because I haven’t had any news – just been too busy to make a report. Here’s all the news I can think of:

Upcoming EP – Adult Lullabies

Some very exciting news is that Forward Music Group will be releasing an EP of new MF music this winter. The 5 featured songs were recorded during the same sessions as The Forgettable Truth. It’s a really strange and great collection of songs, and I’m very proud of it. A sort of a simple yet philosophical theme runs though it: asking how to balance a love for humanity with your own apparently inevitable tendency toward self-indulgence. Fun! Images and advance tracks coming soon.

New demos and ideas

I am slowly starting to assemble little bits and pieces of sketches that I’ve either jotted down or recorded over the last while. It may not sound like much, but it’s the beginning of making a new record. Once I sort through all this stuff, I may be able to imagine some kind of new album direction or sonic plan that will guide me and inspire me to get started for real on a new recording and/or maybe even a new instalment of Singer Songer (which my Mom loves so much)…

New video from the Singer Songer record

Speaking of Singer Songer – here is a new video for the Devon Sproule sung song from that record. It was put together by What If Productions, for the 48 hour film challenge put forth by KIAC/Yukon Film Society in Whitehorse, YT. I am grateful. Enjoy!

Otherwise…

Between the various performances with my band since the record came out, here’s what I’ve been up to in my “spare time”.

Camille Delean debut album

One of the things I’ve been working on the most this year is a beautiful record by singer songwriter Camille Delean. We met at one of my shows just over a year ago. We chatted about recording and making music, and it was’t long before she asked if I’d be available to help work on some of her songs with her. She did the basic tracks in London with the incredible multi-instrumentalist and producer Ben Walker  (Check out http://josienneclarke.co.uk). Afterward, she brought the tracks home to Montreal and we’ve been adding more vocals, guitar, steel guitar, keys (courtesy of Mathieu Charbonneau) and violin (by Josh Zubot). We are finishing up the mix now. I am very proud of this record, which I loosely describe as Twin Peaks meets Astral Weeks. Bold claims I know, but trust me it’s good.

Paper Beat Scissors EU tour

October saw me traipsing around Europe playing guitar for the one and only  Paper Beat Scissors, supporting his newest release Go On.  It was really fun to play guitar in this amazing line-up featuring Tim Crabtree (brains of the operation), Gregory  Burton (check out the ruling Bantam Wing), Tessa Kautzman (also a Bantam Winger) and Alex Thibault. Great musicians and travel-mates all around. So many sausages and so many hours logged. Special mention goes to our tour mom Thomas Lechner who has always been and always will be one of the greats.

Bell Orchestre sessions

This long-silent band has been very slowly making some noise again. We retreated together in the summer for a big improvised recording session, where we recorded countless hours of material.  Much of it is good, and we are currently going through everything to see what what is worth working on to eventually share. Slow as always, and not so steady, but I assure you we are making something.

New Luyas recordings

We have a new record in the works. It’s exciting for me, because after much touring and involvement with the band is my first Luyas record as an actual member. We recorded in November, and it’s now being mixed by the amazing Jace Lasek who also recorded and produced the sessions. I suspect we’ll have some news about our plans in the coming months. All I know is that we’re making a rad record.

Will Samson

My friend Will Samson finally released his lovely record Ground Luminosity on Talitres Records. I had the pleasure of collaborating remotely on this beautiful record. We met having shared shows here and there on tour in Europe, and he invited me to contribute some of my vocals and pedal steel to his recordings. Congratulations to Will! Have a listen!

And lastly, some props:

A big thanks to Said the Gramophone who included my “Clackity Clack” in their favourite songs of 2015.
One Chord to Another listed “I Wanted More” on their list of the top 20 songs for the year.
The Globe & Mail featured The Forgettable Truth among their Our Favourite Things feature form 2015.
…and 5kHz included the record on their list too! I feel like a prom queen.

Thanks for the hoots!

Have a great mellow holiday season, whatever that means to you.

Lots of love,

MF

Hi Everyone,
Here are the links to all the stuff we’ve been talking about.
You can see video of us preforming on Q HERE.
You can hear all the songs and the interview HERE.
Here is a link to the video that the amazing Mylene Simard made for Lamplight from the new record.

And finally – new dates have been added! I’m very pleased to announce that I’ll do solo shows in Quebec supporting Patrick Watson and in Toronto supporting Great Lake Swimmers.
xoMF

Well the record is out and there has been a really heartwarming response to it so far. Particularly, this Globe & Mail article by Sean Michaels and the response to it have left me reeling.

I am also home from an amazing European tour which brought me to numerous places, new and familiar. I was honoured to share the stage with my new Dutch comrades The Fire Harvest, whose kindness, generosity and musicianship were at the top of the scale.

For now, I’ll rest a bit, but just a little bit. There is much much much more action to come.

Don’t forget to grab the record from Forward Music and keep your eye on the shows page, because sooner or later, I’m coming to you!

xo
MF

Hi everyone,

Album plans are well under way. In fact, Stereogum has premiered one of the songs from The Forgettable Truth, along with some very kind words. Listen and read HERE.

Some of the new material was just debuted this past weekend at the Passovah showcase at M for Montreal. It was a pleasure to finally render some of these new tunes live with a full band, closely replicating the album arrangements. Stay tuned for more of that in March, after the album’s release FEB 17.

Thanks for reading.
More soon,
MF

Trailer #1

Trailer #2

Hi everyone,

Finally finally finally, I can share with you the video that we made for Scorekeeper, from my Tambourine Death Bed album [buy it here, if you are so inclined]. Huge thanks go out to Scott Da Ros and AJ Korkidakis who conceived it and were largely responsible for making it happen. So many great people contributed to it, and I’m very grateful. Enjoy!

I write you now from Halifax, where I am on tour with the amazing Thus Owls. We have had a really great time, finding the perfect balance between work and play – all the while surrounding ourselves with wonderful and generous folks. That same bill will have more shows coming up soon in Ontario and Quebec, so stay tuned.

xo MF