Michael Bernard Fitzgerald releases his fifth full-length album, Love Valley. The project is not only one that boasts an amazing supporting cast of musicians but also showcases his songwriting ability as the entire album was penned in his hand. Through the arc of the album, Fitzgerald tells a story the listener yearns to be a part of, with each song weaving his lifetime of experiences with the dream of a life yet to be seen. Simply put, Love Valley is much more intimate and expositional than what could have come from group sessions.
Tell us a little about yourself for those unfamiliar with your music.
I’m a singer/songwriter from Calgary, my writing often originates in personal experience and nearly always has a hopeful undertone. I’ve been a touring artist since 2008 and have released several albums over the years. My most recent album, ‘Love Valley’, is a depiction of the dream I have for my future – a detailed encapsulation of my hopes going forward. The record revolves around the vocal/acoustic guitar and is lifted by saxophone, pedal steel, drums, keys and guest vocals.
How is the process of doing your own writing differ from collaborating?
I’ve loved collaborating over the years. I started out as a writer at home, slowly putting together songs and recording a couple independent records. It was after making the Love LP that I really learned about co-writing and collaborating on songs. I spent every moment I could In LA co-writing and recording – was such a good learning experience and we wrote some of my favourite songs to date. Over those years and recordings there are still songs I would write solo at home or on the road, but I was eager to find songs with other producers, writers and artists. I’m so happy that I decided to write back at home this time, It felt good to refocus here and learn how I wanted to write now – how I wanted to approach it if completely left to my own. We collaborated on the production of music in the studio (Josh Rob Gwilliam and I) and I thoroughly enjoyed that as well, he and I have had so many years and recordings together.
What experiences/inspiration led to the creation of ‘Love Valley’?
I picked up an old upright piano and hunkered down in the kitchen at home most days last year to write. I’d often go back and forth between the guitar and the piano, recording all of the ideas on my iphone voice notes. After writing the title track and ‘Our River’ there started to be the beginning of a thematic idea. We still spent months trying different ideas to no avail and it wasn’t until the fall when the pieces started to come together and the record started to emerge. I think universally we have a destination in mind for ourselves. Some see it as a feeling, some see it in a person and I realized that I’d never taken the time to really delve in and describe what mine was. I took the time to detail what I wanted to see in my own life. A calm home and love, set in the country.
Was this the first time working with Josh Rob Gwilliam as producer?
My first time working with Josh was in 2005 when he mixed and mastered some recordings I had made at home. Since then we’ve made a couple full-length records, live records and have worked together on all of my releases in some form or fashion.
How did he help you realize your vision?
Josh set us on the path of this softer vocal delivery and encouraged me to be a part of every detail. He wanted me to play every instrument possible, and get back to how I was in the beginning, thinking up parts and trying things in the studio. We mixed this together which was a career first for me, I loved every second working with Josh.
You had a great slate of musicians on this release. Which included…
Katie Stanton and Jessica Richie (Touring and band mates over the last 10+ years) as the female vocal on the record, Lyle Molzan (touring and band mate for the last 3 years) on drums, Brett Resnick (Kacey Musgraves) on pedal steel and Art Edmaiston on Saxophone. We also had Spencer Cheyne on ‘Our River’ and Brock Geiger on ‘Love Valley.’
How has the ‘Farm Tour’ been going which was pretty unique?
The Farm tour has been great. It all started out with 58 shows in a smaller tent in my backyard in Calgary and we’ve been touring the larger tent since September 1. The evenings are a lot of fun – The Greenbriar tent is set up on a farm, beautifully decorated and the shows are unique night to night. Conversation is welcomed, groups are safely distanced and there is no set list. I’m looking forward to the last shows of the tour in BC.
The tour concludes on October 31st. Any plans for more shows in the future?
We’ll do some pop-up performances here in Calgary with guest artists in November and the Greenbriar tent will start touring again in the spring. All of the shows these days are sold through our website, and we encourage people to join the mailing list to get the information first.
We are always interested in what artists are listening to for inspiration.
What is on the Michael playlist?
I’ve had Bonny Light Horseman, Big Red Machine and Bon Iver on a fair bit in the truck as we’ve been driving around. Have been following the Folk & Friends and Hanging Out & Relaxing playlists on Spotify as well.
