Canadian multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer, Danny Michel unveiled his latest album, Ghost Town on June 30, which features the single, “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself.”
Listen to Ghost Town below and learn more about Danny Michel via our StanFest interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Danny Michel, I was born next to a chocolate factory in Kitchener Ontario
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Written during what he calls the “dead zone” – years of writer’s block topped off with a little global pandemic – Ghost Town sees Michel unveil his most earnest and vulnerable songwriting yet.
“This was without a doubt the hardest record I’ve ever made” he reflects.
This rollercoaster of an album careens through songs of regret sorrow isolation hope redemption and more.
“I want people to feel they’re not alone and still find hope in things that are painful” Michel continues.
The result is a dreamy blend of unorthodox clarinets saxes fuzz guitars vibraphones piano and retro synths recorded in Michel’s home studio.
You’re playing Stan Rogers Folk Festival this year. Is this your first time playing at the festival? If so, have you ever attended?
I played at the festival in 2010 and 2017. Love it and can’t wait to be back
With a stellar, hugely-Canadian lineup, who are you excited to check out at the festival?
Great to be back doing festivals again running to music friends like Alan Doyle, Dave Gunning, and Tara Maclean.
For someone who has yet to see you perform live, describe your performance in 3 words.
That’s hard for me to say about myself.
On Saturday, July 22, there will also be a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, so I have to ask, what is your favourite Gordon Lightfoot song?
There are so many, it will be hard to pick. But I will be playing one of them that evening.
Do you have any other upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
JULY 16 DURHAM ON * FOUR WINDS FESTIVAL
JULY 19 BERWICK NS * UNION ST
JULY 20 HALIFAX NS * CARLETON
JULY 21-22 CANSO NS * STAN ROGERS FOLK FESTIVAL
AUG 10-13 EDMONTON AB * THE EDMONTON FOLK
SEPT 07 CALGARY AB * IRONWOOD
SEPT 08 JASPER AB * FOLK FESTIVAL
SEPT 29 BANFF AB * MACLAB BISTRO
SEPT 30 PRIVATE EVENT
OCT 02 SHERWOOD PARK AB * FESTIVAL PLACE TICKETS
OCT 13 STADEN BE * ART STUDIO BRIKAT W/GORDIE TENTREES
OCT 14 AMSTERDAM NL * BACKSTAGE W/GORDIE TENTREES
OCT 15 LIPPENHUIZEN NL * PITERKERK W/GORDIE TENTREES
OCT 24 BARCELONA ES TBA * W/GORDIE TENTREES
OCT 25 ZARAGOZA ES TBA *W/GORDIE TENTREES
OCT 26 MADRID ES TBA * W/GORDIE TENTREES
OCT 27 PALENCIA ES TBA * W/DANNY MICHEL
NOV 17 HALIFAX NS * LIGHT HOUSE W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 18 WOLFVILLE NS * FESTIVAL THEATRE W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 19 PICTOU NS * PICTOU LEGION W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 21 TORONTO ON * TD MUSIC HALL W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 22 LONDON ON * AEOLIAN HALL W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 23 MEAFORD ON * MEAFORD HALL W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 24 ORILLIA ON * ST. PAUL’S CENTRE W STEVE POLTZ
NOV 25 MORRISBURG ON * UPPER CAN PLAYHOUSE W POLTZ
NOV 26 GUELPH ON * ROYAL CITY MISSION W STEVE POLTZ