Ontario - Pop, Alternative, Roots
Michael Johnston
There's lots to say about this modern day renaissance man, so let's hear from the critics. "...exuberant Canadian Michael Johnston bounces around from instrument to instrument keeping the energy high."- The Scotsman (Scotland, UK). "...purely Canadian in all the best ways. Michael Johnston has finally succeeded in uniting our great land — at least musically." - CHART. "Delicately beautiful..." - the Toronto Sun. "The illegitimate son of Burt Bacharach and Randy Newman...sweet, uplifting, fresh and original." - En Route
Michael Johnston is appearing in
Mariposa Kitchen Party Friday at 7:30pm
I've Been Everywhere Saturday at 11:00am
Folk Cabaret Saturday at 4:15pm
Curious Heart Sunday at 12:30pm
Northern Lights, Southern Cross Sunday at 3:15pm
Canadian singer-songwriter/pianist/producer Michael Johnston is an endlessly creative and exuberant performer, called "sweet, uplifting, fresh and original...like a male Sarah Harmer" by Enroute Magazine.
Born and raised in Peterborough, Michael lived in Winnipeg, Montreal, and – briefly – Slovakia before settling with his family in Toronto.
Michael’s debut full-length recording, “Curious Heart,” was recorded on Toronto Island with Don Kerr (Ron Sexsmith) in 2005. “Curious Heart” heralded the beginning of Michael’s engaging and collaborative approach to music making. With a reputation for explosive spur-of-the-moment workshops, and a love of audience interaction and participation, Michael quickly became a favourite amongst festivals, musicians and audiences across the country.
Michael will begin recording his 2nd album later this year - a personal collection of both inspiring and reflective songs, responses to the joy, births, deaths and change (hello, beautiful life!) that have marked the transition from his 20s to his 30s.
This collection of largely self-penned original songs will include spirited collaborations with Chris Difford (Squeeze) and Dave Clark (Rheostatics).
In addition to his solo career, Michael has toured and recorded with the legendary Canadian band Skydiggers since 2006, co-writing three songs on Skydiggers’ “City of Sirens” (2008); his keyboard playing also features prominently on their latest CD/DVD, “The Truth About Us: A 20 Year Retrospective” (2009).
Michael had the pleasure of co-writing and producing his late friend Taylor Mitchell’s debut, “For Your Consideration” (2008), which was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music award and has earned international recognition and praise since Taylor’s untimely passing in October of 2009.
A highly sought-after collaborator, Michael has written songs with the likes of Stephen Fearing, Lynn Miles, Suzie Vinnick and Cindy Church. Michael produced and co-wrote 2010 Maple Blues nominee Scott McCord’s recording “Blues For Sunshine”, and is currently producing the anticipated debut for Salome Bey’s daughter, Saidah Baba Talibah.
Michael is also a member of the critically-acclaimed 8-piece Scottish-Canadian supergroup The Burns Unit, whose full-length album, “Sideshow,” will be released in July 2010, with performances across the UK, including at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival.
Having first played at Mariposa in 2005 in the midst of a great romance, Michael feels a very personal connection to the festival and is honoured to be back this year, with his wife and two children, to celebrate the festival’s 50th anniversary.