Sometimes the most moving and resonant artistic expressions have humble beginnings. That’s the way it happened with Mike Evin’s “Along The Way”, the latest single from his 7th album, Something Stirs When You Sing, which comes out August 23rd. The song was commissioned by a fan, and once it was written, Evin forgot about it until rediscovering it a couple of years later.
“This fan asked me to write a song about the journey being more important than the destination,” says Evin. “It seemed like a simple song and was effortless to write. So maybe that’s why I didn’t think much of it. But with some distance, I was touched by the patient wisdom of the lyrics.”
For over 15 years, with his heart on his sleeve, Evin has been writing immediate and disarming piano pop songs with adventurous melodies that live inside you. His vulnerable and harmonically rich music has been called a “lesson in ‘old school’ pop” (Roadie Music), and it’s made him a favourite among some of Canada’s most renowned musicians — like Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith.
Produced by Chris Stringer (Abigail Lapell, Rose Cousins), “Along The Way” is a heartfelt meditation on the journey of life, built around rolling piano arpeggios and an expansive melody. Evin’s live-in-studio piano and vocal performance was captured at Toronto’s Union Sound on the legendary grand piano that has been played by everyone from Oscar Peterson to Jeremy Dutcher.
No click track or headphones were used, giving the song the live energy of Evin’s concert performances. The accompanying instrumental touches are minimal but transformative - traveling bass, ethereal chimes and triangle, and a cloud of ‘ooh la la’ background vocals.
Toronto-based Evin has developed a devoted fan base throughout North America and the UK. Originally from Montreal, Evin first gained exposure in 2005 with the critically acclaimed I’ll Bring The Stereo, co-produced by Jim and Andy Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies fame. Since then he’s made a whole range of diverse albums. He’s toured and shared stages with BNL, Sarah Harmer, Sexsmith, Dan Mangan and Martha Wainwright, and his music has charted on CBC and Sirius XM.
Perhaps Evin’s vibe can be best described by his friend and close collaborator Jim Creeggan: “Mike Evin taps into what motivates people and champions the search for happiness.”
“A rarity – a pop composer who isn’t afraid to use his wit or to wear his heart for all to hear.”
— CBC Radio
“Contagious energy … Mike Evin has all that it takes to get discovered by a wider audience.”
— Musicomania
“Mike Evin’s ‘Have I Ever Loved?’ is a modern classic.”
— Adam Levy (Norah Jones)
“Hauntingly beautiful vocals and mesmerizing music”
— Canadian Beats
“His music is fun, the spirit joyful, the hooks ridiculously plentiful.”
— Bob Mersereau (Top 100 Canadian)
“The next big thing”
— CBC Music
Media contact:
Beverly Kreller
Publicist | SPEAK Music
o: 416-922-3620
bev@speak-music.com
Booking and other enquires: Nyree MacPherson
nyreemakesiteasy@gmail.com
Mike Evin:
mike@mikeevin.com