Fitz.

Fitz, a London-based collective of musicians led by Singer/Songwriter Sam Fitzpatrick, has brought new meaning to the Christmas advent calendar. Instead of a little pieces of candy, Fitz is providing listeners with a variety of song nuggets from popular Christmas movies. FOLLOW THE CALENDAR. The audio/visual tidbits are released every other day, with the other days of the month devoted to giving visual clues of the song that will be released next. It’s creative, different, and fun. It also just demonstrates the talent of Fitz.

Yes, Fitz is far more than an advent calendar. He is an uber-talented singer/songwriter with a penchant for sweet vocals and skillful acoustic melodies. His talent is only outweighed by his subtlety. Fitz’ music creeps up on you. It’s soft, even pastoral, and it is vast – a wide-open field of wonder and tenderness, like the bright green field depicted in the video for his song “Caves,” which was released back in October.

Fitz’ British Americana style – yes, I understand the contradiction in that sentiment – is that of a folk troubadour. The music is comfortable, low-key, and relaxing. But, at the same time, there is a vivacity in his tunes, a strength in his voice that calls out to listeners. Fitz understands how to mold a song, and he does so with wonderful precision.

The video of “Caves” tells the story of a young boy who leaves home to explore a verdant world. It is a true coming-of-age video, as the characters suggest. The boy in the video takes a picture of the “tallest tree” and then tosses it in a stream after he sees an even taller tree. In his exploration, he grows. It is a story of adventure and aging – with the universal color for growth, green, as a backdrop.

I want to provide you with one video from the advent calendar. Here is an enthusiastic, albeit self-deprecating version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Merry Fitz.mas! - The Music Court (http://musiccourtblog.com/)

The general chit chatter of ale drinking locals was first a hurdle to jump, but once Sam Fitzpatrick’s voice soars, spreading around the room during Imst, all eyes are very quickly upon him.
The spine tingling reach in Sam’s voice is wonderfully backed up by band members Joel Careless on acoustic and backing vocals and Benjamin Maines-Blatherwick on drums. However it is Richard Potts banjo, mandolin and harmonica that bring something new and exciting to the eerie folk genre that is becoming ever more popular following success is bands such as Bon Iver and Mumford and Sons. It is the crafting of these instruments alone that turn an innocent interlude between songs, in to a small scale hoedown that witnesses a pint being thrown out of sheer merriment and shouts for more. This is what Fitz do during the whole set, look at what has been done before and make damn well sure they come out with something different, but better.
With vocal and backing band boxes ticked, there is also no need to question the brilliance in Sam’s guitar playing ability, as his cover of John Butlers instrumental classic, Ocean, sends the room silently stunned as it did with the ten thousand viewers of his Youtube video.
Caves, the new single to be released on the 15th October, is truly wonderful and certainly the ideal gateway for any new listener. Followed by Patchwork, this sees the end of what has not only been a remarkably stunning performance from Fitz but an experience only to be looked forward to by all future crowds following the tour south.
Fitz played The Malt Cross on Tuesday the 2nd of October.
- Left Lion (http://www.leftlion.co.uk/)

Caves is the second single to come from new acoustic folk artist Fitz. (yes, the “.” Is part of the name!). with a debut album set for release next year. This will not only be a debut album for Fitz. but also for the new label Us Is The New Them.
Based on the British group’s second single Caves(and first single Maps for that matter), the full length album Patchwork is something to look forward to.
The production is smooth and solid but not too much so to cover up the quirky melody or the youthful earnestness in front man Sam Fitzpatrick’s vocals. The addition of Susie Haynes’ beautiful voice in the chorus adds a curious extra layer to the song, suddenly making Sam Fitzpatrick’s baritone sound 10 years older.
Caves was, as the rest of the album, recorded in a barn in Wales, and after listening to the song, this actually seems like the perfect location. It’s authentic and “homey” and sounds as if the instruments grew out of the barn and waited, without a hurry, for the right people to come and play them. Those people would be the young men and women of Fitz.. If calming and peaceful silence had a sound, this would be it.
Fitz.’ debut album Patchwork is set for release in early 2013. Caves will be available on iTunes from Monday, October 15th.
- The Melody Box (http://themelodybox.com)

Feeling like a small child getting an early Christmas present, I was unashamedly excited to receive Fitz.’s second single ‘Caves’.
Far from being a job or hobby to review his latest offering, it’s a genuine pleasure to be able to listen to another phenomenal track from an incredibly talented musician and his equally gifted friends and band mates.
Fitz.’s music, and his new single in particular, has an incredible raw quality – a certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ that can’t be summed-up or compared to anything else. The cacophony of instruments, played by talented musicians and creative artists, gives the tracks a depth like nothing else I’ve heard from an independent band.
‘Caves’ begins with a soft guitar riff, enchanting and inviting. This simple, yet inevitably effective opening lends itself perfectly to the thoughtful lyrics sung by Fitz. with his impressive yet laid-back voice. The female vocalist accompaniment, something new compared to the male solo in ‘Maps’, adds a real quality and profoundness to the lyrics. Fitz.’s songwriting is stunning. His tracks are relatable, understated yet understandable.
The instrumentals in ‘Caves’ saunter happily throughout peaking at an underrated but powerful crescendo. There’s no symphony of drums or hair-raising guitar solos – it doesn’t need to be all singing, all dancing to engage and cocoon those listening to it; I was engulfed within 3 seconds of the track’s opening.
The soft but paradoxically powerful percussion, accompanied by the staple harmonica, famed in Fitz.’s first single ‘Maps’ are great additions to the guitar in this track. The organic folk quality Fitz. has perfected in his music is convincing and professional.
Listening to such a well-performed, meaningful and impressively produced track by a humble musician from the West Midlands, faith is restored in music and a metaphorical two fingers is thrust at an ‘industry’ which is happily distributing and encouraging overrated, over-produced and meaningless drivel compared to the true musicianship and talent of people like Sam Fitzpatrick and those privileged to work with him on his tracks.
I’ve seen Fitz. perform live and without sounding crazily cliché, I had goosebumps throughout the set. The emotion, passion and thought that’s blended into the music makes for an incredible atmosphere in a live setting. If you get the chance, please support Fitz. at a live gig and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
‘Caves’ is an out-and-out success and I hope it receives all the support and praise it deserves. Keep your eyes peeled for the video release of ‘Caves’ on October 1st 2012 and the single will follow shortly after on October 15th. You can keep up-to-date with Fitz. at his Facebook page and on his website.
I also feel the need to mention David Jones and his brother Leigh for their incredible work on the filming, direction and production of Fitz.’s music videos. They are unbelievably talented and add invaluable meaning to the brilliantly written and performed songs. Check them out here.
- The Ruckus (http://www.whatstheruckus.com)