Michael Bernier

On Stage with Michael Bernier the Adva Mobile 'Mobile Artist of the Month.'

Michael Bernier is hands down one of Boston’s hottest acoustic singer-songwriters. Time and time again Michael has created songs that capture the ears and minds of his listeners. This is why it comes as no surprise to his loyal, and rapidly growing, fan base that he is making such an impact in the music scene both locally and nationally.


Together, Michael Bernier and his backing band The Uprising have headlined Boston’s greatest musical venues. Sellout shows at the Middle East Downstairs, the Hard Rock Café, Bill’s Bar and several other Boston hot spots have put them on every true music lover’s radar. So, when we heard that Michael Bernier & The Uprising had linked up with Live Nation and would be headlining the Paradise Rock Club this August 29th, we were not shocked in the least bit. (Summer 2008 quote).


Michael Bernier has performed across the country and across the world in places from Massachusetts to California to Maui to Moloka’i to St. Croix to Dominica to Costa Rica to Germany and on and on. His songs have been heard on several radio stations and he has recently been selected as a River 92.5 Homegrown Artist. He has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and internet blogs.


So, we ask, how has he come so far?


Michael says, “Hard work, dedication, love, excitement and time have brought me and the boys to this point. Mix that all up with the high powered positive musical energy that we create at our shows…throw in a little bit of inspiration from my vagabond lifestyle…add the amazing musical talents of the people in the band….toss in some of life’s daily struggles…and then add a heaping scoop of support from all of our fans and friends...and there you have it.”


“As of the recent years, we have been focused on taking advantage of all of the technological avenues that exist to expand our reach and our fan base. Internet tools like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter have been of great help for us. But, as we have all seen, the cell phone world is taking on countless types of innovative services and functions and it is now clear that it will be a large part of the wave of future marketing and advertisement. That is why we have teamed up with Adva Mobile… now we find our band on the cutting edge of mobile marketing…we are bringing our music directly to the hands of so many people…the fact that it is so convenient for people to join our fan base, download our music, and buy tickets…literally with a couple motions of the fingertips….is super sweet,” exclaims Michael.


To join Michael Bernier’s Mobile Fan Base, get free music and get the latest on this rising star and his band The Uprising, simply text the word ‘positive’ to GetMe (43863) or visit Adva.US/positive on your mobile phone or computer.
- Adva Mobile

WHO: Michael Bernier and The Uprising

AKA: Michael Bernier, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, djembe; Ryan "RyBomb" Bernier, bass, backing vocals; and Mark "F" Fiorentini, drums and timbales.

VISIT: www.myspace.com/michaelbernier.com

DOWNLOAD: Live version of "In The City"

BACKSTORY: Michael Bernier hails from a small town in Massachusetts with cows and a dairy farm, but through his music brings us the sound of the sandy sunny shores of southern California. Maybe it's because the Dracut native spends two winter months in San Diego strumming his acoustic guitar in beachside bars. The troubadour started playing after one of his older brothers brought a guitar home. He joins his other brother, Ryan, in The Uprising.
By Rachel R. Briere
rbriere@lowellsun.com

INTERVIEW:
You spend time between San Diego and here. How does the music scene differ from the East to the West coast?
In San Diego, there is a lot of support. There people will come out any night of the week -- there are more young people, lots of dynamic types . Here, I can draw a large crowd on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, it's a lot harder to on other nights.

So do you prefer California to Massachusetts?
No...they are both good times ... I am very happy where ever I am.

Why did you dub yourselves The Uprising?
A lot of the music that I write is positive progressive music set on making a change in the way this country and this world are going ... the uprising or a take over with a positive, peaceful approach is what we are all after.

You write all of your own original music. How long does it usually take to write a song?
Anywhere from 10 minutes to two years -- it really depends. The songs that are hits are natural and written over a couple of hours. I can tell when it will be a great song if when I am writing, the music is coming to my head so fast that I am trying to get it all out. When this happens I will stop working in order to get all the words down before I forget.

Your influences go from grunge icons, Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley, to a surfer vibe like Jack Johnson, and then you also site Zach de la Rocha. Is it possible for you to combine all these genres into one sound?
I could say that. Yes. Jack Johnson is positive and easy to listen to and Zach is so righteous and has so much meaning in his songs. When he was in the mainstream making statements about what is really going in this country, Zach was putting it all under a spotlight then what is downplayed by the media. He was anti-media, but eventually became the machine he was raging against, perhaps that was why they split. There's also Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root) -- he has an unbelievable energy behind him. I combine them all. I listen to their message, and by that I can tell if they are actually being themselves or not.

What are some of your gripes about the music industry today in general?
I understand the way the music industry is the way it is. Why the songs that are on the radio are on. No gripes. My agent is always saying 'Hey, let's write something mainstream, let's get poppy.' I am not opposed to writing a pop song, but I am trying to write what reality is....for me.

What is next for you and The Uprising?
I'm sitting with publicists next week to see which publishing house to go with. I am also blocking in shows at the Paradise in Boston and started getting radio air play in southern Florida. As far as the band, we're putting together a demo and have a number of independent labels interested. We're also involved with Evolvement Music, a very small independent label that started with us. They do all of our promotional material, mailings and flyers. My agent wants us to hold out for a bigger label. It's pretty cool to choose a label and a publicist, but doing it all without selling our souls.

Speaking of souls, if you could resurrect one deceased musician to play with, who would it be?
Bob Marley.

Michael Bernier and The Uprising play the Amesbury Sports Park Brewfest on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.; The Claddagh Pub in Lawrence on Oct. 13 at 9:30 p.m. and at Harpers Ferry in Allston on Oct. 23 at 8 p.m.
- Steppin’ Out Local Spotlight Lowell Sun 9.13.2007

. - Reviewer Magazine