Mike Evin
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Mike Evin

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Locals At Large"

"Be witness to the evolution of songwriter and Montrealer Mike Evin, who's moved away from a folksier guy-with-guitar presentation to full band with piano man (he just finished recording with Barenaked Ladies men Jim and Andy Creeggan). Evin reminds strongly of Rufus Wainwright on some tunes - with a bit of Elton John enlivening things - and late-70s McCartney on others. Prepare to be surprised when Evin showcases at O Patro Vys." - The Hour (Montreal Weekly) - Jamie O'Meara


"Critics' Choice"

"A recent demo showcases local piano man Mike Evin as a budding Ben Folds, with an ear for Tin Pan Alley melodies and a tongue for irreverent humour. With friends like the Creeggan brothers (former and present members of Barenaked Ladies), don't count on him playing the wardrobe-size O Patro Vys forever." - The Montreal Gazette - Jordan Zivitz


"Mike Evin will 'Bring The Stereo' to Niagara University"

"Mike Evin has beaten the musical Matrix.

He has overcome a fake music world, where singers and songs are easily categorized by fans, pigeonholed by success and mass-produced in cookie-cutter bulk by record companies.

He has taken the idea that "there's nothing new in music" and made a mockery of it. In short, he has created an album that cannot be defined.

Impossible, you say? Consider the following:

Imagine Freddie Mercury singing over some Radiohead-esque piano, mixed with a dueling electric guitar and banjo. Such is "Stay Gritty," the first song off I'LL BRING THE STEREO. Or, try some electric '80s bubblegum pop juxtaposed with some Ben Folds piano, hand clapping and laser beams. Such is "Stripper In My Car."

Still unconvinced?

Perhaps you've heard the Muppets "Rainbow Connection" followed by "Chicago"-style jazz piano and horns seque into Billy Joel somewhere else? Those sounds are found on Evin's "Soapbox Racer" and "Wait For The Tea To Steep."

Electric guitar, banjo, piano, laser beams, horns -- Evin has so many sounds crammed into his 11-song album that it truly resembles listening to the radio.

Moreover, Evin, 26, an unorthodox product of the Brothers Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies), employs tongue-in-cheek lyrics and song titles to accompany his catalog of sounds. He worked with fellow left-of-center contributors Tyler Stewart and Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), Kurt Swinghammer (Ani DiFranco, Sarah Slean), and David Matheson (Moxy Frovous) to create something unusually good in every aspect.

'I just wanted to (create) songs that celebrated the joys of life in an interesting way,' Evin said of his music. 'It's funny and it's touching at the same time -- that's what I strive for.'" - Niagara/Wheatfield Tribune - Joshua Maloni


Discography

2005 - I'LL BRING THE STEREO
2001 - THE JANUARY MUSE

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

It happened in a house over the summer of 2004.
Montreal songwriter MIKE EVIN finally had the chance to make the album he's wanted to make for years.

The heroes of this story are brothers JIM and ANDY
CREEGGAN (Barenaked Ladies, The Brothers Creeggan). Back in 2001, they heard Mike's demo THE JANUARY MUSE. Mike and the brothers forged a friendship that eventually led to Jim funding Mike's debut album, I'LL BRING THE STEREO.

Recorded at Jim's house in Toronto, I'LL BRING THE
STEREO was co-produced by The Brothers Creeggan and features notable guest musicians Tyler Stewart and Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), Kurt Swinghammer (Ani DiFranco, Sarah Slean), Gary Breit (Bryan Adams), David Matheson (Moxy Frovous), and Rob Carli (Toronto Symphony Orchestra). The album was mixed in Hollywood
by legendary engineer JIM SCOTT (Red Hot Chili
Peppers, Tom Petty).

With I'LL BRING THE STEREO, the Creeggans have taken Mike's whimsical piano-based songs and dressed them up with an assortment of colours - borrowing elements from country, new-wave, power-pop, funk, cabaret, Broadway, rhythm & blues, and classical. All the while, Mike's
"unexpected and immaculate melodies" and
"honest and poignant humour" glue the songs together.