Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Winnipeg's Mike Petkau's worthy debut CD Parapet blends vintage prairie folk with subtle experimentation, not unlike the Fembots. The brain-dodging Dry, Bent Up starts out a sinister hush then soars into a chorus reminiscent of Psychadelic Furs' Love My Way."
- Vancouver Sun
"Newcomer Petkau adds strings and atmospheric studio effects to the conventional semi-acoustic folk-pop record in what amounts to a succesful debut. File under artsy folk-pop." - Winnipeg Free Press
"Meandering between mellower acoustic guitar-based ‘alt-folk' and upbeat electrified pop/rock, Petkau’s impressive debut features some tasteful songwriting and is competently produced, recorded and mixed by Petkau (with help from a few talented friends). It’s in the quieter moments that the subtle percussion, trumpet, cello and electronic flourishes raise this engaging music above the din of the many lesser singer songwriters competing for our attention. This Winnipeg-based artist has talent worth keeping an eye (or ear) on."
- CJSW Radio, Calgary
"The debut CD from local singer-songwriter Mike Petkau is a handsome calling card from and up-and-coming folk-rock artist. Largely self-produced (and self-performed, with the exception of some key guests), Parapet is an eclectic record tinged by frisky and intricate guitar work, veering from the Strokes-lite jangle of "Its A Chance You Gotta Take" (which has already found a happy home on campus radio) to the folky groove of "Blue & Red Lights." Although he's earned most of his performance chops as a solo artist, the band-oriented vibe laid down by Petkau and his cohorts suits him even better."
- Uptown
"These songs are waaaaay cool." - Joe Fingerote, CBC Radio
Discography
2002 >> Parapet
2004 >> Teacup (s/t - sideproject)
2004 >> Don't Say A Word (to be released fall 2004)
Two singles off Parapet received extensive campus radio play in Canada, "Its A Chance You Gotta Take" and "As A Prairie I Once Loved".
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Mike Petkau is standing next in line to wave Winnipegs flag as a hotbed for literate and empassioned songwriters. This former member of goth-lite Astarte has armed himself with a vintage guitar, a thesaurus, and a handful of road-tested songs of urban decay and the love lost within a city's walls. Rotating between somber introspections and driving rock-n-roll romance, Petkau and his band have begun criss-crossing this monstrous nation.
With a crafty self-produced album, Parapet, a love of the open road, and a new crack band in tow, Mike is upping the ante for his live show. Now joining him in the tour van are guitarist/bassist Dave Quanbury (Tequila Mockingbird, Brandy Zdan) and drummer Steve Martens (Monica Schroeder, The Fading Hopes).
Mike tours both solo and with the band, and can be found throughout Western Canada in January. Ontario and Quebec will follow in March. A new record showcasing the new pop songs is due out in fall 2004.
Parapet features performances by Greg MacPherson, Mimi Orr, Vava Kolinski (Toronto's Evil Twins) and Joanne Lawton (London's Sirens) among others. A diverse album of acoustic impressionism, folky soundscapes and driving rock-n-roll romance, Parapet announces a creative new voice from a creative city.
While all this hubbub goes on, Mike doubles as a recording engineer and producer. He recently produced several pieces for the JUICE compilation of spoken word & music, and is currently producing new albums for new-wave singer-songwriter Darren Day & The Veronicas and psychedelic jazz/rock outfit Mahogany Frog. Other credits include House of Doc (Sacred Blue) and Cat Jahnke (Cathartic). Mike also finds time to volunteer as a sound mixer for indie movie shoots within Winnipeg's vibrant independant film community
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