Myc Sharratt
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Myc Sharratt

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2005 | SELF

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | SELF
Established on Jan, 2005
Solo Rock Pop

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Rocker brings together good sounds for impressive album."

Myc Sharratt sounds like a giddy school boy when he boasts about his latest CD Six Feet Above, but deservedly so. Last year, he assembled some of Nanaimo's finest rockers and recorded an impressive live album. The session rolled out at the Queen's Hotel in November and the ensemble played each track twice to ensure they had the best sound. Sharratt returns to that very stage Saturday night for his hometown CD release party. It will be a rare weekend show of original music and Sharratt couldn't be happier. He and his band, The Alibi, will play original tunes starting at 8 p.m. before shifting over to cover songs late in the evening to keep the weekend warriors happy with songs the all know. This is a great opportunity to see how the new band members sound. Sharratt has played with bassist Anatol McGinnis for years, but he has added Duncan Symonds on guitar, Matt Carter on saxophone and piano, and Trevor Nettleton on drums. The humble singer-songwriter beams with glee when discussing the album that includes three studio-produced tracks. "It blows my mind because I should not be able to put my name on something this nice. The guys kind of spoiled me," he quipped, throwing praise on his band. "I'm in love with this record." Sharratt is also up for male songwriter of the year in the Vancouver Island Music Awards, which is a testament to the talent and dedication this man brings to his material.When he learned about the recognition, he celebrated the best way he could. "I picked up my guitar and said: 'Haha, we got it,'" he explained. "It's a pat on the back for my ego. I mean it's the rest of the guys who make this album sound so good, so the songwriting nod is good." Sharratt will tour his album this summer. He and his band will head as far east as Saskatchewan and make their way home doing as many gigs as they can in between. But before that, he joins Ladysmith's Ryan McMahon for an Island tour in May. "I think the world of Ryan so it's nice to be able to play with him. I look at it like I get free admission to the Ryan McMahon show," Sharratt said. Get to the show early to hear the new album. - Nanaimo Daily News - Derek Spalding - March 25, 2011


"Top local musician will give a great show tonight at the Queen's"

My regular readers may have noticed that I unabashedly take every opportunity I can to write about Nanaimo's Myc Sharratt. I make no apologies for that. This man is one of the better acts hitting the music scene in Canada and he's packed full of integrity.

He recently earned a pat on the back from Vancouver's Shore radio 104.3 FM. Programmers there selected his as a finalist for their Top 20 Sounds of Summer promotion. As a result, two of Sharatt's songs get regular play over the air waves and I can't help but crank up the volume in the car every time I'm lucky enough to hear it while driving.

Unfortunately, the last time I featured Sharratt in this slot, he was bumped from his show because somehow he got double booked at the Queen's Hotel. But this time, we're all guaranteed to see him perform if we catch his show tonight. The Queen's has him on the schedule again and I won't miss it for anything.

It's going to be an emotional show for the young artist. His grandfather passed away yesterday, just two days before the 10-year anniversary of Sharratt's father's death. His dad lost a battle to cancer, which already makes this time of year particularly difficult. "It's certainly going to be tough," he told me yesterday.

But Sharratt pushes on and promises to put on a solid performance. He's also agreed to headline this year's Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, which runs from July 9,10 and 11.
He and many other stellar acts from Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo will take to the stage to raise money for breast cancer.

If you haven't checked out Sharratt's music, visit his myspace page or turn on the Shore once in a while.

We should all be proud of the type of artists that call this city home. You should also support the man, when he makes the Top 10 on July 5. That's the day, the radio station throws the decision up to its listeners, who get to choose the ultimate sound of summer song.

The Queen's show starts at 10 p.m. so make sure you check him out. - Nanaimo Daily News - Derek Spalding - June 24, 2010


"Busy City Musician Plays the Queen's Next Week"

Myc Sharratt returns to a Nanaimo stage next week after spending a couple years in Victoria and Vancouver.

The busy musician spends his time between the Lower Mainland and Nanaimo, but he hasn't performed for a home crowd until just recently. He plays the Queen's Hotel this coming Wednesday. I've missed my last few chances to see Sharratt, but I won't miss this one.

The creative and diverse singer-songwriter made some important gains in his career since I last typed his name on my keyboard. He recorded a few more tracks, earned a regular rotation on one of the best radio stations to make waves in Canada in years, and he has penned about 30 more songs that he wants to take into the studio. He wants to take his time with his third album, so don't expect one soon, but keep listening for it.

Sharratt spent years opening for larger visiting acts in Nanaimo, but he found his own groove eventually and like most up-and-comers, had to move on to bigger cities to make any significant moves with his music career. Right now, he's on the cusp of taking off.

Vancouver's Shore radio 104.3 FM took notice of Sharratt in recent weeks. After months of lugging around four of his latest studio recordings, he decided to release his very tasty single Nearly Gone to the only local radio station he admired. The Shore programmers are unlike other Top-40 DJs. This independent station strives to play talented new artists that otherwise miss out on widespread exposure. Making regular rotation on the Shore means you have something special. One spin on the Shore means you caught the attention of true music lovers.

Sharratt has received kudos from the parents of old boyhood friends, who heard his song in the past couple months.
"It's kind of weird. I've been hearing from all these people's parents that I haven't heard from in years," he said this week.

The recognition reminds him of his goal to make money doing what he loves. "It's one of those have-to-succeed careers," Sharratt explained. "The exposure's important because it's nice to be reminded that I don't have to do this for free." While we're on the topic of money.: Anyone who wants two free passes to the show, should call me this morning. The third caller to leave me a message gets their names on a list at the door. Do not call after 11 a.m.

The show starts at 10 p.m. at the Queen's Hotel. Don't miss it. - Nanaimo Daily News - Derek Spalding - May 6, 2010


"Nanaimo Singers Nominated"

Nanaimo musicians cleaned up with 17 nominations in the Vancouver Island Music Awards.

Myc Sharratt and Andrea Smith lead the way with five nominations each for their albums.

“I couldn’t sleep a wink last night,” said Smith after learning the news.

Also picking up nominations in Nanaimo were Rick Scott, Layla Zoe, Shauna Sedola, Anthony Maki, Peter Frewin, Valley Hennell, Rick Salt and Pat Coleman.

Smith was nominated for Sweet Embrace recorded over a year at the studios of Salt and Coleman. They received a producer/engineer nomination for their work on the album.

Smith wrote all tracks on the album, plus produced it without any government grants.

“It’s got my blood, sweat, tears, soul and heart in it,” Smith said.

Sharratt was equally proud of his nominations for his second album, Blueprint, which was recorded over 10 days in North Vancouver.

This album showcases the strength of his voice and his guitar playing, he said.

“It’s kind of cool to capture the whole growth thing on tape,” Sharratt said. “I’ve always had a guitar and music in my blood.”

Award nominations are invaluable to an artist as they bring additional attention to their work, promoting album sales and increasing performances.

“Any sort of awards show will bring interest to an artist,” Smith said.

The Vancouver Island Music Awards were created by James Kasper to showcase the talent of Island artists. More than 50 entries were received from Island artists.

Until now, the events and awards show were held in Victoria.

“We’re very excited to bring the Vancouver Island Music Awards to Nanaimo for the first time,” Kasper said.

The awards week begins April 18 with the opening ceremonies and continues with showcases and interactive events with the nominees, culminating in the awards show at the Queen’s April 21 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and available at the Queen’s and Music Maxx.

Smith and Sharratt plan to be there.

“I just hope I don’t get shut out,” Sharratt said. “I’d better have my loser clap perfected.”

For more information, please visit www.myspace.com/islandmusicawards.

-Melissa Fryer - The Nanaimo News Bulletin - March 8, 2007


"Musician Goes Acoustic or Plugged in - Myc Sharratt has Many Influences"

Born and raised in Nanaimo, Myc (sounds like 'Mike') Sharratt grew up with his parents record collection heavy on guitar-gods like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

This fertile ground led him to pick up the guitar at age 15 and begin writing original material at 16.

The similarities between Sharratt and John Mayer are unmistakable.

"I think he's the future of the style of music I want to listen to and obviously play....his new record is unbelievable," Sharratt says, taking no small amount of pride in the comparison. Also up there on the influence-meter is Dave Matthews.

When it comes to live icons he says, "The kind of energy flow that Eric Clapton has blows me away, he doesn't over-use the energy by flopping around on stage or anything like that."

"I would love to be an artist that people can identify as part of a timeline to their life," Sharratt says.

He's a gifted songwriter with a knack for catchy pop melodies inspired by personal experiences and sometimes those of his friends.

"I write constantly so the more I write the more my current songs change...it's like the songs grow up. I probably have half my next album written already."

These unreleased songs find their way into the live mix along with the older and current material.

Sharratt regularly sells out shows at local nightspots where he plays both solo acoustic and plugged in with a full band. Check out Sharratt playing solo and acoustic at the Old City Station Pub on Saturday night at 10pm.

These alternating live experiences laid the groundwork for a progression in Sharratt's sound. "I've been playing my live shows as part of a trio," he says. "When I first started playing my songs live, it was in a five piece format so the trio gives me a lot more room to breathe and appreciate the open space."

Sharratt is earning his stripes opening for acts like Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund and the Hurtin Albertans, and David Gogo as well as headlining well over 100 shows a year.

Bouyed by heavy touring, his first CD "Incomplete" sold around 1,000 copies. The follow up album "Blueprint" out this May, is close to breaking even. While he's quick to extol the virtues of solo acoustic performance, Sharratt admits to yearning to plug in the Fender Strat and deliver wailing blues guitar riffs. "I really wanted to make a live sounding record...I can really stretch out with the Strat. A little too much at times but that's what you get when you're playing with a bunch of Mal-U jazz guys," he says.

After playing around the Island since Blueprint's release, Sharratt looks forward to expanding his reach. "We're trying to put together a cross-Canada tour for March for Canadian Music Week," he says. His sights are also set on the indie taste-maker conference South-by-Southwest in Austin, TX.

"I'm mostly just gearing towards the tour. I think I'll probably go to the trio for the tour. I just want to play more guitar, stretch out a bit."



WITH MORE THAN A DECADE IN THE TRENCHES OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, WE'RE REASONABLY SURE ALEXANDRIA KNOWS WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT: e-mail at akstuart@shaw.ca
- Nanaimo Daily News Sept. 29 2006


"Local Singer's CD is a Gem"

There's always a moment of trepidation when you put in a new independent CD, a moment where you hold your breath, bracing for shaky vocals and hollow drums on a 4/4 rock beat. But when you get a little gem, something with solid songwriting that sounds like it could actually garner radio play, it makes taking a chance on an emerging artist al the more worthwhile.

The similarities between Myc Sharratt and John Mayer are unmistakable. " I think he's the future of the style of music I want to listen to and obviously play," Sharratt says, taking no small amount of pride in the comparison. Also up there on the influence-meter would be Dave Matthews and Eric Clapton. Like these writers, "I would love to be an artist that people can identify as part of a timeline to their life," he says.

Born and raised in Nanaimo, Sharratt grew up with his parents record collection, including guitar virtuosos Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This fertile ground led him to pick up the guitar at the age of 15 and begin writing original material at 16. "I have felt nurtured and appreciated as a new artist here in Nanaimo. It means the world to me that people have given my songs a place to live even if only for a little while," Sharratt says.

A five piece band weighted heavily with Mal-U Jazz program grads will back Sharratt live. "As a songwriter I feel a new sense of confidence playing with such a great band on stage with me," he says. "To be playing at the Queen's is a ton of fun for me...It's the best venue in town for live music."

Recorded just under a year ago, the CD Incomplete was released in Nov.2004. And with sales already at a break-even level, it's all gravy from here. The first six songs, plus the final instrumental track, were produced by Ryan Stewart and Andrew Babuin (formerly of Flannel Jimmy.) Stewart added extra instrumentation and recorded, mixed and mastered the album in North Van. These are professional sounding tracks with great pop hooks and radio-ready choruses. The rest of the disc, produced and recorded by Sharratt in Nanaimo, departs from this full sound. Simple acoustic guitar and processed vocals leave the latter part of the CD feeling watered down. The title track, a sort of audio love letter, is the exception - the sparse production really works here.
Thursday's show at the Queen's starts around 10pm. Tickets are $5 at the door.

- Alexandria Stuart - Harbour City Star - March 30, 2005


"Events Calendar"

Cut and print recommends if you're going to check out just one show this month, check out Sharratt. - Cut and Print June/July 2005


Discography

Blueprint 2006
Incomplete 2004

Photos

Bio

Myc Sharratt

Hide in the Light, the latest album from award-winning singer-songwriter Myc Sharratt, captures a feeling fit for a joyful journey home at summers end. The collection is a showcase of the intimate, more subtle side of Sharratt's vocal rarely revealed in the Vancouver Island product's first four independent albums. Beautifully woven ethereal sonic landscapes with lush electric guitars over dreamy beds of synthesizers are the backdrop for lyrical content touching on love, loss and regret. A hard-working man of the road Sharratt has crafted his live show through years of touring throughout Canada, USA and Ireland.