It’s always an absolute delight to share our occasional series of mini-gigs with AUK readers. Since the early days of the pandemic, we used these special, intimate performances to sustain the connection between talented artists who thrive on putting on live shows with audiences of music-lovers. Although the world has opened up again, these stripped-back performances have continued to engage us with music in intimate settings that we may not otherwise be exposed to. This time, it’s the turn of Fritz Michel, who has recorded three lovely songs for us to enjoy. Ably supported by Tosh Sheridan, Michel combines the warmth of his acoustic guitar with a timeless and pure vocal. The end result is a captivating sequence of performances recorded at One Soul Studios in New York.
The songs are taken from Michel’s brand new EP, ‘On the Rocks’, which was released today, 17th June 2022. On the EP, the songs are rich and full and it’s intriguing to contrast them with the more spare, acoustic versions we have shared here. Born in France but now based in New York, Fritz Michel is multi-talented, embracing various creative arts during his career, including acting on the stage and in film and television. Now he’s turned his hand to making music and ‘On the Rocks’ is his debut release. During the pandemic, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, piano) found himself writing music as a form of solace and respite. Michel explains: “I took up song-writing during the pandemic, and while it all kind of clicked with me, it was also born out of necessity. I’ve been playing in bands for a few years now, but that came to a halt with the onslaught of Covid. That was when I decided that I ought to really concentrate on writing songs and pursuing this new muse. I feel more than fortunate to create something that people might relate to, and help me grow as an artist at the same time.” He reflects: “This is a dark and uncertain time. We can all benefit from a little humour and a bit of levity. That’s what I was trying to filter into these songs.”
Michel’s sound blends intelligent pop and folk-rock, with engaging melodies and clear vocals. So far, his single releases have been streamed thousands of times on YouTube and Spotify thanks to his accessible, catchy style. On playing live and the future, he shares: “I’m finding my way back to performing. I really love playing live because that’s really where it’s at for me. It’s like putting on a play. You build on a premise, create a narrative, and then attempt to win over your audience with your ideas and invention. My journey has always been about the more people I can meet. Everyone teaches you something, and I think that’s an important lesson to impart.” Enjoy the mini-gig and then check out the EP, which features five appealing new songs.
