Spotlight On JASON MICHAS

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Jason Michas

Self described as "quirky cinematic art pop", Jason Michas is busy bending the rules.

Ode to a Dead Bird is the title of Michas' debut solo album which pits deep, lush, orchestral textures against dirgey beats and pulsing rhythms.

The culmination of his varied musical background and the collaboration with some of Vancouver’s most accomplished and creative musicians, Ode to a Dead Bird was produced along with Michas by Juno Award winner Jesse Zubot of the popular Canadian roots group Zubot and Dawson.

On the album Michas has indulged many a creative fancy, from setting a Thomas Hardy poem to music in almost 19th Century Lied like form to composing angular Pop tunes like the Reggaefied “Salmon Pie Lullaby” with samples by Zubot that sound something like a cow gone snorkeling. Michas even tops the album off with a credible and emotive rendition of Cole Porter’s Every Time We Say Goodbye.

All this is coupled with Michas’ songbird voice and darkly clever lyrics that forgo clichés, resulting in a pleasant anomaly and an album nominated for a 2002 West Coast Music Award.

“Comes across less as a typical singer-songwriter than as a poet who happens to possess a lovely, expressive voice…surprisingly moving…” –GEORGIA STRAIGHT

“Michas is flamboyant and eclectic a la Hawksley Workman.” (Three and half stars out of five) – THE PROVINCE