Join the adventure with Danny Michel

Go ahead and try to pin down Danny Michel as to what compartment or cubby hole of music he fits in. Some days, even he doesn’t know.

The troubadour, making his way to Donaleighs in downtown Barrie this week, tells BarrieToday he brands himself as “a bit of a musical chameleon. I've made albums that would fit into many different genres. Rock, folk, world music, and my latest project Khlebnikov had a lot of classical influence in the string parts.

“I like to be adventurous with music and continually try new things.”

In 2011, Danny’s spirit of adventure led him to Central America after coming under the influence of the music of Belize. That curiosity led him to track down the Afro-Amerindian cultural group, The Garifuna Collective, with whom he felt inspired into making an album.

“I made the Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me album with the Garifuna Collective in Belize and their influence can certainly be heard on that record."

(Incidentally, Khlebnikov  – released last year – was recorded aboard the Russian ice-breaker Kapitan Khlebnikov during an 18-day Arctic expedition through the northwest passage, at the behest of astronaut Chris Hadfield, along with scientists, photographers and other artists, to offer a unique perspective on the north)

Michel, originally from Waterloo, tells readers the art of the troubadour is not a lost one in Canada.

“Music is constantly changing, but there are still many great folk singers and storytellers (of varying ages) in Canada. Maybe troubadours in the traditional sense aren't as common, but stories are still being shared through song, just maybe in a different form sometimes.”

And Danny Michel is convinced the Canadian music scene is alive and thriving.

“For my series School Night Mondays (at Toronto’s Dakota Tavern), I have a Canadian artist as a special guest every week, so I'm always on the lookout for new music/musicians in that sense. There are so many talented people in this country. One of my favourite young artists is Skye Wallace,” he says of the brash, Toronto-based neo-folk artist.

The Donaleighs gig is high on Danny’s list.  

“It's great to play in an intimate atmosphere. I think I thrive in situations where I can interact and have fun with the audience.”

To interact back, circle this Thursday at 8 p.m. for Danny Michel at Donaleighs Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E. For more, click here.