NEWS: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald / Announces "YES" - A New Album & EP for 2012 & Spring Tour On Sale Now / Press Release

“Some musicians like to keep the spotlight to themselves, some like to share it with others, but Calgary native Michael Bernard Fitzgerald seems perfectly confident and successful at having it both ways.” – Jian Ghomeshi CBC Radio “Q” November, 2011

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Never a musician to do anything by a predictable route or by half measure, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF) returns in 2012 with the release of an EP and a full album, recorded in two countries and showcasing two distinct sides of this diverse artist.  Both entitled YES, “SIDE A” is a new full-length studio album recorded in Los Angeles with Jon Levine and Brian West (Nelly Furtado, K'naan). YES “SIDE A” was mixed by Brad Haehnel (Nelly Furtado, Dr. Dre) and is set to be released, via (Lazers and Danger/EMI) on April 24, 2012.

A lead single from the YES “SIDE A” album, Follow, a track MBF performed for the first time nationally on CBC Radio’s Q in November of 2011 will be available as a single on February 21, 2012.

YES “SIDE B – EP” is a 5-track EP recorded in Calgary and produced and mixed with longtime MBF collaborator, Russell Broom (Jann Arden). They are tracks that MBF felt comfortable chipping away at with a close confidante and live player who was already at home with MBF’s musical instincts. The YES “SIDE B – EP” will be released and on sale in conjunction with MBF’s upcoming national tour.

Michael’s 2012 Canadian tour officially kicks off on February 23 in Victoria with a very special live show planned for February 28 at the Jack Singer in MBF’s hometown of Calgary. Billed as an evening of adventure, the live show will feature a band of over 250 on stage with Michael including; a marching band, an orchestra and back up dancers.

YES will be the first new music from MBF since the release of 2009’s The mbf Love LP. Michael has hosted extraordinary shows and tours to support that record and established a name for himself, and his songwriting in the Canadian music landscape as a result. He assembled delightful, friend-filled, viral hit videos for album tracks, Care For You and Brand New Spaces and Movie Life. Michael rounded out 2010 and 2011 by playing select tours and summer festival gigs including the Canmore Folk Festival, Regina Folk Festival, Saskatoon Wakefest, North Country Fair, XFest (Calgary). His February 2011 tour sold out shows in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.  All upcoming 2012 tour dates noted below and are on sale now. More details are always available at: www.ilovembf.com/

MICHAEL BERNARD FITZGERALD / 2012 SPRING TOUR

February 23 – Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar

February 24 – Vancouver, BC – Performance Works

February 25 – Kelowna, BC – Steaming Café

February 28 – Calgary AB – Jack Singer Concert Hall

March 1 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite

March 2 – Regina, SK – The Exchange

March 5 – Sault Ste Marie, ON – Lop Lops

March 6 – Hamilton, ON – TwentyForty

March 7 – Oakville, ON – The Marquee

March 8 – London, ON – Forewell Hall –Fanshawe

March 9 – London, ON – Forewell Hall – Fanshawe

March 10 – Toronto, ON – Rivoli

March 14 – Antigonish, NS – Golden X Inn

March 15 – Halifax, NS – The Grawood

March 16 – Charlottetown, PEI – The Wave

March 17 – Fredericton, NB – Capitol

March 22-24 – Toronto, ON - *CMF

March 29 – Sault Ste Marie, ON – Lop Lops

March 31 – Winnipeg, MB – The Lo Pub