It’s a Friday night, a few weeks after interviewing Lynchburg-based singer/songwriter/musician Michael Chagnon, when I receive an excited text message from him stating that the next morning he’s going to be playing a show at 11 A.M. in Roanoke for "City Market Saturdays”, and that he’ll be home in time for dinner, which is a rarity for him that he’s grateful for.  Generally, Michael is on the road five days a week, touring Virginia and the East Coast with best friend, roommate, and musician Geoff Osborne.  They play at any venue that will let them, from small hole-in-the-wall bars to private events, to festivals and gigs like City Market Saturdays, and once even played on a ferry.

Not that he’s complaining about not being able to be home for dinner five days out of the week.  Michael and Geoff are so dedicated to their live shows that they usually play about three hour sets without even taking a break. Occasionally, one will give the other a fifteen minute break by playing solo songs, but for the most part, the two play straight through a gig without stopping.  “We just power through our set.  We figured it was like working any shift at any job.  You work straight through,” says Michael, who attended Lynchburg College and now tours full time for a living.  He and Geoff rented a house in Lynchburg’s historic area on Rivermont Avenue, where they turned their basement into a recording studio and literally began “living” in their music, recording all their own songs there, including their first EP together set for release in August.  In 2010, Michael had played a total of 70 shows, and so far in 2011, he’s played 60 and has at least 30 left.

Music has been following Michael around since he was a young child, and his musical quest began at the age of twelve when he watched A Hard Day’s Night for the first time.  Although he had played the violin and some brass instruments in elementary school, it wasn’t until he watched A Hard Day’s Night that he realized what he wanted to do when he grew up.  After pestering his parents to buy him a guitar, they finally gave in, and his dad bought him his first guitar when Michael was in the eigth grade.  Although he never received any formal guitar lessons, his previous experience playing the violin and brass instruments had helped him develop an ear for music and he quickly figured out how to play the guitar.  He started out by playing Weezer songs, and after he had been playing for two or three years, he took some lessons from a blues guitar player.

Even though he had some lessons from a blues guitarist, it’s difficult to place Michael’s music into one specific genre.  “We can’t find a genre we fit in,” says Michael.  He says they’ve been called hillbilly punk, indie, and been compared to anyone from the Everly Brothers to the Beatles.  Listening to both old and new songs by Michael, you can hear a variety of different sounds and influences.  On the new album he just finished recording with Geoff Osbourne, they brought in a wide array of instrumentalists, incorporating mandolin, harmonica, rock bass, and even a banjo player.  Also featured is an organist, a tambourine player, and a guest drummer for the recording of the EP.  They’re currently on the lookout for a versatile drummer who can pick up their eclectic sound and also go on tour to support their new record.

On both old and new material alike, there’s a crafty, thoughtful and deliberate blend of styles and sounds.  While one song may sound simpler and be acoustic, the next song may have a heavier sound from an electric guitar.  No matter what instruments are used, the songs have an unmistakable Beatles sound when it comes to harmonies.  Almost every song on the new album that Michael and Geoff recently recorded is full of harmonies, and the two receive tons of compliments from audiences about their vocals.  “I really love melody and good song structure,” he says.

It’s been an interesting road leading up to this new, polished EP (of which Michael and Geoff have yet to reveal a title).  After learning to play the guitar, Michael played through high school and eventually formed a band that would end up giving Michael his first taste of success as a musician.  During the summer following tenth grade, Michael was on the phone with a friend when he heard his band’s song “Gwynneth” being played on MTV’s reality show Fat Camp.  Michael had sent the song to MTV when the network was looking for songs from independent musicians and gave them licensing to use the song.  MTV had the licensing to use the song pretty much anywhere, so it was completely serendipitous that Michael happened to have on the television when the song was being used.

Doors would only continue to open for Michael.  His high school “garage band” went their separate ways when they went to college, but Michael didn’t stop playing.  In 2007, Michael went on a month-long tour along the East Coast and took a break in 2008 to rejuvenate and rebuild.  He soon met Geoff at a CD release party held at the Lynchburg coffee shop The Drowsy Poet when Geoff approached him and thanked Michael for putting his music out there, and Michael and Geoff have been playing together ever since.  Between 2009 and now, they’ve been touring full-time, creating new energy and figuring out how to adjust their sound for each venue.  Michael also says that they’ve learned to gauge an audience and feels that once they’ve perfected this, they can perfect their music.  Michael believes that learning about people is a way to learn what to play, and that the ear of the audience is what inspires him.

Over the next few years, Michael’s goal is to remain on the road, opening for larger venues and hopefully opening for bigger bands.  He also hopes to release an album once a year.  He says they’ll continue to play at any venue no matter how large or small, and that smaller venues often prove to offer the most supportive audiences.  Michael and his “collaborative counterpart”, which he calls Geoff, are the marketing force behind their large tours.  Michael handles the media and promotion while Geoff books all their shows, and the two are currently preparing to tour for their new EP.

The EP reflects experience that the two have gained along the way, and Michael says they’ve placed great focus on “getting the songs right,” and says that the energy is different.  While their sound used to be “more grungy,” the newer songs have a bit more of a pop sound and are a bit more mainstream.  Even though they’ve experimented with some different sounds by including more instruments and experimenting stylistically with their writing, there is an incredible consistency in the vocals.  One thing that has remained the same throughout Michael’s music career is that his voice is an interesting variety of different tones that can pleasantly surprise you, and Michael’s catchy, clever lyrics easily get stuck in your head.  In some of his songs, his voice is teetering at the edge of a raw sound that’s ready to explode, leading you to the edge and making you want to hear him go all the way with it, and his lyrics, although simple, are catchy and sometimes purposefully convoluted.  He doesn’t like to give away too much about a song’s meaning so that the song can remain relevant, as he believes that great songs remain relevant for that reason.

The road has not only provided him with the ability to turn his passion into a full-time job but has also led to lasting friendships and memories that he’ll carry forever.  Not only does Michael touch people with his music and put on a great show, he also has a sincerity to him that is so obvious that it saves him from ever having to stay in a hotel while touring.  “We’ve never had to pay for a hotel room,” he says, explaining that he’s been able to meet so many people on the road that wherever he goes there are friends opening their homes to him. Recently while on tour, he was asked to be the best man in one of those friends' wedding, and he felt extremely honored.  This is just one example of the things that motivates Michael to continue on.

As for inspiration, Michael doesn’t have to go far ... mentally, that is.  He says that being on the road provides him with plenty of inspiration from the powerful “sensory impact” of touring.  He often feels like there’s so much to write about that he can’t even get it all out of him until he gets home - which for Michael, is hopefully by dinner time.

To hear Michael’s music and check tour dates, visit MichaelChagnon.com.

By Director, Team Coordinator and Correspondent: Desiree Baughman

When Desiree was five, she attempted to write her first poem, and has been writing feverishly ever since. Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana and currently residing in Central Virginia, Desiree is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant, and owns a digital marketing agency, Rock.Paper.Web Studios, as well as an insurance content writing website, InsuranceInkwell.com.  Desiree attended Sweet Briar College, and in 2003, her first poetry book, 'Sensibly Lacking Roses' was published.  Desiree loves the theatre as well, and has enjoyed time both on and off the stage, and also regularly works with film productions, in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes.  She has been a longtime advocate for arts education, and is an active volunteer for Americans for the Arts. When she's not working, she loves being a 'dog mommy' to her incredibly smart, sweet, and beautiful Pekingese, 'Matilda Ming', listening to sad indie music, and reading, especially sad memoirs. Although Desiree's musical ability has never extended past musical theatre, she is a fan of music, particularly rock, and is hoping to help Central Virginia continue to cultivate a thriving local music scene.