Ontario Festival of Small Halls Presents: Danny Michel

Event Description

The only good thing about not shopping in record stores like we used to is that you don’t have to figure out what genre to look for Danny under. If that were the case, you could try searching under rock, pop, folk, world, or even classical. His own self-described musical A.D.D. has kept his music fresh for decades. Maybe it has something to do with being born next to a candy factory, but his thoughtful lyrics and charming performances have earned him a devoted fan base, multiple Juno nominations, Polaris Prize nominations, CBC’s Heart of Gold award, and wins for the CFMA’s Producer of the Year and Oliver Schroder Pushing the Boundaries awards.
His adventurous musical spirit has led him on unique journeys, from recording and touring with The Garifuna Collective (from Belize) to recording an album aboard a Soviet-era icebreaker in the Arctic while on an expedition with astronaut Chris Hadfield. Albums like Matadora and Khlebnikov explore themes of human connection, the environment, and the cosmos.
Beyond music, Danny is passionate about social causes. He founded the DM Ocean Academy Fund to support a non-profit high school in Belize. His charm, creative performances, and wide-ranging interests have made him a beloved figure not only in music but also in charitable and environmental circles. This has led to unique performances, including playing at Jane Goodall’s 85th birthday, David Suzuki’s 75th, and touring with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe.
His latest album, Ghost Town, is a deeply personal and vulnerable collection of songs born from the pandemic, showcasing his most introspective work to date.