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Speak Up

Mike Biggar has the air of someone who simply wants to make people happy.

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Mike Biggar

Dropping by the NB Beat home offices earlier this week the Saint John based singer/songwriter is all smiles, handshakes and laughs. He's a genuinely nice fellow whose musical career has ramped up considerably after taking a detour from the faith-based music of his past to his roots-inspired Big Breakfast Special EP of secular music released earlier this year.

Biggar turns interview questions into hilarious stream of consciousness humour. Veering in and out of topic he has the ability to discuss the spiritual element of his music followed by a non-sequitur about his thought process sounding something like sneakers in the dryer. What's notable is that he's equally sincere in either conversation. Perhaps that's what makes him one of New Brunswick's more engaging and up and coming entertainers.

He's currently riding a wave that has seen his presence on the local music scene in and around Saint john expand since he decided to record three songs for the CBC Rising Star contest.

"We wanted to get into that contest so we recorded three songs. Unfortunately we weren't chosen as finalists but at least I had some songs in the can. We figured we'd add another two and we'd have an EP ready to go."

Biggar has been using the EP as a calling card to attract interest from venue owners and festival organizers, Since launching the project in January, Biggar has also been attracting a growing following as a live attraction. He's been hosting Hampton's Vintage Bistro's Sing it and Wing it series on Wednesday nights and along with his manager Jeff Liberty has been looking for new and unique opportunities to play his music.

"I decided to hunker down and take on the Sing it and Wing it events. We knew it would start to grow and that's what's happening now. We've got some talented teenagers who come with original material as well as some baby boomers who have had the fire rekindled. Vintage is a great venue but it's getting harder and harder to find other places to play these days. Now we are sort of looking at creating our own venues by pairing up live music in places that never had it before. We contacted Liz at Urban Deli in Saint John and asked if she had ever considered music at her restaurant. She said she had so last Saturday I was the first live act there. It looks like people had a good time and lots of food and suds were coming out of the kitchen so I'd say it was a success. It's fun, it's like we are inventing a scene."

In fact, with the music industry and the economy in such dire straights, Biggar sees this as a time of opportunity for an act of his stature.

"Nobody knows what to do, record companies are failing, nobody buys singles anymore and there are no more 'stars.' I think we're going to see the emergence of regional successes. We're doing this kind of old school. I think that local artists like myself have the opportunity to make careers for themselves. We are going to be the only artists playing in your city and we're local. It's like the 100 mile diet."

Biggar's debut EP features five original blues- and roots-based compositions that showcase a talent for heartfelt songwriting. The songs are well composed and reflect on Biggar's journey away from his roots as a contemporary Christian musician. He notes that the move hasn't changed much about his songwriting and that religious or not, his music has always been about being honest to his emotions.

"Music has always held a spiritual and divine element for me, it's very inspiring. It's something that brings joy to people's lives. It's never about the mission of writing a song or playing a show, it's about the experience. I've learned enough about myself as a musician that once you flex those muscles you kind of want to keep exploring and see what's around the next corner."

Mike Biggar will be looking around a lot of corners over the coming months. Along with his regular gig at the Vintage, he's got work coming up with Heckman and Downes, will appear on a Christmas benefit disc and also has opening gigs with indie darlings the Sun Parkour Players and Astrid Young (yes, Neil's sister). He'll also be working with Jay Semko (Northern Pikes) and has a unique Everly Brothers tribute with New Brunswick's singin' Mountie Jim Hadley.

You can learn more about Mike Biggar at his Reverb Nation page. Mike Biggar's Big Breakfast Special is available at Backstreet Records in Saint john and Fredericton. The Vintage Bistro in Hampton, Urban Deli in Saint John and as always, off of the stage at his live shows.

If your NB based musical act, event or venue would like to be featured in this column please contact the columnist at oneyearofnbmusic@yahoo.ca