News & Gigs

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Second Take is now available for purchase from Zulu Records and The Magic Flute in Vancouver, CD Baby and from this website.

"...as one song led to another I was somehow captivated. Vocally, Davidson smashes current singing conventions...this is the stuff cult faves are made of"
John P. McLaughlin The Province

"The disc, which combines elements of classical, rock, jazz and folk music features Davidson's airy and angelic voice and piano playing complemented by guitarist Elijah Bak, standup bass player Bernie Addington and drummer Loren Davidson."
Dan Hilborn Burnaby Now

"Miriam Davidson can't be compared to anybody. She's uniquely Canadian with elements of folk, cabaret, jazz, classical and rock. Appearing with her band, Miriam delivers a set of tunes that are enchanting and guaranteed to resonate with their slightly skewed beauty."
John Pippus Singer/songwriter and promoter

June 16/09
Come to Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen Chinese Garden (578 Carrall Street) this Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and celebrate the Summer Solstice with my women's choir The Real Treble Makers. Ensemble Etoile, conducted by Roseanna Chu, will be performing first and then we will take the stage with piece by Vancouver composers Ramona Luengen, Dianne Loomer and Stephen Chatman as well as folk songs and even a madrigal from the 17th century. This is a rare opportunity to hear two of Vancouver's premiere womens' choirs in one of the most beautiful settings in Vancouver.

March 15/09
This Saturday, March 21 is a music filled day with two gigs. The first one is at the all ages Strathcona Spring Fair at McLean Park in Vancouver. I'll be starting off the entertainment with a 30 minute set of my originals including a brand new one about my little man! Also on the bill are Earle Peach and Albert Klaussen, Dalannah Gail Bowen, Pancho and Sal, Michelle Dumond, Bob Cole and Ryan McBeth, Kat Gillis, Ranj Singh and Scott Cook. There will be a community potluck, a bake sale, craft sale, raffle and fibre art demos. All proceeds go to support the Strathcona Community Centre and the Second Annual Strathcona Harvest Festival. Later that night at 8 p.m., don't miss Laudate Singers Voice of the Tango concert at St. David's in the Wood in West Vancouver. If you can't make that one, we're doing the same program on Tues., March 24 at 8 p.m. at Capilano University Theatre.

February 19/09
I have neglected my website lately but of course, that's better than neglecting a very busy baby. Daniel is a growing bundle of joy and we couldn't be happier. He's so full of love and smiles. Yes, parenthood agrees with me!

Despite a looming recession, we had a gig filled December and we're looking forward to more gigs in 2009. Laudate Singers next concerts will be Voices of the Tango on Sat., March 21 at St. David's in the Wood in West Vancouver and on Tues., March 24 at Capilano University Theatre. We are bringing a world class bandeon and a guitar player for the events. It is one of the most exciting concerts we've ever put on. I will also have some spring and summer gigs since I'm getting back into writing and performing my music after my year "maternity leave". I'll keep you posted. Until next time.

June 4/08
What a year this has been! My husband Elijah and I are the proud parents of the most happy, smiley little boy in the world. His name is Daniel. As all new parents know, you have virtually no time for anything except baby and getting household chores done when the baby is sleeping (rare). I also teach part-time so for obvious reasons, I haven't had a lot of time to post anything. That doesn't mean that I'm knee deep in diapers though. I have been singing with the Laudate Singers and keeping up with teaching. I will post my own gigs as they come up and there should be a few this summer. I have been very selective about what I take on these days because Daniel will only be a baby once and I want to enjoy this time.

September 27/07
It's been a long time since I posted but I have a very good excuse. Elijah and I are expecting a baby in 2 weeks so I've spent much of the later part of the summer and early fall getting ready for the little one's arrival plus teaching and office temping full time. We don't know the gender but we will soon enough. If the baby is healthy and happy, we'll be pleased. I'll be doing some Christmas gigs and keeping up with teaching but I don't think that I'll be performing my original music until the new year. New life has been inspiring new music so I'll have plenty of tunes to play at Trees, The Main, Blim and at various other gigs in January 2008.

Japanese Cowboy (the Ween tribute band) hit the road this summer for some wild and very fun shows in Golden, Canmore, Calgary and Victoria. Our next show is on Nov. 2 at the Backstage Lounge where we're playing a tribute to Pink Floyd with Les Violents Femmes. We're playing Echoes. I probably won't be doing the gig considering that I'll have given birth 1 to 3 weeks before the show. Unless the delivery is really easy, that's a little too close to D-Day. Brad Sweder will fill in for me instead.

I'll post after the latest addition to the band arrives!

July 11/07
I hope that everyone is surviving in the heat. I quite enjoy it but I think that I belong in a warm climate.

Our next gig is on Sat., July 28, 8-11 p.m. at Blim which is a very funky space that caters to visual artists, dancers and musicians of all genres. Blim was voted best “Low profile event space” in Vancouver Magazine, as well as “Best Innovative Arts Space” in the Terminal City. It just recently got voted “Best Place to Whip up some Art” in the Georgia Straight. The address is 197 East 17th Ave. (@ Main St.), Vancouver.

I'll be playing piano and singing - my own tunes of course. Joining me will be Elijah Bak on guitar and possibly Julie Nishi on harmony vocals. She just had a baby so we'll see how she and the little one are. Our congratulations to her and her partner. Also on the bill is the beautiful Soressa Gardner. She combines songwriting with elements of electronic music composition and improvisation. She was recently Artist in Residence at Co-op Radio and her compositions have been aired on community and college radio. She is a member of the improvising band Helsinki 8 and interdisciplinary performance group BODAC. She is currently completing a music degree at Vancouver Community College. At Blim she will perform with guitarist Noel Roy and pianist Cat Toren.

We hope to see you there!

May 29/07
We're busy getting ready for the gig at The Main (4210 Main St.) on Thurs., June 7 at 9:30 p.m. Country/rock band Red Silo will start things off and then I'll take over with my band. I've got some new tunes so I'm very excited to perform them.

Reimut Lieder took some new photos which are now up on the website. Hey, I've got to show off my multi-coloured hair.

May 3/07
Yikes, it's been a little while since I've posted news. That means that things have been really busy with teaching and Laudate Singers gigs. We recorded a CD, were a part of the Wintersong Festival, did a concert featuring Canadian choral music and we're preparing for a children's choral music educational concert.

My next gig is on Thurs., June 7 at 9:30 p.m. at The Main (4210 Main St.) in Vancouver. Joining me will be Elijah on guitar, Loren Davidson on drums and Debbie Bisgaard and Julie Nishi on harmony vocals. I'm playing piano and singing, of course. Elijah Bak will be doing a set of his country/folk originals mixed in with all kinds of cool cover tunes.

I just had some new photos taken so the website will look different in a week or two. Change is always good and in this case, I think it's for the better.

January 2/07
Happy New Year and belated Happy Holidays to everyone! It was an eventful December full of gigs. It was easily the busiest season yet for Christmas caroling. I'm very lucky to work with such lovely singers. Every year, the skill level and musicality just gets better and better.

I'm starting off 2007 at Trees Organic Coffee House (450 Granville St.) on Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. I'll be playing piano and singing my own tunes of course. Elijah Bak will add some tasty guitar and my harmony singers Kathleen Cauley and Debbie Bisgaard will add their vocal sweetness to the mix. Also on the bill are a rock band called Slytone. Between the two bands, it should be a terrific mix of music. For more information, visit John Pippus' MySpace page. See you at the show!

October 31/06
Happy Halloween! Thank you to everyone who came out to the show at The Main two weeks ago. Elijah played lots of Hank Williams I, II and III, some Cash and a few originals. Debbie, Kathleen and I then came onto the stage and finished the night with my music from Second Take and some newer songs. Having the gals singing harmonies is changing the way I write. I seem to be writing music that features them more so I think that there will be more vocal harmonies on the next album.

December is coming and that means that I'm going into "seasonal music mode". In other words, I'll be singing Christmas music for the next little while but I'll still keep posting on any new gigs that come up.

October 4/06
The next show is on Thurs., Oct. 19 at The Main (4210 Main St.), Vancouver. Elijah Bak will start the night off with a set of his music followed by my lovely band. This of course means Elijah on guitar/effects, Julie, Kathleen and Debbie on harmony vocals and me on vocals and piano. The band has never sounded better so come on down at 9 p.m. See you there!

September 12/06
After a busy summer of gigs, odd jobs and road trips, I'm back in full swing with teaching and performing. I'm doing a concert later this month at the Chan Studio Theatre at UBC with the VICO. VICO stands for the Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra. Laudate Singers is the "choir in residence". The concert is Inter-Culturealistic on Saturday, September 30 2006, 7:30pm Telus Studio Theatre, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver. It's a group unlike anything you've ever heard. The orchestra consists of typical Western instruments along with traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern instruments. See you there!

August 9/06
Come down to the Purple Crab (3916 Main Street) on Fri., Aug. 11 at 9:00 p.m. Elijah is going to play some brand new acoustic country/bluegrass tunes. Of course, I'm playing keys on a few songs. We'll then switch singers and writers and I'll play a set of my music featuring my lovely singers and Elijah on guitar. It will be a sweet evening of music!

July 30/06
Thank you to everyone who came out to the gigs last week at West Richmond Community Centre and at Trees Organic Coffee House. It was the debut of my beautiful harmony singers. I'm so excited about the direction that we're taking musically. I'm finding that since they kindly agreed to be part of the music, I'm writing more songs and parts that feature harmony vocals. I think that every gig we do from now on will feature the singers to some degree.

And speaking of gigs, our next two are at The Purple Crab on Friday, August 11 at 9:00 p.m. The Purple Crab is located at 3916 Main Street in Vancouver. We will be at Concerts In The Park again on Tuesday, August 22nd, 6:30 p.m. at Cambie Community Centre, located at 4111 Jacombs Road in Richmond. Of course, both gigs will consist of me playing piano and singing, Elijah on guitar and Debbie Bisgaard, Julie Nishi and Kathleen Cauley on harmony vocals.

See you in August!

June 29/06
July is almost here along with lots of gigs, back up vocalists in the band and a heat wave. Come and celebrate Canada Day this Saturday with us at Kensington Community Centre, located at 5175 Dumfries Street (E. 37th Ave. & Knight). I'm doing two sets of my music at 1:30 and again at 2:30. Elijah is playing guitar. Later, on July 26 at 6:30 p.m., I'm playing at the Concerts In The Park series at West Richmond Community Centre, located at 9180 No. 1 Rd. On July 28 at 8 p.m., I will be at Tree's Lounge at 450 Granville St. I will have the lovely new back up vocalists Julie Nishi and Debbie Bisgaard for the Concerts In The Park and the Tree's Lounge gigs. The sound of the band just keeps getting sweeter.

See you on Saturday! Happy Canada Day!

May 24/06
I just spent a beautiful and strangely dry weekend on Long Beach on the West Coast. No, I haven't yet written a second part to Long Beach but it's probably coming soon.

I will be performing next at Celebrate Mount Pleasant on Sat., June 3rd, located at East 8th and Guelph, near Kingsway and Broadway. It is great community festival. Starting at 1:30 p.m., my two childrens' choirs will be singing as well as my lovely Mount Pleasant Women's Choir. All three choirs will even sing together for two songs. One of my private students from Mount Pleasant Community Centre, Jaclyn Barkase, will be singing one song. I'm playing a set of my own songs from 2:45 p.m. until 3 p.m. Great music is happening rain or shine so come on down.

May 2/06
Spring is here! I hope that everyone is doing well. I have had a very busy few weeks with concerts and rehearsals. Laudate Singers just did the final concert of the season featuring music from Scandanavia. Guest conductor, Kari Turunen came here from Finland to conduct the concert. What an experience! Our Finnish has never sounded so good.

I am in the middle of planning a tour of Vancouver Island and later the Interior of BC for this summer. I will go solo with my brand new tunes and songs from the CD for this one. Also, my Ween cover band Japanese Cowboy will be rolling into Logan's in Victoria on Saturday, May 13. Either way, I'll definitely see you on Vancouver Island at least once or twice this spring.

February 20/06
I hope that everyone is having a good start to the year. My apologies for not posting for awhile. I started off the New Year with some nasty computer woes that resulted in losing everything on my hard drive. Yes, yes, I know I should have done a back up.

Thankfully, I have plenty of music events happening. My chamber choir Laudate Singers is doing a concert of Bach cantatas and some really beautiful pieces from the Baroque period with members of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra at West Vancouver United on Sat., Feb. 25th at 8 p.m. We've already had a gig this month when we were a featured choir at the Winter Song Festival.

Japanese Cowboy just played our last show in Vancouver at the Lamplighter on Feb. 3. We have formed an original music side project called Dizpatcher. We're playing our first official show at The Media Club on Thurs., March 23rd.

As for my music, I've been doing a lot of writing so there will be some new songs at the next show. I even set a poem by I even set a poem by Spanish poet Juan Ramon Jimenez. I don't actually speak Spanish but it's a such a beautiful poem that I had to do something with it. I will be adding a harmony vocalist to my live act and I will be playing more acoustic shows with the new vocalist, keys and guitar. As you can probably tell from my music, I'm interested in sonic colour and texture.

December 30/05
My last post of the year! Happy New Year to everyone and all the best in 2006. To start 2006 properly, come to The Main (4210 Main St.) on Thurs., Jan. 12th. Elijah and I will be playing this show together as a duo. He'll do some of his beautifully trippy guitar stuff while I'll play keys and sing. We'll be doing some brand new songs as well so you don't want to miss this one. We'll go on at around 9:30 p.m. See you there!

Jonathan Adler took some great live shots of us at the Media Club a couple of weeks ago. Click here to see them.

December 2/05
This month has a scary amount of gigs! My lovely band is playing the Emergenza Festival on Sun., Dec. 11th at the Media Club (695 Cambie St.). We go on at 8:30 p.m. Be there.

The rest of the month consists of a lot caroling gigs all over the place. You'll see or hear me singing on the carol ship the Pride of Vancouver, outdoors in Langley, Lonsdale Quay and a whole assortment of places. I'm also singing Handel's Messiah at the Orpheum with the Laudate Singers and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

I'll try to post as often as I can but in case I don't get a chance to do so before Christmas, happy holidays to everyone!

October 27/05
I've just been booked to play at the Emergenza Festival on Sun., Dec. 11th at the Media Club in Vancouver. We go on at 8:30 p.m. so get there early. There will be lots of bands playing that night so it should be a fun night of music.

Japanese Cowboy is riding into Logan's in Victoria on Sat., Nov. 5 for a four hour Ween orgy. We had an amazing show the last time we played there so if you're in Victoria, you'll want to check this one out. We are also playing at the Brickyard in Vancouver on Weds., Nov. 23.

My chamber choir, Laudate Singers is busy this fall. We are going Celtic with a concert called Winter Light on Sat., Nov. 26, baroque with Messiah with the Vancouver Chamber Choir on Dec. 9 and 10 and goofy with a free children's concert on Sun., Dec. 18.

All in all, things are good and busy!

September 13/05
Thank you to eveyone for coming out to the gig at The Sugar Suite Cafe last week. Although I missed my band, everyone still had a good time. Reimut Lieder took some photos which are now posted in the photo gallery.

Japanese Cowboy had a very fun and successful mini-tour of BC and Alberta. Our vehicle broke down outside Salmon Arm, 4 hours before we were supposed to be in Golden to play a show. Golden is 2.5 hours from Salmon Arm. The folks in Golden wanted us to play so badly that they begged us to get there anyway we could, including shaking our booties on the highway. We eventually found a guy named Don to tow us and our trailer through Roger's Pass and into Golden just in time for the show. We retrieved the fixed car the next day in Salmon Arm and then continued onto Calgary. That mishap aside, things went really well. And that's how I spent my summer vacation.

I'm now getting ready for a great season of teaching, singing, playing and who knows what else. Keep checking the website for news

August 14/05
Thank you for coming to hear us at The Main last Thursday. Carrie Horachek was great. Check out her CD on her website.

I'm flying solo for the next gig on Weds., Sept. 7 at Sugar Suite, located at 3050 Mountain Hwy., North Vancouver, (at the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Hwy.). Sugar Suite is a very nice cafe in Lynn Valley. I'm singing there from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. We'll see you there!

August 7/05
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Brickyard last night for the Japanese Cowboy show. The next show at The Main on Thursday, August 11th will be a little different since we will be playing my songs from the CD plus at least two brand new songs. No Ween this time. We're really looking forward to sharing the evening with Victoria singer/songwriter Carrie Horachek. See you at The Main on Thursday!

August 3/05
What a summer now that it's here! There are gigs and a tour happening so read on.

Japanese Cowboy is playing on Sat., August 6 at The Brickyard (315 Carrall St.) with special guests, The Belushis. Doors at 8:30, show at 9:30.

On Thurs., August 11, I will be playing with my lovely band at The Main (4210 Main St.) with Carrie Horachek from Victoria. Come for the music and the very good Greek food.

Then we have a three city tour for Japanese Cowboy at the end of August. Here's the itinery:

The Roadhouse Tavern - Golden, BC
Broken City Social Club - Calgary, AB
The Downstream Bar - Jasper, AB

It will be an "interesting" vacation.

June 2/05
Thank you to everyone who came out to the CD Release Party at the Cottage Bistro on Tuesday night. Elijah's band Red Silo rocked the place and then my band rocked the place some more. Actually, it was more like the same band. Loren, Elijah and I all play in both my band, Red Silo AND Japanese Cowboy, proving (in case any doubt remained) that nepotism is alive and well in Vancouver. We used different bass players though. Special thank you to Jeremiah Shee for mightily filling Bernie's shoes on bass. It was his first gig with us and the CD release party no less. No pressure.

Japanese Cowboy is coming over to Victoria on Sat., June 11 to play at Logan's Landing, located at 1821 Cook Street. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. If you're a Ween fan and you're in Victoria, be there!

May 3/05
CD RELEASE PARTY - MAY 31ST
The official CD release party for Second Take is happening on Tues., May 31st at the Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street in Vancouver. We're going on at around 8:30 and then, Elijah Bak will take over the stage with his side project. Admission is by donation, the food is excellent and it's the perfect venue for us so come on down.

See you on May 31st!

March 8/05
Thank you to everyone who came out to all of the shows in February. My fine band (my own music not Ween's) are playing next on Fri., March 18 at the Adonai (303 Columbia) in Vancouver.

Two days later on Sun., March 20, two of my choirs - the Mount Pleasant Women's Choir and the Young Voices Choir are putting on a free community concert at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce St.) in Vancouver from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

In other non-music news, I am running my first half marathon for the Canadian Diabetes Association in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 20/05. I'm doing this for a number of reasons. It's for a good cause, type 2 diabetes runs in my family, I need to keep in shape. Besides, I'm a pretty good cyclist but a very bad runner. I have committed to raise $6000.00 so if you're interested in donating, please e-mail me and I'll be happy to give you more information. You can also visit www.teamdiabetes.ca.

February 1/05
February is one busy month for shows. I am playing a solo gig at the Gallery Lounge in the SUB at UBC on Thurs., Feb. 3. It's a female singer/songwriter evening and the cover is only $2 so come out. It's cheaper than bus fare and you get to hear some good music.

On Fri., Feb. 11, I'm playing with my fine band at The Waldorf (1489 East Hastings). Also on the bill will be Scenery and "special guests". You'll see!

One week later, Japanese Cowboy are playing a 4 hour Ween extravaganza at the Pic Pub (622 W. Pender St., Vancouver) on Fri., Feb. 18

My chamber choir, Laudate Singers are doing a concert of voice and organ with organist Denis Bedard at West Vancouver United Church on Sat., Feb. 26 at 8 p.m.

We hope to see you all sometime this month!

January 7/05
Happy New Year to everyone! First of all, thank you to everyone for making the month of December so successful. The singers in my caroling group Caminando were amazing and probably the hardest working folks in show business - at least for December.

Please come out to the Pic Pub (622 W. Pender St., Vancouver) on Sat., Jan. 8th for a worthy and timely cause. Japanese Cowboy will be playing at BAND AID - A Tsunami Relief Effort at 11:00 p.m. We're part of a weekend long marathon at the Pic Pub. There will be bands playing from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday. Cover charge by donation. All proceeds go to the Red Cross and World Vision. For more details go to www.spmmusic.biz or call 604-322-0102.

On Jan. 22, 2005 I will be playing songs from the Second Take as well as some brand new songs at the Gallery Lounge at UBC, Vancouver. Elijah Bak will join me on bass.

December 9/04
Happy Holidays to everyone! 'Tis the season to be busy! My caroling group, Caminando is so busy that we are now turning down gigs. We are singing at the Bay Downtown in Vancouver, Richmond Centre in Richmond, Oakridge Mall in Vancouver plus various private functions. Last weekend, we performed in Downtown Langley and at Granville Island to enthusiastic if rather damp crowds.

I am delighted to have Elijah Bak as my manager. He is now doing all of promotions related to my original music as well as promoting the new CD Second Take.

November 14/04
The site has just been revamped thanks to Harvey Dueck. We've posted some photos from the Harmony Arts Festival where I played a solo show in September.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Japanese Cowboy Halloween bonanza at the W.I.S.E. Hall. It was one of the best shows we've ever played.

I'm getting into Christmas caroling mode. So far, Caminando, my a cappella caroling group has gigs at the Bay Downtown, The Terminal City Club, Rocky Mountain Railtours, the Burnaby Board Of Trade, Denman Place Mall and the Downtown Langley Merchant's Association. Some of us will also be leading carol sing-a-longs on the carol ships "The Pride Of Vancouver" and "The Star Of Vancouver". I will be singing and playing carols this coming weekend at the "Michaela Davidson Art & Gift Gallery" annual open Christmas House. If you happen to be on Vancouver Island from Fri., Nov. 19 to Sun., Nov. 21, come and check it out. It's definitely worth the drive.

Even though I'm almost in Christmas mode, I haven't forgetten about the new CD Second Take. Reviews will be coming soon as well as airplay on CBC. More details to follow.

Last but not least, my wonderful Mt. Pleasant Women's Choir will present a program of old English and German Christmas carols in the Collingwood Neighbourhood House foyer on Sun., December 5 from 12 to 1 p.m. We'll even have a big sing-a-long so bring your voices. It's for all ages and admission is free. My equally wonderful Young Voices Choir will be performing at the Shadbolt Centre's Seasonal Celebration on Dec. 2 sometime in the late afternoon or evening. I'll post more details on that soon.

October 5/04
I hope everyone is doing well. It has been an eventful spring and summer but I'm happy to report that the CD is now out! It just came back from the pressing plant and it sounds and looks great. To listen to a few tracks and read the song lyrics, go to the CDs page. You can listen to the entire album (streaming only) at www.newmusiccanada.com. We are planning a CD release party so keep checking back for details. You can also put yourself on my e-mail list too!

In other news, I have spent my summer vacation playing keyboards in a Ween cover band called Japanese Cowboy. In July, we played the Pic Pub in Vancouver, the Downstream Bar in Jasper, AB and now we are coming to the W.I.S.E Hall for the best Halloween show in town on Fri., Oct. 29. More details to follow.