Michael Fitzpatrick (musician) explained

Michael Fitzpatrick
Birth Name:Michael Sean Fitzpatrick
Birth Date:21 July 1970
Birth Place:Montluçon, France
Origin:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alias:Fitz
Instrument:Vocals, piano, keyboards
Genre:Indie pop, neo soul
Occupation:Musician, singer, songwriter
Years Active:2007–present
Label:Dangerbird
Associated Acts:Fitz and the Tantrums, Band of Merrymakers

Michael Sean "Fitz" Fitzpatrick (born 21 July 1970), also known by his solo stage name FITZ, is a French-American musician, singer and songwriter, who is the lead vocalist of the indie pop/neo-soul band Fitz and the Tantrums.

Fitz and the Tantrums were heralded as a "band to watch" in an April 2011 profile in Rolling Stone.[1] Their 2010 debut full-length album Pickin' Up the Pieces received critical acclaim and reached #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[2]

In May 2021, Fitzpatrick released his debut solo album, Head Up High.

Biography

Born in Montluçon, Allier, France,[3] [4] Fitzpatrick grew up in Los Angeles. His father, Robert Fitzpatrick, is Irish American and his mother, Sylvie, is French. He attended the L.A. County High School for the Arts, studying vocal music and then studied experimental film at the California Institute of the Arts,[5] where he met fellow band member James King. Although he now composes primarily on the piano and organ, he only had formal piano training later in life. He has said, "I'd always been a decent singer, but I got frustrated by my inability to play piano by anything more than by ear. I took piano lessons when I was 32, and it opened up a whole new vocabulary for me."[6] Fitzpatrick grew up mostly listening to classical music, as he was discouraged from listening to other music styles in the household. One concession, however, was being allowed to listen to a local oldie radio station in the car driving to and from school.[7]

After college, he worked for many years behind the scenes as a sound engineer for producer Mickey Petralia, who produced Beck, Ladytron, Flight of the Conchords, and The Dandy Warhols.[8]

In late 2008, Fitzpatrick received a call from an ex-girlfriend to tell him about a neighbor who needed to unload or sell a church organ for $50.[1] Fitzpatrick told her to pay the neighbor the $50 and arranged to have the organ moved to his apartment that same day. That evening, inspired by the organ, he wrote the song "Breakin' the Chains of Love". He has stated, "I immediately knew it was the best song I'd written. I could astral plane out and hear myself, like, 'wow!' Not bad!".[1] Fitzpatrick decided to form a band, and contacted friend and saxophonist James King. Through phone calls they assembled the band, with King recommending singer Noelle Scaggs and drummer John Wicks, and Wicks in turn bringing in bassist Ethan Phillips and keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna.[6] The band met for its first rehearsal a week later and instantly clicked.

In interviews, he has emphasized his eclectic musical tastes. He has said, "We [the band] all have a love affair with soul and funk music. For me, it's obviously Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, all that stuff. My musical taste runs the gamut from Radiohead to Zeppelin to Major Lazer. My older brother was really into '80s new wave, so a lot of the first records I got to borrow and steal were his."[9]

Personal life

In May 2013, it was announced that Fitzpatrick was expecting a child with then-girlfriend actress Kaylee DeFer.[10] DeFer gave birth to their son in September 2013.[11] Fitzpatrick and DeFer married on 25 July 2015.[12] Their second son was born in April 2017[13] and a third son was born in May 2019.[14]

Discography

Albums

Solo

See also: Fitz and the Tantrums discography.

Singles

As solo artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Adult

[15]
"Head Up High"[16] 202017Head Up High
"Congratulations"
2021
"Life's Too Short"[17]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
AAA

[18]
US
Dance

[19]
"Broken Drum"
201644Blood, Sweat & 3 Years
"Domino"
201724 The Storm
"Big Dreams"
202124 Metamorph
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

TitleYearAlbum
"Not Leaving You Tonight"
2013Authentic
"That's What I Like"
2015My House
"Jacked Up" (Remix)
2016Weezer
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes and References

  1. Greenwald . Andy . 12 Apr 2011 . Band to Watch: Fitz and the Tantrums Put a Modern Spin on Motown . Rolling Stone . 22 Jun 2011.
  2. https://www.billboard.com/artist/fitz-and-the-tantrums/ Fitz and the Tantrums
  3. 19096080133. FitzAndTantrums. Its Fitz's Birthday Today! Send him your Happys !. Fitz & The Tantrums. 21 July 2010.
  4. Web site: Stovin . Jack . July 29, 2011 . File-O-Facts: Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz And The Tantrums . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130103022239/http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/132328-file-o-facts-michael-fitzpatrick-fitz-tantrums.html . 3 January 2013 . 13 April 2013 . AltSounds.
  5. News: Forman . Bill . 2 Jun 2011 . Method of modern love - Deconstructing the soul-fueled fervor for Fitz & the Tantrums . Colorado Springs Independent . 22 Jun 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726054339/http://www.csindy.com/colorado/method-of-modern-love/Content?oid=2226912 . Jul 26, 2011.
  6. News: Bronson . Kevin . 17 Jun 2010 . Fitz & the Tantrums: Finding plenty of soul mates . Buzz Bands . Los Angeles . 22 Jun 2011.
  7. News: DJGladIZ . 6 Dec 2009 . Fitz and The Tantrums Interview With UTARadio.com . YouTube . 22 Jun 2011.
  8. News: On the verge: Fitz & the Tantrums channel the Motown spirit. Korina Lopez. February 13, 2011. USA Today. 22 Jun 2011.
  9. News: Brindle . Kate . 22 Jun 2011 . "Fitz and the Tantrums' Music Draws a Lot from Motown." - Interview . Zoiks! Online . 22 Jun 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120312232043/http://www.zoiksonline.com/2011/06/fitz-and-tantrums-music-draws-lot-from.html . Mar 12, 2012.
  10. News: Kaylee DeFer Pregnant: Gossip Girl Actress, 26, Expecting First Child With Boyfriend Michael Fitzpatrick, 42 . Us Weekly. May 8, 2013. September 21, 2013. Nicole. Eggenberger .
  11. News: Kaylee DeFer Gives Birth to Baby Boy With Boyfriend Michael Fitzpatrick!. Us Weekly. September 21, 2013. September 21, 2013. Allison. Takeda .
  12. Web site: fitz . July 26, 2016 . One year ago today I got to marry this incredible woman. I love you @kayleedefer I'm the luckiest guy in the world. . registration . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/fitz/1302544534550773189 . 2021-12-25 . Instagram.
  13. Web site: fitz . April 12, 2017 . Sebastian Danger Fitzpatrick Born April 11th at 2:27pm. 7pounds 15 ounces. Mama @kayleedefer and her boy squad! . registration . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/fitz/1491069920145010656 . 2021-12-25 . Instagram.
  14. Web site: DeFer . Kaylee . May 27, 2019 . We did it! He came in like a wild fire. Welcome Rémy Lincoln Fitzpatrick. Born May 26th. 8 LBS 5.9 Oz. 20 inches long. I barely made it to the hospital at 5:50pm and had him in my arms at 6:20pm. We're both happy and healthy and can't wait for Michael to get home from Seoul. Thank you for all the well wishes and love. We hear it and feel it immensely. So grateful for my tribe and my parents for hustling to be there for us while Michael's been away. I'm overwhelmed with love and appreciation for the giant hearts in my life. #babyfitz3 #brothersfitz #❤️ #welcomeearthside . Instagram.
  15. Fitz Chart History – Adult Pop Songs. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
  16. Web site: Head Up High - Single by FITZ . https://web.archive.org/web/20201107203742/https://music.apple.com/us/album/head-up-high-single/1535509658 . Nov 7, 2020 . March 26, 2021 . Apple Music.
  17. Web site: 3 December 2021 . Life's Too Short - Single by Two Friends & Fitz . February 1, 2022 . Apple Music.
  18. Fitz & the Tantrums Chart History – Adult Alternative Songs. Billboard. December 22, 2020.
  19. Fitz & the Tantrums Chart History – Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. Billboard. December 22, 2020.