Michael Fitzpatrick (musician)

Last updated
Michael Fitzpatrick
Michael Fitzpatrick 2014.jpg
Fitzpatrick in 2014
Background information
Birth nameMichael Sean Fitzpatrick
Also known asFitz
Born (1970-07-21) 21 July 1970 (age 53)
Montluçon, France
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Indie pop, neo soul
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, keyboard
Years active2008–present
Labels Dangerbird

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

Contents

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

  • Head Up High

With Band of Merrymakers

With Fitz and the Tantrums

Singles

As solo artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Adult
[15]
"Head Up High" [16] 202017Head Up High
"Life's Too Short" [17]
(with Two Friends)		2021—Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
AAA
[18] 		US
Dance
[19]
"Broken Drum"
(Cash Cash featuring Fitz)		2016—44 Blood, Sweat & 3 Years
"Domino"
(ZZ Ward featuring Fitz)		201724— The Storm
"Big Dreams"
(The Score featuring Fitz)		202124—Metamorph
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

TitleYearAlbum
"Not Leaving You Tonight"
(LL Cool J featuring Eddie Van Halen and Fitz)		2013 Authentic
"That's What I Like"
(Flo Rida featuring Fitz)		2015 My House
"Jacked Up" (Remix)
(Weezer featuring Nadya of Pussy Riot and Fitz)		2016 Weezer
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

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Fitz and the Tantrums are an American indie pop and neo soul band from Los Angeles, California, that formed in 2008. The band consists of Michael Fitzpatrick, Noelle Scaggs, James King, Joseph Karnes, Jeremy Ruzumna (keyboards) and John Wicks who left the band in 2022 to teach at University of Montana. Their debut studio album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, was released in August 2010 on indie label Dangerbird Records and received critical acclaim. It reached no. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The band signed to their current label Elektra Records in early 2013 and went on to release their second LP, More Than Just a Dream, the same year. Their self-titled third album was released in 2016, which contains their most notable song, "HandClap". Their fourth studio album, All the Feels, was released in 2019. Their fifth studio album, Let Yourself Free, was released in 2022.

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Pickin' Up the Pieces is the debut studio album by American band Fitz and the Tantrums, released on August 24, 2010, by Dangerbird Records. After the success of their home-recorded debut EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1 and touring, Dangerbird signed the group, who immediately began work on Pieces.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Walker (song)</span> 2013 single by Fitz and the Tantrums

"The Walker" is a song by the American neo soul band Fitz and the Tantrums. It is the second single from the band's second album More Than Just a Dream. The song was used in two scenes of the film Identity Thief, the trailers for the films The Boxtrolls and Storks, in the trailer for video game The Sims 4, in television commercials for the 86th Academy Awards that were hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, in the 2014 Major League Baseball postseason and in commercials for Sprite, Supercuts, Reebok ZQuick and Walmart. From 2014 until the end of the 2017 season, the song was used as the opening theme to the MLB Network show High Heat, hosted by Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo. The song is also featured in the pilot episode of the FOX television sitcom Grandfathered as well as the Netflix original series The Umbrella Academy. It has also been used in the soundtrack of the video game NBA 2K18.

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James King is an American multi-instrumentalist who is a co-founder for soul band Fitz and the Tantrums. In 2008, he was approached by college friend Michael Fitzpatrick to play saxophone on a few songs that he had written which turned out to be the beginnings of Fitz and the Tantrums. King recommended Noelle Scaggs and other musicians. They performed for the first time a week later at Hollywood's Hotel Café. They released their debut EP Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1 in August 2009, and the tracks soon received airplay on public radio station KCRW in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fitz and the Tantrums discography</span>

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<i>All the Feels</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Fitz and the Tantrums

All the Feels is the fourth studio album by the American neo-soul/pop band Fitz and the Tantrums, their first release since their self-titled album in 2016. It was released on September 20, 2019, through Elektra Records. The digital release of the album has 17 songs, and is the band's longest album to date following Fliz and the Tantrums (2016).

"I Just Wanna Shine" is a song by American indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums. It was released on July 14, 2019, as the fourth single from the band's fourth studio album All the Feels. Band's members Michael Fitzpatrick, Noelle Scaggs, Joe Karnes, James King, Jeremy Ruzumna and John Wicks wrote the song with Nick Long, and it was produced by Jake Sinclair.

<i>Let Yourself Free</i> 2022 album by Fitz and the Tantrums

Let Yourself Free is the fifth studio album by American band Fitz and the Tantrums. It was released on November 11, 2022, by Elektra Records. A deluxe edition of the album with six extra songs was released on June 23, 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Greenwald, Andy (12 Apr 2011). "Band to Watch: Fitz and the Tantrums Put a Modern Spin on Motown". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 Jun 2011.
  2. ↑ Fitz and the Tantrums at Billboard
  3. ↑ Fitz & The Tantrums [@FitzAndTantrums] (21 July 2010). "Its Fitz's Birthday Today! Send him your Happys !" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Stovin, Jack (July 29, 2011). "File-O-Facts: Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitz And The Tantrums". AltSounds. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  5. ↑ Forman, Bill (2 Jun 2011). "Method of modern love - Deconstructing the soul-fueled fervor for Fitz & the Tantrums". Colorado Springs Independent. Archived from the original on Jul 26, 2011. Retrieved 22 Jun 2011.
  6. 1 2 Bronson, Kevin (17 Jun 2010). "Fitz & the Tantrums: Finding plenty of soul mates". Buzz Bands. Los Angeles. Retrieved 22 Jun 2011.
  7. ↑ DJGladIZ (6 Dec 2009). "Fitz and The Tantrums Interview With UTARadio.com". YouTube. Retrieved 22 Jun 2011.
  8. ↑ Korina Lopez (February 13, 2011). "On the verge: Fitz & the Tantrums channel the Motown spirit". USA Today . Retrieved 22 Jun 2011.
  9. ↑ Brindle, Kate (22 Jun 2011). ""Fitz and the Tantrums' Music Draws a Lot from Motown." - Interview". Zoiks! Online. Archived from the original on Mar 12, 2012. Retrieved 22 Jun 2011.
  10. ↑ Eggenberger, Nicole (May 8, 2013). "Kaylee DeFer Pregnant: Gossip Girl Actress, 26, Expecting First Child With Boyfriend Michael Fitzpatrick, 42". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  11. ↑ Takeda, Allison (September 21, 2013). "Kaylee DeFer Gives Birth to Baby Boy With Boyfriend Michael Fitzpatrick!". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  12. ↑ 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". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25.
  13. ↑ fitz (April 12, 2017). "Sebastian Danger Fitzpatrick Born April 11th at 2:27pm. 7pounds 15 ounces. Mama @kayleedefer and her boy squad!". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25.
  14. ↑ 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. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Head Up High - Single by FITZ". Apple Music. Archived from the original on Nov 7, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Life's Too Short - Single by Two Friends & Fitz". Apple Music. 3 December 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Chart History – Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard . Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Chart History – Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard . Retrieved December 22, 2020.
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