Michael C. Duguay 'Saint Maybe' Out Today

Songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Michael C. Duguay today releases his new album, Saint Maybe. A collection of agnostic hymns posing questions to the universe, seeking guidance and support, Saint Maybe is out now via Inside Pocket. To celebrate the release Duguay shares the video to the latest single “The King of Everything (Stealing Time)”.

Inspired by recovery and recorded collaboratively in Whitehorse, Yukon, survival emerges as a central theme of Saint Maybe, whether it be surviving capitalism on the new single “The King Of Everything (Stealing Time)”, mental illness and addiction, or heartbreak and religion. The weight of Duguay’s storytelling is bolstered by the musical strength of the record. Saint Maybe is by turns experimental, anthemic and poppy, Duguay’s songwriting personal, poetic, and heartfelt; his vocals sometimes punk rock and sometimes near-spoken, yet always clear and warm.

Watch/Share: Michael C.Duguay “The King of Everything (Stealing Time)”

Duguay traveled to the Yukon in 2018 to tour and facilitate a songwriting workshop for youth in the fly-in-community Old Crow. On that visit he befriended Jeremy Parkin, a young artist/producer from the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jordy Walker, both of whom would be instrumental in Duguay’s decision to return to the Yukon with his close collaborator, drummer Liam Cole, to record Saint Maybe at Walker’s studio in Whitehorse. The spectacular and serene beauty of the subarctic Yukon landscapes, as well as the resourcefulness of northern arts communities, were equally inspiring to the collaborators’ process.

Duguay began his music career in the mid-2000s as a multi-instrumentalist in a number of high profile touring indie bands, but his musical journey was interrupted by mental illness, homelessness and addiction for the better part of ten years. He recommenced his artistic practice in 2018, self producing and releasing his sophomore album The Winter Of Our Discotheque in 2020, which chronicled years of tumult and established him as one of Canada’s most enigmatic and honest emerging voices.

In between recording and releasing Discotheque Duguay relapsed and it became clear to him that he had to choose between using and making music. Duguay returned to rehab, got clean, and wrote half of the songs for Saint Maybe.

With Saint Maybe Duguay has hit his stride as an arranger, producer and songwriter and has begun to fashion an evolving template for immersive site-specific ensemble recordings that he has continued to use to record himself and other artists. Working in remote locations, Duguay encourages the community-building aspects of production to inform his creative decisions – Saint Maybe features contributions from 15 musicians as well as spoken cameos from dozens of friends (and their kids).

The near-village that made Saint Maybe includes pianist Declan O’Donovan and backup vocalists Rob Dickson and Calla Kinglit. Dickson also co-wrote “The King Of Everything” and “Sonny, No Army”; Doug Hoyer co-wrote “The Watch That Ends The Night” and Cormac Culkeen (Joyful Joyful) co-wrote “Saint Maybe.”

Saint Maybe is out now via Inside Pocket.

Tracklisst:

1. North Dawson Hymn
2. The Watch That Ends The Night
3. Handle With Care
4. Saint Maybe
5. ONA (Interlude)
6. Ain’t Apathetic
7. Staying Power
8. The King of Everything (Stealing Time)
9. Love Is A Number
10. Sonny No Army
11. Pale Pony Hymn