PETER KATZ – FIRST OF THE LAST TO KNOW  

CBC   Galaxie   Rising   Star   Award   Winner   Peter  Katz  was  supposed  to  make  a  solo  acoustic  record…  but,  when   the   likes   of   Academy   Award   Winner   Glen  Hansard   (The   Swell   Season,   The   Frames,   ‘Once’),   Juno  Award   Winning   Canadian   Folk   darlings   The   Good  Lovelies,   and   steel-­‐town   siren   Melissa   McClelland  agreed  to  sing  along…  plans  changed.  

 Nevertheless,   ‘First  of   the  Last  to  Know’  marks  the  true  arrival  of  Peter  Katz,  solo  

artist.  Even  with  the  good  company  on  the  record,  Peter’s  voice  and  acoustic  guitar  remain  the  focal  point  throughout.    

After  years  of  touring  solo  while  selling  a  full-­‐on  band  record,  Katz  got  tired  of  the  same  feedback:  “We  wish  you  would  make  a  record  that  sounds  like  you  playing  live”.  Katz  agrees:   “My   life   is   touring,   and   I’m  dedicated   to   that,   but   at   a   certain   point   your   record  needs  to  do  some  leg-­‐work  for  you.  If  the  only  way  you  can  win  someone  over  is  live,  then  you  need  to  go  back  to  the  drawing  board  and  make  a  better  record.”  

 Working   with   long-­‐time   friend,   tour-­‐mate,   singer-­‐songwriter   and   producer   Rob  

Szabo,  the  two  scheduled  regular  meetings  for  4  months,  looking  at  every  aspect  of  Peter’s  songs.  “There  were  some  definite  tense  moments,  but  I  knew  Rob  was  right  and  I  had  to  put  my  ego  aside  and  learn.  We  worked  and  worked  and  worked,  just  on  the  barebones  of  the   songs   and   of   the   guitar   and   vocals,  making   sure   every   last  word,   every   note,   every  groove,  every  picking  pattern,  every  tempo  was  exactly  where   it  needed  to  be.   It  was  an  amazing  and  awful  experience,”  Katz  says  with  a  smile.  

When  it  came  time  to  finally  record,  they  set  up  shop  at  the  gorgeous  Barn  Window  Studio  on  the  escarpment  outside  Hamilton.  “I  didn’t  want  to  be  in  a  booth  and  then  have  to  try  to  add  vibe  using  the  computer.  I  wanted  the  space  to  inspire,  to  have  its  quirks  and  unique  qualities   in   the  moment.  There’s   no  question  when   I   listen   to   this   record,   I   hear  that  it  was  recorded  in  a  big,  beautiful  barn.  I  mean,  I  got  to  sing  while  staring  out  at  the  night  through  a  huge  glass  window…  You  can’t  get  that  in  a  booth.”  

 One   aspect   of   Katz’s   sound   that   remains   true   from   his   very   first   demos   is   his  

dedication   to   telling   powerful   stories.   The   stunning   ‘Oliver’s   Tune’   is   inspired   by   a   CBC  interview  with   the   late   Oliver   Schroer,   a   Canadian   fiddle   player  who   passed   away   from  Leukemia  but  decided   to  play  one   final   concert  a  month  before  he  died.   ‘The  Fence’   is   a  haunting  song   that   imagines   the  experience  of  Matthew  Shepard,   the  Laramie,  Wyoming  student  who  was   tied   to   a   fence   and   left   to   die   one   night   because   he  was   gay.   And   the  soaring,   cathartic   title   track,   ‘First   of   the   Last   to   Know,’   explores   the   story   of   anyone  working  to  emerge  as  a  fully  realized  human  being.  

Expressing   both   aching   sadness   and   intense   joy,   Katz’   songs,   carried   by   his  passionate,  intimate  voice,  guide  us  through  the  gamut  of  human  experience.  

 And   if   the   record   leaves   you   wanting   more,   he   will   be   continuing   his   habit   of  

playing   150+   dates   a   year.   With   tours   already   booked   throughout   Europe   and   North  America  heading  into  2011,  he’s  likely  coming  to  a  town  near  you.  And  if  he  isn’t,  drop  him  a  line,  he’s  known  for  making  an  effort  to  play  wherever  there  are  eager  ears.    

PETER KATZ – FIRST OF THE LAST TO KNOW  QUICK  FACTS:    

Nominated   as   Emerging   Artist   of   the   Year   at  the  2010  Canadian  Folk  Music  Awards  

“First   of   the   Last   to   Know”   debuted   at   #1   on  the  iTunes  Singer-­‐Songwriter  charts  in  Canada  and  has  since  returned  to  #1  three  more  times.    

‘Dangerous’  was  iTunes  single  of  the  week  for  July  27  –  August  3rd,  2010  

‘First   of   the   Last   to   Know’   was   album   of   the  month  for  April,  2010  at  Amazon.com  

‘First   of   the   Last   to   Know’   was   Top   200   at  retail  for  the  first  5  weeks  of  release  in  Canada  

Recipient  of  the  FACTOR  Emerging  Artist  Award  for  ‘First  of  the  Last  to  Know’   Nominated  for  COCA  Emerging  Artist  Award  2009  (national  award)   Winner  of  the  CBC  Galaxie  Rising  Star  Award  (national  award)   Grand  Prize  winner  at  Canadian  IndieWeek  (over  300  applicants))   New   Album   ‘First   of   the   Last   to   Know’   features   appearances   by   Academy   Award  Winner  Glen  Hansard,  Melissa  McCelland  and  The  Good  Lovelies.    

7  successful  national  tours  of  Canada  since  2006  (150+  dates  a  year  and  growing)       Support  spot  for  the  sold-­‐out  Swell  Season  at  the  Queen  Elizabeth  Theatre  in  Toronto     2  Tours   of   the  Netherlands   (including   one   opening   for  Dutch   star   Lucky   Fonz   III),   2  tours  of  the  UK  (including  support  spots  with  Nell  Bryden),  tour  of  Ireland,  tour  dates  in  Germany  and  France.  

Invited   to   record   ‘Acadian   Driftwood’   with   Garth   Hudson   for   upcoming   ‘The   Band’  tribute  album  (other  artists  include  The  Tragically  Hip,  Blue  Rodeo,  etc.)  

Regular   national   and   college   radio   play,   including   featured   interviews   on   national  programs   like   ‘As   It   Happens’   and   ‘Go’   and   regional   programs   like   ‘Fresh   Air’   and  ‘Metro  Morning’.    Also  nationwide  charting  on  college  radio  stations  (including  several  top  10’s).      

Live   performances/interviews   on   several   important   Dutch   radio   programs   like   3FM,  Kink  FM  2  Meter  Sessions,  Radio  6  Netherlands  and  the  Tros  MuziekCafe.  

Over  10,000+  copies  of  albums  sold  to  date   Shared   the   stage   with   such   acts   as   The   Swell   Season,   The   Good   Lovelies,   Bedouin  Soundclash,   Craig   Cardiff,   Danny   Michel,   Jeremy   Fisher,   Melissa   McClelland,   Tokyo  Police  Club,  Murray  McLachlan,  Dan  Mangan  and  more.  

Earned   spots   at   MIDEM   2009   (France),   SXSW,   NXNE,   CMW,   Ottawa   Folk   Festival,  Winterfolk,  IndieWeek,  SongwriterFest,  In  the  Dead  of  Winter,  CAMfest  and  more  

Invited   by   National   Arts   Center   to   perform   in   Vimy   France   as   part   of   the   90th  anniversary  re-­‐dedication  ceremony  (performance  for  over  10  000  people)    

PETER KATZ – FIRST OF THE LAST TO KNOW  PRESS  QUOTES  (selected):  

 “One   of   the   most   promising   songwriters   of   our  time”  B.Y.E.  Magazine      “Peter   is   one   of   those   storytellers   who   is  mastering   the   key   to   crafting   great   pop   songs:  distilling.   He   wastes   no   words,   leaves   no   heads  scratched,   engages   hearts   with   stories   we   know,  and   leaves   enough   space   for   listeners   to  storyboard   their   own   imaginary   music   videos.  Stories   of   love,   respect,   gratitude,   dangerous  lovers,   encouragement,   following   one’s   bliss,  loneliness,   and   an   incredible   tribute   to   the   late  Oliver  Schroer”.    

Andy  Frank,  Roots  Music  Canada    “Katz   is   impressive   in  his   own   right.  His   acoustic  style   doesn’t   languish,   but   instead   slowly   entices  the   listener  with   personal   stories   and   anecdotes.  ‘Carried   Away’   finds   Caroline   Brooks   adding   an  intertwining  vocal  and  the  effect  is  arresting”  

 Line  of  Best  Fit    "A   gifted   songwriter   blessed   with   a   gorgeous,  warm  voice"  See  Magazine    "A  gifted,  eloquent  songwriter"  View  Mag    “Lyric  and  vocal  virtuosity”  Chart  Attack    “Katz   has   operated   somewhat   under   the  commercial   radar,   but   that   deserves   to   change  with  this  impressive  effort”.    

Kerry  Doole,  Exclaim!    “He's  able  to  stand  side  by  side  with  national  (and  international)   talent,   relish   the   experience   and  still  hold  his  own”.    Herohill    “Peter   Katz   took   to   the   stage   with   radiating  confidence,   not   an   easy   feat   for   a   singer-­‐songwriter   just   before   an   internationally  acclaimed  act”    Jessica  Lewis,  Exclaim!    “It  can  turn  any  cynic  into  a  believer  when  he  belts  out   such   lyrics   like   "all   you   need   is   right   here   in  this  room".  Natalia  Buia,  Sticky  Magazine  

 "Beautiful   and   intimate,  More   Nights   is   an   album  from   a   young   Canadian   artist   that   shows   true  musical   brilliance.   More   Nights   deserves   to  explode   onto   the   indie   rock   scene   and   hopefully  gets  Peter  Katz  the  credit  he  deserves  for  creating  such  enjoyable,  personal  folk  music"    

Jordyn  Marcellus,  Gauntlet    "Katz   resembles   kindred   spirit   Ron   Sexsmith   and  his   subtle   acoustic   charm,   while   channeling  Hawksley   Workman's   grief   stricken   vocals.   The  music   is   reinforced   by   Katz's   genuinely  heartbreaking   take   on   modern   day   love-­‐tragedies...More   Nights   begs   the   question:   why   is  such   a   talented   songwriter   with   such   well-­‐crafted  pop  songs  still  an  independent  artist?"    

Jason  Gladu,  Pop  Journalism  Magazine    "More  Nights  is  truly  worth  the  expense  it  took  to  make...The  stark  arrangements  serve  perfectly  the  singer's  penchant  for  finely  crafted  lyrics"    

Bill  Adam,  Echo  Weekly        “[Katz]  breathes  life  into  Buckley's  unique  stream  of   folk   music   and   for   a   moment   garners   smiles  from  those  who  worshiped  the  genre.  But  Katz  by  no  means  lives  in  Buckley's  shadow.  He  carves  his  own   niche   in   the   industry   and   delivers   a   unique  blend   of   folk   with   a   vintage   sound..   Peter   Katz  embodies  Canadian  folk"    

Andrew  Seale,  Spill  Magazine    "A   great   musician   who   knows   the   sound(s)   he's  listening   for,   maintaining   a   uniqueness  throughout  the  release"    

Antoine  Tedesco,  Scene  and  Heard    "His  lyrics  are  brilliantly  descriptive  which  allows  you  to  escape  into  a  world  that  he  creates.  No  lack  of  talent  here"  SoulShine    "Few  songwriters  can  lyrically  put  together  songs  that   seem   to   speak   to   everyone,   capturing  universal  moments  of  emotion.  Katz  does"    

Just  another  song.com  

   

PETER KATZ – FIRST OF THE LAST TO KNOW      INDUSTRY  QUOTES  (selected):    "Peter  Katz  has  steadily  made  a  great  name  for  himself  in  the  Canadian  music  industry.  His  high-­‐energy  performances,  and  well-­‐crafted  songs  make  him  one  of  the  best  live  acts  I've  had  come  through  my  club  in  years.  His  music  seems  to  strike  a  chord  in  people.  Combine  that  with  his  strong  work  ethic  and  it  makes  me  wonder  why  no  one  has  snatched  this  guy  up  yet.  If  I  had  the  money,  I'd  put  it  into  his  future."    

Chris  Loane,  Booker  for  The  Rivoli  &  Tatoo,  Toronto    “His  awe-­‐inspiring  performance  and  captivating  energy  are  side  notes  to  the  level  of  integrity  he  performs  his  art  with”  Brent  Bain,  Music  Manager,  FACTOR    “Peter  was  a  joy  to  work  with,  both  musically  and  personally.  It  is  my  opinion  that  Peter  has  all  of  the  attributes  needed  to  find  success  in  today’s  competitive  music  business”    

Mike  Turner,  ‘Our  Lady  Peace’  guitarist  and  owner  of  The  Pocket  Studios    “I'm  looking  forward  to  finding  opportunities  to  help  Peter  in  his  career  in  any  way  that  I  can,  and  would,  without  hesitation,  nudge  anyone  I  met  to  do  the  same.  I  know  that,  once  you  hear  a  few  of  his  tracks,  and,  should  you  be  so  lucky  as  to  meet  Peter,  you'd  very  likely  feel  the  same.”    

 Christopher  Mills,  JUNO  award  winning  director  (The  Tragically  Hip,  Stars,  Sam  Roberts...)    "Peter  plays  as  if  to  a  room  of  millions,  but  each  person  feels  as  if  he  is  playing  to  them  alone.  His  music  and  live  performances  reach  people  in  a  very  personal  way."    Dave  Stelling,  Warner  Music    “His  professionalism  and  diversity  as  a  musician  has  made  him,  not  only  an  incredibly  enjoyable  artist  to  watch  but  also  a  pleasure  to  work  with”.  

Michelle  Beauchamp,  Special  Events  Coordinator,  Cambrian  College    "Peter  Katz  is  one  of  the  hardest  working  and  most  insightful  artists  I  have  worked  with...he  knows  how  to  reach  his  audience  both  onstage  and  off"    

Brian  Hetherman,  VP  at  FACTOR    “I  was  introduced  to  Peter’s  music  two  years  ago  and  quickly  became  a  fan  before  officially  meeting  him  last  year.  I  have  always  been  very  impressed  with  Peter’s  work  ethic  and  his  dedication  to  his  music  career.  Peter  is  undeniably  talented  and  charismatic;  as  a  result,  he  continues  to  earn  the  respect  of  many  people  within  the  music  industry”.  

Michelle  Szeto.  Director  of  PR  &  Marketing  at  Paquin  Entertainment