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Michael Fitzpatrick (musician)

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For other people named Michael Fitzpatrick, see Michael Fitzpatrick (disambiguation).
Michael Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick in 2014
Fitzpatrick in 2014
Background information
Birth nameMichael Sean Fitzpatrick
Also known asFitz
Born (1970-07-21) 21 July 1970 (age 54)
Montluçon, France
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresIndie pop, neo soul
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, keyboards
Years active2007–present
LabelsDangerbird
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​

Michael Sean "Fitz" Fitzpatrick (born 21 July 1970), known professionally as 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

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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

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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

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Albums

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Solo

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  • Head Up High

With Fitz and the Tantrums

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See also: Fitz and the Tantrums discography

With Band of Merrymakers

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Singles

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As solo artist

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Adult
[15]
"Head Up High"[16] 2020 17 Head Up High
"Congratulations"[17]
(solo or with Bryce Vine) 		2021 –
"Life's Too Short"[18]
(with Two Friends) 		– Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA
[19] 		US
Dance
[20]
"Broken Drum"
(Cash Cash featuring Fitz) 		2016 — 44 Blood, Sweat & 3 Years
"Domino"
(ZZ Ward featuring Fitz) 		2017 24 — The Storm
"Big Dreams"
(The Score featuring Fitz) 		2021 24 — Metamorph
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

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Title Year Album
"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.

References

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  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ Congratulations (feat. Bryce Vine) by FITZ & Fitz and The Tantrums on Apple Music, 2021-03-19, retrieved 2024-06-29
  18. ^ "Life's Too Short - Single by Two Friends & Fitz". Apple Music. 3 December 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  19. ^ "Fitz & the Tantrums Chart History – Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  20. ^ "Fitz & the Tantrums Chart History – Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
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