For his new song, “Joe,” North Vancouver singer-songwriter Mike Bertini set out to tell an alternative story of homelessness.
“I looked at it from a different perspective as a young boy and a story about his life and how he ended up on the street (and) why he was there. It’s open to imagination. It’s a story about a boy who finds his home,” says the 21-year-old Windsor secondary grad.
Bertini, who also works as a sound engineer, was inspired to write “Joe” in light of the homeless problem in Vancouver and beyond. The burgeoning alternative rock artist and his band will celebrate its release on iTunes with a performance Sunday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. at Two Lions Public House in North Vancouver. Partial event proceeds will support the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, which runs the North Shore shelter.
“We’re excited that Mike and his band have chosen to fundraise for the Lookout Society at their single release party,” said Shayne Williams, executive director of the society. “The party and Mike’s single, ‘Joe,’ also raise awareness about homelessness, which benefits the North Shore’s most vulnerable residents.”
The show is being supported by the North Shore Homelessness Task Force, which is helping to spread the word.
“One of the task force goals is community awareness and engagement related to North Shore homelessness. This is a great example of this in action. Mike’s song is very meaningful and we are delighted he is connecting with the Lookout Shelter to raise funds,” says Lynne Henshaw, task force co-ordinator.
In addition to fundraising, Bertini has worked to forge personal connections with members of the North Shore’s homeless community. He’s befriended a number of men and is pleased to have them appear in the music video for “Joe,” which will be released in the coming months.
“It’s not really about the money for me, it’s about helping people. It’s about music and sharing emotion through music and sharing the story of this boy through music and trying to create awareness for the homeless,” he says.
“Joe” is the second single on Bertini’s pending five-song EP debut, already recorded and set to be released in the new year. The first single on the EP was “Those Nights,” released along with a video this summer.
“I started at a young age and my parents saw that I had the talent and could hear music differently than other people so they pushed me toward it. Eventually it started to just become part of me and I started writing songs when I was around 14. And then I got signed to an artist development deal, over two years now, to Darcy D Music Group, and that’s when I really started to decide that’s what I wanted to do,” he says.
Joining Bertini for Sunday's performance is his backing band, Chad Galpin, bass, Cesar Madrigal, guitar, and Juan Encinales, drums (all members of the Capilano University Jazz Studies Program).
“I’m really excited for the event and I really appreciate everyone that’s coming and I thank the local businesses that donated,” he says.
Tickets are $25 (includes a burger and beer). Info: facebook.com/events/1232765736748839 or mikebertinimusic.com.
