Faces of Femoir ~ Mitch Alisyn

Montreal-based guitarist/keyboardist Mitch Alisyn is the newest member of the Femoir team.

What are your own musical roots? 
I am a very eclectic player and listener because – to me – there is a certain type of music for every mood so why box yourself in? I do find myself playing a lot of blues, rock, and jazz though.

When and why did you start playing music?
Growing up with musically inclined parents, music was always around the house, and there was always a lot of singing and dancing going on. They brought me to many rock/blues concerts as a kid but the one that left the deepest impact on me was watching performers play at The Mont-Tremblant Blues Fest. It was then I realized I needed to be on that stage.

Are they the same reasons you do it today?
Back then it seemed I wanted the stage time to show people what I could do but once that happened, I realized that striving to take people on a trip with me is a more meaningful objective. As you mature and gain experience, it changes your outlook on music and the whole meaning of it all.

How have you evolved as an artist over that time?
I have my teacher Nick Di Tomasso to thank for my biggest breakthrough. He was a tough teacher, but it sparked a fire in me that I never knew I had. Through him, I realized that if I wanted something, I had to go get it. Consistently being open to new concepts and understanding how to learn are probably the 2 pillars that keep me evolving to this day.

What are the challenges of the vocation?
The learning curve and making something beautiful. Although beautiful is subjective, it takes some time and patience to wrap your head around what music is all about.

What are the rewards?
An endless pursuit of discovery. While others get bored with TV programs and video games, music has no finish line. Also knowing how much discipline and dedication it takes to be able to play something and seeing it all manifest right before you.

What have been some career highlights?
Nothing too crazy compared to some other musicians but I got to play Club Soda with my band one time. Was really fun to play on a big bill. I played a couple of open blues jams to stay on the scene, nothing out of the ordinary.

What makes a good song?
Is it effective? If yes, then it is a good song. Whether it’s a radio hit, a death metal mess, or a cliché country tune, if it serves the purpose well and gets across to the listener, it is a good song.

What makes a good live show?
Stimulation of all the senses. You need to stimulate the viewer not only sonically but visually as well. Live music should always remain a unique experience. It should never be exactly the same twice or else it doesn’t feel natural or special. I never liked bands that kept to the script for every city they were in.

What are your first impressions of Femoir?
Very mystical. I knew I had to listen to it a bit more to really understand what the message was. The music is 3-dimensional, it has depth. It’s not your typical linear timeline with a rise of intensities at the choruses, there are more elements to discover.

What’s on your musical agenda for the rest of 2022?
I love to practice (call me crazy). So, I shall keep developing my craft and discovering new things. I love playing shows and playing with people, but I enjoy my solitude and discovering things in my laboratory/practice room.

www.mitchalisyn.wixsite.com/website