Gift_Receipt ElectricXmas2, Michael Nus

Gift Receipt. Photos: Joey Devilla

Finally after countless nights of karaoke and about 2 years of of silence I got back onto the stage. I almost forgot how good it felt.

I don’t think there is anywhere in the world I feel more comfortable than on a stage sharing music with all in attendance. When I was fronting touring bands I would live my life from stage to stage. Everything in between was just practice because my real home was under the lights in front of the mic.

Funny the other night’s event should be called Electric Xmas because that’s exactly the way I would describe what it’s like for me in front of a crowd. The air is electric and I am sharp, focused and resolute when I perform. Although I was not singing, rather playing guitar, the feeling was the same. I must thank my fellow bandmates in “Gift Receipt” for being awesome musicians to work with. Sean is, as always, in my opinion the hardest working hype-man in showbiz. Alex and Dwayne from The Ruby Spirit and Wildlife, respectively, are just awesome performers and an absolute pleasure to work with. The chemistry was effortless and I hope we all come together once again in the future for another jam. It shall be epic.

As great as it was to perform live again, this is not about me though. Thank you to all the people who made ElectricXmas2 such a resounding success. All the other stage acts were a real treat to watch and everyone who helped out from the lovely ladies, Christine and Reggie, working the door and Affan setting up the twitter wall, to the staff at the Horseshoe were as consummate professionals. A very happy birthday and special thanks to Corey for being the night’s Cellular Santa Claus and thank you to Lauren O’Nizzle for helping to spread the holiday cheer with Dave snapping away on the camera!

EX2 was definitely the place to be and we hope to see you all next year! Have a beautiful holiday, dear readers.

Much love,

Michael Nus

For those of you who didn’t make it here are some of the memorable bits:

  • A pulsing, dancing crowd

    electricXmas2 MichaelNus Holy Trinity of Happiness

    Electric Memories

  • Gift Receipt rocking the house
  • Freestyle rap by Sean Ward and 100% improvised tunes by Gift Receipt
  • Raymi rocking the drumkit
  • A good ol’ fashioned hootenanny on stage with the whole crowd
  • Secret Santa
  • Joey “AccordionGuy” Devilla’s impromptu performance
  • Reggie singing Silent Night
  • Rayanne folking it up with some original music
  • Marie’s Lieder performance of Franz Schubert
  • Kat Langdon‘s freaking awesome voice
  • Aidan Nulman’s blazing drum solo
  • Hannukah Herscu

Are you a visual learner? No problem! Here’s Sean’s Video from the night!