Michael Lander

Saskatoon songwriter and guitarist Michael Lander writes and performs original rock with a blues edge and a touch of country. Named Music Professional of the Year at the 2023 Saskatchewan Music Awards, he released his debut EP, The Forgotten Experiments, in April 2023. It's the first in a four-part series, and the next two instalments, The Experiments EPb and EPa, are now being finished for release together.

Raised in British Columbia's Lower Mainland, with time spent in small-town Alberta, Michael has called Saskatoon home for nearly two decades. He attended the only high school in Western Canada with its own recording studio. He went on to take workshops and projects led by Juno Award winners Brad Turner and Hugh Fraser. For many years he's played rock, blues, country and jazz, backing other artists and honing his craft in and out of the studio. His songs draw on life in small towns and big cities, told through thoughtful, story-driven lyrics. His song “Long, Cold Run” was a Top 25 finalist in the Canadian Songwriting Competition and will appear on The Experiments EPb.

His music has aired on CKYC, CKBI, CFIS and CJTR, and he's played live spotlight features on local radio. Michael also helps build the scene he plays in. He has led the Songwriters Association of Canada's Saskatoon chapter since 2016, founded The Original Open Mic and helped relaunch the Sask Home-Grown Series.

Today he performs with his trio at Buds on Broadway and is booking shows across Western Canada.