For many, the bravery of self-expression and authenticity often leads to opportunities and greater connection. Such seems to be the path for singer-songwriter Luca Fogale, hailing from Burnaby, British Columbia.
In the vast ocean of music, there are artists whose melodies not only touch the ears but also the soul and Fogale is one such singer, bringing raw emotion and authenticity to everything he does. But it was a journey for him to get to this place.
“I grew up in not the most expressive family,” Luca reflects on his website. “And we were conservative both in the way that we interacted with each other and the way we all bottled things up.”
Fogale, a former psychology student, dropped out of UBC over a decade ago to pursue music. One of the early highlights of Fogale’s career came not long after with his debut album, Safety, in 2016. The album received widespread critical acclaim, earning Fogale a devoted fanbase and establishing him as an artist to watch. Songs like I Don’t Want to Lose You Now and What I Came Here For showcased Fogale’s ability to blend vulnerability with strength, and drew on his comfort with emotional expression to resonate with listeners.
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But his Juno-nominated 2020 follow-up, Nothing Is Lost, saw Luca graduate from the coffeehouse to the concert hall, with a broader palette of synth-washed atmospheres, orchestral touches and ’70s soft-rock arrangements.
Luca’s new album Run Where the Light Calls came out March 24, 2023, for which he received another Juno Award nomination.
Considering the emotional depth of his music, it’s no surprise his work has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS: Los Angeles and Station 19, and catalogued over 13 million streams between Spotify and Apple Music.
And Fogale continues to explore his path and identity while being open about his journey; which is exactly what his fans appreciate about him.
“A lot of these songs are meditations and reminders to myself of how I want to live my life,” he said in a press release. “I’m still learning about what sort of music I want to make and what kind of artist I want to be. Obviously, it’s a lifelong process.”
MRG Live presents Luca Fogale with Haley Blais on June 1 at 8 p.m. at McPherson Playhouse. Tickets start at $26.25 at rmts.bc.ca.