“Hali-Famous” originally appeared on Mike Bochoff’s most recent album, Distractions, as an exclusive Bandcamp offer for those pre-ordering the album, but some things are just too good not to share. Now a year and a half later, the track is being released everywhere as a single. In typical Bochoff style, the song is catchy, low-key hilarious and practically demands a sing-along. It’s also a subtle reminder to appreciate the Mike Bochoffs in your life, lest they all head out West.
“The irony of the song is that I actually started my career on the west coast,” says Bochoff.
While the song laments the musician’s lack of Halifax fame, Bochoff’s explains that his career took off when he moved across the country shortly after recording his first record in 2007. From Alberta, he’d tour back and forth across Canada before returning to Halifax two years later.
“When I moved to Halifax for good in ‘09 it was like starting at square one again. It was hard to get gigs & I was basically doing open mics, hoping I’d make some connections. Eventually, I hooked up with Music Nova Scotia, hopped on a couple bills with Bruce & Mike from The Town Heroes early on (thanks fellas!) and was able to build off that,” says Bochoff.
“‘Hali-Famous’ was very much a time stamp of the frustration I was feeling during the first year of living in Halifax. I didn’t feel like I fit into the scene at all. At times, I felt like I would’ve been better off staying out west. Part of it stemmed from naivety, having spent the two years prior touring my butt off and feeling like the city owed me something, which it obviously didn’t. I had to grind it out just like everybody else.
But I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown from that experience. I wrote the song in 2010, so my feelings about Halifax and the music scene have changed a lot. The song is a lot of fun to play and it means something much different to me now than it did eight years ago.”
While “Hali-Famous” might seem like a lamentable struggle, in hindsight it has become a rallying anthem, a reminder that we only get what we put in and a challenge to fledgling bands to stick it out. Most importantly we should remember to appreciate what we do have and work harder to build on that. After all, just imagine the wasteland that’d be left in the wake of our mass exodus.
“I absolutely LOVE this city and I’m so glad I decided to put down roots. It finally feels like home now,” says Bochoff.