SoundProof - Quick & Dirty: Mayor McCa

Have you ever wanted to play an instrument? How about two? Okay, now I'll be alienating a whole lot of people when I ask, have you ever wanted to play everything all at once? For the three of you, who said yes, look to this man for inspiration. For the rest of you, I hope your curiosity is piqued, because this guy deserves your attention.

His name is Christian Anderson Smith, a k a Mayor McCa, and he is the embodiment of D.I.Y. rock 'n' roll. Anyone who has heard the softer side of his music knows that underneath his rough exterior lies a tender, wounded heart. If you've ever experienced his live show, you know he is just as liable to heal your heart with rock as break it with ballads. If you have never experienced a live show, you are missing a unique performance. His MySpace page gives you some insight: "These body parts play the following instruments: Left Foot: Bass keyboards Tambourine. Right foot: Bass drum. Hands: Guitar, Keyboard, Ukulele, Assorted percussion. Mouth: Singing, Harmonica, and Kazoo. Multi-limbs: Tap Shoes, Clarinet, Bass Harmonica, Slide Whistle, Toys."

Originally from Hamilton, Ont., Smith has also settled in Toronto and, for the last couple of years, London, England. "At home I certainly feel like I've done something and am appreciated, but I think the U.K. offers me a little more at the moment. London especially; there are a lot of opportunities, but there's a lot of competition as well. It's healthy and keeps you on your toes."

All that competition seems to have done him a service. 2007 was arguably the best year of his career. "I guess it has been a good year. I did a tour with Nick Oliveri and Blag Dahlia." Smith's garage rock sounds have led to some unlikely pairings as well. A quick trip back to Canada had him touring with Amy Milan. "Amy and her crew were great. When she was looking at potential openers she saw my MySpace profile and thought I was an English guy. She didn't know she was getting a homeless guy from the Hammer."

Last January saw Smith touring with his favourite U.K. band, the Noisettes. On that tour he discovered another band to watch. "I love Slow Club. They're young, prolific and writing some of the best songs I've heard since I've been here."

That's better than a good year, by most standards. And it doesn't end there: "I came home to open for the big Over the Top Fest finale with Daniel Johnston. It was pretty great — a big honour." Eric Warner, organizer for the Over the Top Festival, also distributed Mayor McCa's last record, Cue Are Es Tea You. "Eric Warner is Canada's ultimate indie-rock hero."

The high water mark came at some point last June. "I kept playing in London and got to open for Feist a few times, which was wicked because she picked me out of all the people who put bids in," Smith remarks with pride. "I got a call asking to open for Regina Spektor, which is huge for me. I was playing her disc for everyone."

Not too bad for someone you know almost nothing about, right? McCa is primarily a songwriter, and, judging by the company he kept last summer, you can assume he's a songwriter's songwriter. "I wrote one the best songs I've ever written a couple of days ago. I think it is. My opinion doesn't count though."