Hi Michael, and welcome to College Radio Charts! How has your summer been so far?
Hello! My summer has been about recording and creating. I finally took a vacation and am in my homeland of Italy on a vacation with family, blessed for sure!
Can you tell us a little bit about your musical journey? How did you get your start? Did you grow up in a musical family?
My musical journey started when I was 13 years old. My brother-in-law Pete had my father buy me a bass guitar. Shortly after, I met Michael Anthony from Van Halen, and everything changed. Music was in my blood. My brothers are both singers, my sister is a professional singer, and my mom, rest in peace, was a singer. Currently, my wife (www.everythingshayna.com) has two albums out, my son Julien Fiore has a new band (www.wearemaddisonfalls.com), and my oldest son (www.whostaylor.com) also has many releases. We are very much and have always been a musical family. I have had the joy of opening for bands like Van Halen, Poison, and many more. I toured for 13 years with Gary Puckett and The Union Gap all over the world, playing with so many influential bands like The Turtles, Bo Didley, Chuck Berry, The Mamas & the Papas, Three Dog Night, and so many more. 13 years is a long time. After that, I recorded music with an indie band, and (as bands do), we broke up as we were on the signing table. Things happen. I have currently been working on engineering and producing Maddison Falls and working with my wife Shayna on another project called “Always Will’ which we plan to release this year. We are musically busy!
Your new single, “Draw the Line,” has a very distinct sound. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this track? What was the creative process like for you?
Songwriting is definitely a trip, sometimes songs just appear. I had no intention of writing this song, there was no previous idea. One morning, not long ago I woke up with this melody in my head. It was 4am – I spotted a guitar that had a capo on the 5th fret, and I never placed it there (my son Julien must have). I picked up the guitar, and in one hour, the entire song was written—lyrics, music, melodies, and all! I spent the next two days recording it in my home studio. It was then sent to be mastered by Tim Craven. Done from nothing to ‘ready to release’ in 5 days. This has NEVER happened before, and the intention of releasing it became a priority.
The Michael Perspective seems to be a deeply personal project. How does it differ from your previous musical endeavors?
Well, with all the music flowing at our studio and home, it is all a surprise, really. Sure, I’ve been a musician forever, but the intention to release this was not a priority initially. Sometimes the universe gives you a gift, and “Draw the Line” is exactly that for me.
You have nearly four decades of experience in music. How has your approach to songwriting and producing evolved over the years?
Songwriting has always been a focus. I’ve never really been in a cover band, as writing songs brings me the most joy and sense of accomplishment. It is clearly my outlet. Besides co-owning a creative agency (www.weareanyone.com), I get the opportunity to create there, I am a director and have directed many things, including winning an Emmy award in 2022, so my life is creativity. My family is creative.
Your voice has been described as raspy and reminiscent of blues-rock greats. Have you always had this gritty vocal texture, or has your voice changed over your career?
No, my voice has literally varied and adapted to the song, and this song called for a very natural rasp. Many of my previous recordings carry some of the same characteristics; however, I’d say I adapt to the environment. I’ve always been a singer, and these days I adapt to whatever the song needs the most.
Recording in your SoCal home studio must give you a lot of creative freedom. How does this environment influence your music compared to working in a traditional studio setting?
Having a studio at home has always been a dream. I have created a space with killer gear, great instruments, and I have learned to be an engineer with the help of my oldest son since COVID. I continue to explore, learn as much as possible, and connect with the energy of the studio in the back house. In fact, we call the room and company “The Back House Music Company,” a sort of studio/indie label.
“Draw the Line” is a blend of bluesy guitar and hypnotic percussion. How do you go about merging different musical elements to create your unique sound?
“Draw the Line” came to me quickly. I played all instruments, all vocals, and everything in one day. It was clear what it needed to be. I even played wood spoons that were gifted to me—Heritage Musical Spoons out of Canada—which make a very cool sound.
Can you elaborate on what The Michael Perspective represents both musically and personally for you?
The Michael Perspective is something I’ve had in mind for quite some time—a way to express anything and everything from my perspective. Being creative is everything to me, and this is that outlet. It’s my eyes and ears on the ground and in the world.
Your music appeals to both classic-rock enthusiasts and contemporary guitar aficionados. How do you balance staying true to your roots while also attracting a new generation of fans?
Well, this song came with no intention of a certain style, and honestly, I am not sure what my next song will be. I’ve always been a rocker, but I’m extremely inspired by folk music and singer songwriter vibes; The Avett Brothers, Angus & Julia Stone, and a million other diverse artists. I am excited for the next song and will not close myself off to one specific style, all the while making sure the fans I gain don’t get confused. In other words, I won’t do a disco song next LOL!
What are some of the hard-earned lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that have influenced your music today?
BE YOURSELF! Write. Write. Write. Original music is what I believe in. Sure, some songs will suck, some won’t. I can only hope that those I choose to release are the ones that don’t suck. Ha ha ha!
You’ve self-produced “Draw the Line.” How do you approach production, and what are some of the challenges and rewards of producing your own music? Can you walk us through a day in the studio? What does your creative process look like from start to finish?
Well, the studio is completely set up. I have great gear: many guitars and basses lying around, drums, percussion instruments, etc. I record using Ableton as my DAW. I switched from Logic Pro and love it. There are lots of options, and it became the best for me. I also have full suites of plug-ins from Universal Audio, Waves, Yurt Rock, and Nueral DSP, which help me get the sounds I need to be diverse. A typical day is usually spent playing acoustic guitar and writing ideas, picking up a bass, or scraping on the piano. There are lots and lots of ideas.
How do you see the rock genre evolving in the coming years, and where do you see The Michael Perspective fitting into that landscape?
Rock music is, to me, indie music now. The industry is a trip, with artists having more access to the world than at any other time in our history. That said, you have an industry trying to acclimate, and some streaming platforms are taking complete advantage of musicians and bands. It’s sad, really. Musicians deserve better. I’d say Apple Music and Tidal are my favorite platforms. Being an engineer now as well as a songwriter, you want the work you put in to make a song sound good to actually sound good when people hear it. High-resolution streaming of lossless audio is the best option for that.
Who are some of your musical influences, and how have they shaped the sound of The Michael Perspective?
I love this question, but it is the hardest for me to answer. I am extremely diverse in what I listen to, and it changes at different times. Bands like Twenty One Pilots, Coldplay, and U2 are very inspiring, The Avett Brothers are huge to me, as are Angus & Julie Stone, Dope Lemon, Radiohead, Shayna, Pearl Jam, Maddison Falls, The Eagles, and pretty much all songwriters. I listen to so much music that truly inspires me. “Draw the Line” had no intention. It just happened, and I sure hope people dig it. I really dig it myself, so that is a good start.
With such a long career, you’ve seen many changes in the music industry. What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry, particularly regarding rock music?
Rock is tough. Most bands that are killing it out there that are rock bands were artists that already made it before the major changes in the industry. Most artists breaking through these days are pop, hip-hop, r&b, or indie. There are exceptions, like the Italian band Maneskin. I love how they’re a band but are also very individual. Pretty great!
What artists are you listening to these days? Are there any dream collaborators you’d like to work with?
I’d love to collaborate with Coldplay, The Avett Brothers, or really any Rick Ruben artist. I realize those are big dreams, but ya know I’m a dreamer, and I’m not the only one LOL
Thanks so much for spending some time with us today, Michael! What can fans expect next from The Michael Perspective, and where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
I will continue to write and release music. My website themichaelperspective.com will have links to everything; my instagram will have a link tree and YouTube will officially premiere my official music video for “Draw the Line” on June 28th. THANK YOU so much for your time! Super grateful.
