We don’t get too many solo acts featuring here, so it’s a pleasure to throw this one at you. Michael himself tells you about… himself!
Simple things first – where are you from?
I’m based in Manchester, originally from Preston!
How long have you been playing as a solo act?
Probably around 10 years or so now, I started playing back when I lived in Scotland, around 2013.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
It’s just my name! I know a lot of people use pseudonyms, but my music is a reflection of myself and I thought best to just have it represent myself as an artist.
What are your influences?
I often write about my experiences, the world around me and my opinions of it all. There’s a lot of political and social commentary in my music, especially in my newer stuff.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
I describe my music as “folk-grunge”, taking the musical inspirations I have from artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Nirvana and Pavement. It’s very Northern. I try to maintain where I’m from within my music.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
As I previously mentioned, probably political and social commentary. I think romance is another, but it’s less prevalent!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
I try to change it up – some shows are more heavier, with a full amp and pedalboard setup; and I’ve played band sets in the past too, but over the summer me and my friend Harrison Rimmer played a bunch of acoustic intimate shows and they were super lush. I’ve probably played over 100 shows at this point – I run open mics weekly so I often play a few songs each night!
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What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
I’ve been to a fair few metal shows in my lifetime (a variety of influences!) and some of the walls of death are mental. Circle pits, people going a bit crazy – but always there to help people whenever it’s needed. A lovely scene!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
I have a Tanglewood acoustic guitar, and a Parker P38 electric guitar. I’ve had the Parker for years, and even have a tattoo of it as well! I also have a Vox VT40 amplifier, I’ve had it for ages and it’s always done me well.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
I recently produced an album for a band I’m in, Anyone’s Ghost – it took me so long but I’m super proud of it. Check it out on Bandcamp. In the meantime, I run a lot of shows and events through my label, Bread Records – mostly that at the moment!
What are your plans for the next 6 months or so?
I’m working on some new music, working on my own and producing others’ music, and then a bunch of shows and lots of things in the works! Busy!
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
I’d love to support Pavement, or Built To Spill. Some of the best 90’s bands out there. There’s so many to choose from to open, luckily I get to do it all the time putting on shows. One of my good pals Six Second Talk Show has opened for me before, he’s fantastic!
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