Published: May 22, 2009 9:38 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight May 2009 Edition
Michael Lee Warner
Michael Lee Warner
Michael Lee Warner is a mastermind of creating unique spiritual music that will enlighten and connect you "to the human race". Michael mixes several musical genres into one harmonious sound that illustrates the super talents of the artist. If life is short and talent is immortal, the Michael epitomizes the ultimate creativity. Check out this interview that I recently completed with Michael. Enjoy!
Isaac: What was the best part of 2008 for you musically?
Michael: After many years of musical exploration and experimentation, I finally saw how to reach my goal of a globally-influenced music. The decisive moment was pulling out recordings of my two years playing Spanish style guitar with a band of Syrians who performed only Arabic music. During this time, I learned a good deal about Middle Eastern rhythms and the basics of the Arabic maqam scales. In 2008, the result was to complete the writing of New Moon Rising. This song uses melodies of celebration from Arab, Jewish, and Western cultures along with Middle Eastern and tribal rhythms. Once this was done, I had a clear idea of how to create global compositions, fresh, original, yet still based on strong elements of what I call "ethnic integrity" that captures the purity of a culture without compromising or diluting its identity. From there it was an easy step to take my knowledge of other cultures and do the same thing, Yoruba fanga beat in "Dancing the Light," Sabar traditions in "Seed of Senegal," Chinese ceremonial drumming in "From East to West." At the same time, this music is grounded in Western traditions, drawing from everything from classical music to folk and metal. I then started to record the CD Black Smoke Moon which has just been completed.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Michael: Definitely putting together the show "New Moon Rising" where I presented my global music concept to a small but appreciative audience. A video of one song "While We Wear the Crown" is on my myspace.com/michaelleewarner, as well as a concept video of the song "Drug Street." The process leading up to the show was an intense, but smooth six months of preparation, totally rewarding from start to finish.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in area.
Michael: The story of the Tulsa music scene reflects a vanished glory of the past and a total paralysis of forward movement in the present. The same bands play the same songs at the same venues at the same time week after week. There are fewer and fewer venues for original music. I mention the Soundpony as one of the brave few. That said, Tulsa is a great place to hone your skills, forge your vision, and it has a reasonable economy; therefore it's a great bolt hole if you're hiding out from the world. I have benefited from these things. I am especially fortunate to know some great people here who have helped me tremendously. They have made all the difference. However, once you are ready for movement outward, it's time to get out of Oklahoma.
Isaac: What has been the best venue to perform at and why?
Michael: The best venue for my music is the Nightingale Theater, a small venue with theater seating, a good size stage, and great lighting. The audiences there come prepared for a concert experience. I've been fortunate to play there twice since September.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Michael: So many influences, and as your saying goes in Junior's Cave…Life is brief, creativity is infinite. I have learned and tried to absorb the tradition of American popular music, from spiritual to hip hop, to have a feel for the whole tradition without leaving out anything. I have tried to do the same with other cultures and civilizations East and West. I own as much global music as I can afford, and, actually, that is all I listen to anymore. When I think of individuals, two come to mind. I have been heavily influenced by the warm and magnificently human voice and guitar of Mississippi John Hurt. I have learned to sing and play a good deal of his work which I use as a touchstone to a man of great humanity. I would like to think my song "How the World is Changed" is in the spirit of John Hurt. The other is Bill Miller, Frank Sinatra's long time accompanist and arranger. As I've done with Hurt's music, I've learned many of Miller's fantastic piano arrangements of the Sinatra standards during his Radio Years. At least weekly, I play these songs and always will. Miller's main influence on me is compositional, how to use a supreme melodic invention, surprising changes of key and rhythm and almost spooky chord coloration. The solo piano in my song "Lifting of the Veil" is an example of Miller's influence. I would briefly mention the Syrian lute player, composer, and educator Adnan Diab who led the band Amar, the Syrian group I mentioned earlier. His playing and dedication to music left a huge impression on me, especially the speed, precision and passion of his flat picking style, using the Arabic lute's equivalent of a pick that still amazes me today when I hear him play. Great musician, big influence.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Michael: World music is now commonplace and there is a lot of it out there. However, it often reflects a single culture, or, in compilations, a series of separate cultures. My concept of global music is to blend cultures within a single song. My approach is so much the same as yours with Junior's Cave, to connect the human race. An example of this writing technique is the guitar lead to "Eighth Day of Creation." It begins with a phrase from Ambrosian chant, follows with a riff from an African tribal dance, continues with a sliver of an East Indian melody, followed by a passage from the Kuwaiti lute player Hamid and, finally, a straight riff of Classic rock. These are the roots, though when combined in the framework of the song, a creative transformation takes place. The roots become barely noticeable. But they are there. Think of them as ghosts of the human race. By drawing together these voices of the world, I think of my music as a calling of the lost tribes. I feel this will bring an ultimate idea of "unity in diversity" to the music industry.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Michael: I think musicians who are also producers of world music. The two that come to mind are Ry Cooder (Buena Vista Social Club) and the Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart (Planet Drum). I relate to their understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. I would hope that they might find value in my concept of blending cultures within a single composition, while preserving, in part, the unique identity of each culture. I'd like to see how Hart, with his genius for ambient and rhythmic textures, would produce "Dancing the Light," with its Yoruba beat.
How would you describe your music to others?
Michael: Unity in Multiplicity. It is multicultural, yes, but also multi-genre with lyrics that often have multiple meanings which are relevant on various levels of social and personal experience. Yet the music seeks to unify these different levels. Other than that, driving electro-acoustic rhythm centered sonic performance. Exploring and embracing our deepest and most human emotions, both light and dark, and celebrating them. Music with a vision of this planet's future, the inter-connectedness of all peoples.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from fans about your music?
Michael: My most popular songs with fans are "New Moon Rising" and "Drug Street," the latter a song about the addictive power of money. In general, I've been told my music has diversity, depth, energy; informative about the world as well as musically entertaining. Some quotes from My Space comments: " a strong since of musical adventure"…interpreting sounds, beats, and ideas from various genres and cultures, then blending them to truly create an original vision"…"metal meets folk meets global fusion"…lyrics thought-provoking and emotional"…"not always 'pretty' but beautiful and powerful in its complexity"…" a new way of seeing the world."
Isaac: Where can fans locate you online?
Michael: I have a site on myspace.com/michaelleewarner This also contains my blogs on various subjects which frequently highlight multicultural connections. For instance, the blog "In the Beginning, the Beat" explores the primacy and universality of rhythm both natural and man-made. My music is for sale by download at Moozone.com. The direct link is http://moozone.com/artist/1250/Michael_Lee_Warner
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in the next five years?
Michael: Continued growth. I love the freedom of being a solo writer and performer. At the same time, there are definite limitations. I would like to put a band together around the global concept. As much fun as performing is, when I accompany myself with the two kick drums, play an overdriven acoustic guitar and sing, the result is sometimes wild and a bit unnerving. I'd like to add a percussionist, a drummer, and like-minded musicians on other basic instruments. I especially will keep writing in the global vein. Most importantly, I want to work on connecting my music with people from all over the world and make these connections as personal as possible. Right now, I am looking at Europe and have made progress in Germany, which is a start. My recipe for the future: Faster, further, longer, louder.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans.
Michael: …My mother, who gave me a strong foundation in music at an early age…my father, who always made sure I had decent equipment to get the job done. Friends are foremost in keeping my gig going body and soul: I'll just mention Susan, Pamela, John, Gary, David, and Joni, Mike at the Soundpony and Amber at the Nightingale Theater. Of course, a big SHOUT out to you and Junior's Cave for this opportunity and for giving me a chance to highlight a fundamental fact, the need for global interconnectedness.
Isaac: Final words…
Michael:"Cleanse the doors of perception" as the poet William Blake wrote, so that you see everything as it is, infinite. There are a lot of good people on this planet. Reach out, be curious, and only connect to a future where your neighbor will be living halfway across the world, and across the street is another civilization waiting to be explored.
