| JC | ||
|---|---|---|
| External links | ||
New Music Feature: |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||
"Pop Rock Juggernaut Invades Los Angeles!" | ||
Michael Stollaire is our next spotlight in the online pages of Music Now. Coming all the way from Los Angeles, California Michael has been proving to the music industry that he has what it takes to be where he is at now. With such influences such as Good Charlotte, Green Day, Panic! At The Disco, Asia, Nightwish, Evanescence, Van Halen, .38 Special, Boston, Journey, and Styx, Michael is not stopping anytime soon. Check out a recent Q & A Michael took the time to complete for Music Now.
Q. What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
A. I just released my "Trinity" EP last week (http://www.michaelstollaire.com and http://www.MySpace.com/theankhproject) and am working on production of my album, "Holy Avenger!" Also, being signed to an AWESOME Indie label, Jet Speed Records, who has treated me so very well, and just as importantly, allows me to express my artistic freedom in my music.
Q. What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?
A. Well... I am a Type A, and had my patience removed at birth, so waiting for important events to be announced, and getting my music recorded as quickly as possible, without sacrificing quality can be frustrating at times. In general, you must develop a thick skin, to deal with all the rejections that come your way, and really take advantage of celebrating the victories, no matter how small. In short, you must NEVER let anyone steal your dreams away, and if anyone gets in your way, go around them or through them if need be! It's like my song, "Knock the Walls Down" says: "No one's gonna slow me down. I've got TNT inside of me. Knock the Walls Down!"
Q. What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).
A. Well... there are a lot of things going on... I try not to think about it too much, or I'll get too excited for my own good! *laughs* ;) Like I said before, two releases are out or on the way, I've got a world tour starting on October 6th in Los Angeles (to be announced within 1-2 weeks), at Zen Sushi where a promo video for "Watch Her Walk" will be shot, endorsement contracts and sponsorships are signed and being signed. Be expecting a HUGE press release within a couple of weeks! Top-secret projects? Well... I'm glad you asked! I am actually going to start working with an EXTREMELY talented vocalist, Maresa Scott, who helped me out with background vocals on one of the songs on my EP, "Just Like Yesterday," this next week. I am going to be writing all the music, and co-writing lyrics with her, whilst she does the singing, and I do what I don't do so well: shut my big mouth. ;) In other words, no singing for me, so the world can see how great she is!
Q. What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?
A. Well... one time, I played a little impromptu concert in Waterford, Ireland, where I was working and recording the initial demos I did around 6 months ago, and I asked my hotel's management if I could play in their party room, which wasn't so big, and had pretty bad acoustics, filled with people in the wrong age range, and as you're aware, there are no bagpipes and flutes in my music ~ worse yet, I don't sound like U2, The Cranberries, or Sinead O'Connor! *laughs* let’s just say it was "interesting." ;)
Q. In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?
A. Well, in fact, I've written songs about the places I've traveled to, including "Island Blues" from my current project, which is all about the marvelous Green Isle, Ireland! My mood is affected by the weather, my interactions with people and different cultures, etc., and these emotional elements make their way into my poetic lyrics and music ~ very influential! Of course, when I am home in sunny SoCal, in L.A., my mood is normally quite bright, and I find myself extremely motivated to write, record, and gig!
Q. When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?
A. I've been rather prolific as of late, writing 5 new tracks in the last couple of weeks. Really liked the stuff and I'm developing it at this very moment! The last song was called "Knock the Walls Down" and it's about overcoming whatever obstacles appear in your life, so you can make your dreams come true!
Q. As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?
A. More! As I've become involved in the Indie movement, it made me aware that a lot of super talent is out there, and my tastes are generally eclectic, from acoustic to metal, and this influences my own style, so I want to be totally open-minded, or should I say, open-eared? ;)
Q. Lately, what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)
A. Generally, music like mine, pop-rock and AOR, but I delve into heavier stuff, like goth and metal ~ I love the power and adrenaline behind it! Old and new, as I've seen where the newer groups, like Korn and Evanescence/Nightwish, have gotten their own influences.
Q. Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?
A. EDDIE VAN HALEN! He is the reason I picked up a guitar, and thank God for that! He re-invented rock guitar, and is the most innovative player that ever held a 6-string ~ they're out on tour right now, and sounding as great as ever!
If you haven't checked out "Eruption," the most incredible, face-melting guitar solo of all time, download it now!!!
Q. What's the saddest song you've ever heard?
A. "Faithfully," by Journey. It has a personal meaning that I can't really put into words, as I can relate to how the music lifestyle can put a huge amount of stress on relationships, which I am experiencing right now myself. Tough!
Photo used in this story was provided by Michael Stollaire.
