Robex Lundgren virkblogg. - interview with Michele McLaughlin

interview with Michele McLaughlin

13 februari 2015, 14:07

What´s the name of your band? Michele McLaughlin

How was the band formed? 2000

Can you tell about your band?

Michele McLaughlinis a Contemporary Solo Pianist& Composer. She has released fifteen albums, many of which have received multiple nominations and awards, including "Album of the Year", "Song of the Year" and "Top Picks". Her original solo piano compositions are often described as "musical storytelling" and are haunting and contagious, relaxing and beautiful, peaceful and touching, energetic and inspiring. Her music is a regular favorite on Pandora Radio and is a bestseller on iTunes and Amazon, often landing her in the Top Ten New Age Charts. You can listen to Michele online via Whisperings Solo Piano Radio, Pandora Radio, iTunes Radio, Spotify, XM/Sirius and Music Choice Soundscapes. Michele performs and tours regularly and runs her own in-home concert series in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"McLaughlin is what I refer to as a "heart on her sleeve" composer, i.e. there is no subterfuge, no subtlety at work in her music - she presents her emotional intent of a song forthwith and front and center. It's a testament to her considerable talent that this baring of her soul always works so well, because in the hands of a lesser talent, the music would be melodramatic, overly self-conscious, and would grow tiresome. However, it's not just her technique and artistry, which is impossible to ignore, but also her artist's soul, which seems woven into every piece of music she writes. No matter how pyrotechnic she can be (and this woman can really play piano with the best of 'em), there is always the presence of heart, sometimes "in your face" and sometimes between the lines, but never hidden behind artifice." Bill Binkelman- Wind & Wire and Zone Music Reporter.

Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band? Michele McLaughlin (solo artist)

What was the ambitions of the band when you started? To create music and release albums, grow my name and my brand, and hopefully make a positive impact on my listeners around the world.

Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? My music is solo piano, instrumental contemporary piano. I describe it as "Musical Storytelling To Inspire And Excite The Imagination".

Where was your first gig? At an assisted living center, I played for a large group of elederly and senior living residents in March 2007.

Where was the latest gig? At my home in Utah. I run an in-home concert series featuring pianists from around the country.

Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? I write all my own music. There are no lyrics. I compose for solo piano.

Who has the best since of humor in the band? Since it's just me, I would have to say I'm the funniest.

What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? My music falls into the "New Age" genre, but it's really just contemporary instrumental.

Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? I didn't pick it, I just love playing piano. My songs are very much a musical diary and journal of my life. It's about my emotions, my adventures, and the way I view the world.

Do you write your own material or mainly covers? I write all my music. The only covers I have done are of traditional Christmas songs on my Christmas albums.

Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they?

I have released 15 albums.

I've also been featured on multiple compilation albums as well.

Do you have any clips on YouTube? Yes, my YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/user/nali22btm/

How old are you?/What got you started in music? I am in my early 40's. I started playing when I was around 5 years old. I started composing when I was 8 years old. I started releasing albums when I was 26 years old.

At what age did you start playing? I was 5 years old.

How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? I was 34 years old when I first performed.

Best/worst gig you've played? A cable access show. It was very awkward.

What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? My CD Release Concert is on 2/20/15 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Where have you played from then till now? I have played all around the United States. California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado.

Witch band is the best you´ve seen?

Brandi Carlile three night extravaganza in Salt Lake City, Utah

Loreena McKinnet in Salt Lake City, Utah

Mumford & Sons in Salt Lake City, Utah

Is it always the same songs live? No, my shows vary every time I play.

What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Confluence, PA- definitely my favorite show on my big Summer 2013 tour.

Have you had any bigger tours from start to now? We had a big Summer 2013 US tour. We played 30 shows in 26 states. It was an incredible experience.

How big crowds do you usually play for? Typical crowd is 30-60 people.

What are the plans for the rest of the year? Firstly, I am in the process of releasing my fifteenth album, Undercurrent. I will be focusing heavily on that for the next three months. I have my house concert series scheduled for the year and will be playing every 4-6 weeks. I plan to do some smaller tours this year as well, and work on new projects.

Where do you usually play? My home, other people's homes, piano stores, performance halls, churches.

How do you get psyched up for a gig? It's as simple as scheduling one to play.

What are your goals with your music? To continue creating music and releasing albums, growing my name and my brand, and hopefully continuing to make a positive impact on my listeners around the world.

When did you decide to go all in for the music? I made music my full time career in 2007.

Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? I find inspiration in music that moves me, regardless of the age or time period of the music I'm listening to. If it touches me, and moves me, it inspires me.

What are your sources of inspiration? Nature, places I travel to, adventures I go on, things I experience, emotions I go through, moments that move me.

What's the first step when making a new song? I sit at the piano and noodle around. If something catches my ear, I will work on it and develop it. Songs, for me, are usually written in a matter of moments.

How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? For me, personally, I like to buy my albums online through iTunes. If I do buy physical CDs, I always load them into my iTunes library and put the CDs themselves in storage. If you're referring to music being illegally downloaded instead of purchased, then I am completely against it and wish that people would respect music as an art form, and as a means of making a living.

What would be your dreams for the band? I would love to play in big performance halls someday. And I'd love to meet some of my industry idols.

Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? I listen to a lot of folk music, rock, new age, film music, and singer/songwriter style music.

What do you hold most dear? My gratitude for life, and the blessings I have. My family and friends. My joy.

What would be your greatest fears for the future? The music industry is ever changing. I worry that it will take a turn and make it so that being able to earn a living from music won't be possible.

When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Completely botching a song and bombing in front of the audience.

What songs and what years were they released? I have a collection of over 200+ songs. All released from 2000-2015.

Have you been part of any other projects?

Yes, I've been featured on several compilation albums.

Relaxing Piano for Alzheimers Research

Whisperings: Solo Piano Volume 1

Christmas Whisperings Volume 1

SLMIMA: Music In Motion

Music That Matters

Have you been in any other bands? No

What do you work with outside of the band and the music? I don't work outside of music, this is my full time career.

What would you do if there was no music? Probably go back to Project Management, or find joy in working with other people somehow.

How important are your fans? They are essential.

What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? I had a fan at a concert come up to me and hug me while she cried. She told me that my music was helping her survive cancer. It was an incredibly moving moment and I was deeply touched.

How often do you rehearse? Every day, I play for 2 hours a day, sometimes more.

Where do you rehearse? At my home.

Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment?

The Space Between from Undercurrent

Evolution from Undercurrent

What do you feel is the best live band you've seen? Loreena McKinnet

What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Musicians typically love to play... they're doing it because they love to play. If they're doing it for the sole purpose of making money and making a living, then they're doing it for the wrong reasons. Playing music should be about the love of the music. If you love it, then people will connect with it, and being able to make a living from it will be a pleasant side effect.

Do you have any webpages?

Official Site: http://www.michelemclaughlin.com/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/michelemclaughlinmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michelemclaughl

Instagram: http://instagram.com/michelemclaughlin

YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/nali22btm

Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Don't give up, keep following your dreams, work hard to make it happen.

Describe your show, visually and musically My shows include my piano songs, and the stories that inspired the music. It's a very interactive experience.

How do you view the musicindurty of today? The music industry is a constantly changing landscape and we must all work hard to adapt.

What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Over saturation of the market, and people not paying for music.

Tell us about upcomming gigs and why we should be at them? My concerts are a lot of fun, and they're inspiring. You'll experience the music with me, and live the stories while you listen. It's a musical storytelling experience you're sure to love.

How would you describe your sound in one sentence Inspiring

Whats your Pre-show ritual? I like to mingle with the crowd and visit with them before my shows.

Do you have anything to add? Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you.

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