| A. I’d
rather people just look at things for what they are instead
of pigeon holing. Most of the time it is good for me, I like
the Coldplay and Travis comparisons. (Michael pauses at this
point and emits a bemused look and smile before recalling;
) There was a lady in a radio interview who had no idea what
we were like. She says “Oh; you’re like Craig
David aren’t you? (His laugh gets louder) We’re
nothing like Craig David.
Q. Your
next release is the double A sided Heavy Soul/Just Kills
Me, which are both sad and reflective tracks about human
nature. Does this reflect your mood at the moment the fact
that you chose these tracks and not the anthemic hope inspiring ‘Everyone
Will Have Their Day’?
A. That
(‘Everyone Will Have Their Day’) and Spinning
will be released later. I think Just Kills me especially,
is a good choice of single because we would finish the set
with it and it turned into something more guitary.
Q. You
are being touted as “the next big thing”, what
are your views on this and do you think that hype can be
destructive as well as constructive?
A. I
wouldn’t say that I have been hyped; I’ve had
good reviews hype is like The Kings Of Leon. I’ve had
a pat on the back from Q and that, even NME who I don’t
normally like gave us 5/10 and I was chuffed.
Q. The
Half Chapter is an emotional rollercoaster of tender and
heartfelt tracks. Was it hard and painful to make?
A. I
guess so, ‘Just Kills Me’ is about a relationship
going wrong and I can’t sing it without feeling an
attachment to what I was going through when I wrote it. I
think that the theme of hope was achieved in the album, which
was hard for me, as I am not usually like that.
Q. What
do you want people to take out of your gigs? How do you want
to leave them feeling?
A. I
want people to be excited. It is early days, bit by bit we
are adding to the show. We have had a good response like
when we played Manchester Roadhouse with The Kings Of Leon,
people who were from Nottingham who came to the gig came
to see us in Nottingham because of it.
Q. You
come across as someone who has a lot of depth. What occupies
your time when you are not involved with the band?
A. I
write a lot of music, it isn’t something I can switch
off from. Even when I am in the pub I have lyrics buzzing
around in my head.. I have to get my mind off the business
side of it though.
Q. Who
or what makes you angry?
A. The
business side of things, I’ve felt letdown by things
in the business in the past. I’ve had issues with publishing
companies before and I am always on edge a few days before
signing something. I have had a smooth ride really when I
hear what some bands have been through. I write songs rather
than shout.
Q. What
song, poem or book would you say sums you up, if any?
A. Erm,
someone once asked me what song what you play at your funeral?
I said U2s Playboy Mansion on the Pop album and I think I
stand by that.
Q. What motivates you in life?
A. Ambitions,
I want to get to the point of making another album, assome
bands don’t get to do that they make one album and
you never hear of them again. I want to get back in the
studio and experiment with new songs. I grew up in a Christian
family, I am still trying to figure it out. It is good
to have beliefs and faith.
To watch Heavy Soul Full Length Video Click Here
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