A Dirty Dozen with MICHIGANDER – March 2021

According to a recent press release: “Michigander emanates a magnetic Midwest spirit, delivering uplifting anthems, raised even higher by six-string fireworks, empowering lyrics, and understated arena ambition. First brought to life in 2014 when the singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist was moving across his home state to Kalamazoo, Michigander has garnered the acclaim of NPR, Paste, SPIN, American Songwriter and many more, in addition to over 12 million streams globally. In 2016, his independent debut single “Nineties” achieved viral success, claiming real estate on multiple major Spotify playlists and cracking 1 million streams on the platform. Michigander’s two previous EPs, Midland [2018] and Where Do We Go From Here [2019], have become fan favorites. The latter’s standout single “Misery” eclipsed 6 million streams and earned Michigander his first Triple A radio hit. In September 2020, Michigander’s new era officially began with the release of “Let Down” and the folk-tinged companion track “48.” Along the way, Singer and his band have performed alongside Mt Joy, Hippo Campus, Silversun Pickups and Tokyo Police Club and graced the stages of festivals with The National, Foster The People, Moon Taxi and alt-j. For the now Detroit-based multi-talent, Everything Will Be OK Eventually marks the next chapter in his growing career.” We get Michigander to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I really think this collection of songs is my best work yet. I think there is so much intentional instrumentation in this one that listeners will pick up different things every time they listen. On the song “Headlights,” there is a reference, or a ‘call back,’ to my song “5am,” which is a cool little Easter egg.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Well, when I was 11 I found my dad’s guitar and just really got excited about the sounds and tones it made. Then, when I was a little older, I started jamming with friends a lot. Music is where I found my community when I was younger and that’s something that I think is still true today.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The first real show I ever got to see was Coldplay back in 2009. I remember being blown away by every detail of that show. I think that tour and that album Viva La Vida were very important and formative for me.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Coldplay, Oasis, U2, Death Cab For Cutie, and The National.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Would love to do something with Chris Martin. He seems like such a great person.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

People used to say I was folk music or singer/songwriter, and I always hated that. I tell people I make hard soft rock.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Aaron, my drummer, will be the first one to pick up the acoustic guitar or sit at a piano. I love cooking though, so that would probably be me!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes followed me on Instagram a few months ago, and that was very, very cool. He’s one of my heroes.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

My job is to make music, and I love doing that. It’s a dream come true. But if I had to have a day job though, I’d probably work as a tour manager.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

The starstruck question was actually a really good one. Never been asked that before. Also, this is a good question too. I’m tired of people asking me “how I write songs” because it’s always different. I think that question ruins the magic a little.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do-over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I wish we would’ve rehearsed more for our Audiotree session. I think about that one a lot. But on the flip side, that session has done a lot of good for me.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I think it would’ve been rad to be a fly on the wall when U2 made Joshua Tree. It’s so far ahead of its time. I always wonder what they were thinking in the moments they were making it.

BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?

I miss traveling and playing shows. I miss being in a van with my best friends.

MICHIGANDER LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews