What is your name? Michael Lanza
What is your genre of music? Pop
Give us a li<le bio about you. I’ve been playing music since I was 3 years old. I play Violin, Saxophone, Guitar, Bass, and Drums, and can pick up pre<y much any instrument and learn it on my own. Even though I spent my life as a musician, I didn’t start singing or wriLng songs unLl about 3 years ago. I’ve come a long way very fast thanks to my musical background.
What made you go into music? My parents gave me violin lessons when I was 3 years old. They pushed me really hard my whole life and eventually I found my own path in music.
Who are your influences? Sting, Fall Out Boy, Linking Park
Are you a signed? Yes, to Hitskope Records
You released your new single ‘Islands’, tell us more about the single. The song has a chill dance beat. Chow Mane raps the details of the story in the verses, and I bring it all together in the chorus. It’s a very meaningful song about heartbreak, friendship, and mental health.
What is the meaning behind the single?
The song is about the inner turmoil a lot of us keep hidden in an effort to keep the people surrounding you in good spirits. Even close friends might not know just how much something is affecting you.
What was the wriLng and recording process like?The instrumental for Islands was one of the first beats I ever made. We wrote and recorded the song in an afternoon in my bedroom in Oakland California.
Describe the track in two words. Heartbreak, Journey
Who did you work with on the track? Chow Mane
We will also see a video for the song, what was the creaLve process like? The video took a couple months to finish. We had 3 days of storyboarding, 2 days of audiLons, 4 days of locaLon scouts, and 4 days of filming. We had more than 15 people on set each filming day, so it was a lot of fun. It felt very professional and organized.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect from it? I just released my debut album “Human” a couple weeks ago. I’ll be releasing a short EP early 2021
Do you have any online shows coming up? None at the moment, but early in 2021 Yes.
What else can we expect in 2020 and Early 2021? In early 2021 I’ll be releasing a short EP and most likely the lead single from my second album
Do you have any collaboraLons coming up with any up coming artist? I’ve written dozens of songs with friends, but I’m not sure which ones will be released yet
Would you be up for collaboraLons if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact? Yes, they can contact me or my manager 🙂
Do you play any instruments? I play Violin, Saxophone, Guitar, Bass, and Drums and can pick up pre<y much any other instrument
How do you get inspiraLon to write songs? Most of my material comes from observing other people, and some from personal experiences.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years? I see myself on tour with a large fanbase
When you’re not doing music, what do you do? I’m usually geeking out. I read a lot of books on finance, and emerging technologies.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene? A Team by Ed Sheeran
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? The difference between who you are and what you want to be is what you do.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist? The first songs you write are going to suck, but you’re not going to realize it until you’ve written a few dozen. My advice would be to write A LOT of songs.
What quote or saying do you always stick by? Action cures fear
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit? Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first?Griffith Park
2/ Who do you see first? Best Friend
3/What do you eat first? Avenue 26 Tacos
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget? Water, Tangerines, Chapstick, Gear, Pants
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you? My socials are all @michaellanzaa
