Interview with Lead Guitarist & Vocalist Michael J Miller of MJM





By Mick Michaels

 




COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Michael! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Michael J Miller: Hello!

CV: Give us a brief rundown of what you do in the band and what releases are currently available.
MJM: I'm the music composer, lead guitarist, lead vocalist, and leader of MJM. MJM has Zsolt Henczely on bass guitar. Tom Eakin on  drums and Stefany Dudas on background vocals.

To date, MJM have released four albums: “Ascension,” “Valley of the Kings,” “Instrumental,” and “IV.”

CV: Given so many major changes over the last decade, do you believe the music industry is a practicable and stable enough environment for new artists to even consider making it a valid career choice? Can a level of sustainable success really be achieved in your opinion?
MJM: No, I don't think the music business in its current state is practicable or stable. As modern music technology has turned music into something that anybody (not even musicians) can get a software program full of loops and beats and then put arrangements of them together to make techno music with no real musicians or musical knowledge. Most listeners of that style don't even think about this! This is a huge downfall for real musicians versus a person with a computer. 

The industry has totally changed…young people don't even know what an album is, they just download the song. Most are mentally void of any history of the artist or the album. There's so much of that computerized style of music floating around on the internet and people don't even realize there are no real instruments in the music they're listening to. Nowadays, a real musician has to do it (be in the business) because he loves it. The music business itself has totally changed. Everything is digital now and any individual can put something together and release on these digital distribution platforms who will sign up just about everything. Streaming platforms pay pennies for thousands of views or streams. In my opinion, it is very difficult to sustain yourself as a professional musician no matter how good you are! 

CV: What do you see as the biggest change in the music industry since you first started out?
MJM: When I started in the music business, you needed a recording deal with a record company and a real recording studio with a real engineer and a producer. Now people slap stuff together on their laptop and release it with a 'do it yourself' attitude. There's thousands of music promotion companies out there that claim they can make your music 'go viral', many of them are a scam. Being a music artist in the music business, everyone is trying to make money off the musician. Its' a sad state of affairs!    

 

CV: How do you see your music separating itself from your peers and avoiding just being another cog in the wheel? 

MJM: MJM's music has a Rock/Metal style of its own. With strong songwriting, great guitar sounds, terrific playing and singing by each member…it adds up to a case of the total sum is more than all the parts. MJM is really unique and they're great on stage!

CV: Has the industry’s many changes affected how you write music? Has it influenced your songwriting style in any drastic form?
MJM: The industry has changed in a serious way but I have remained true to myself and continued to write as I always have.

CV: Has digital technology led the way for almost\ anyone to be a musical artist in your opinion?
MJM: I think digital technology has led the way for almost all techno, rap and hip-hop artists. For rock/metal artists, they tend to write with their actual instruments; guitars, keyboards, drums and vocals.

 

CV: Has music in general been broken into too many sub-genres? Why do think there are so many classifications of music types? Can this be confusing for an artist who is looking to build a brand? As well, can it be confusing for the fans?

MJM: Yes, there are too many sub-genres and it is confusing. I myself am confused…so I imagine a lot of other people are as well. Example; What's the difference between death metal and satanic metal…Black metal and doom metal? Heavy metal was once almost a one size fits all sort of genre. Back then the vocals were always great. Now with these many styles, I hear all sorts of music with great instrumentation but at times the vocals sound less than great. I don't understand how great musicians would want to have their music represented with this type of vocal on top of their great playing, and even more so make it their brand. I guess that's part of the new sub-genres we're talking about. I think some fans can relate and identify with the different styles and some don't really care as long as it sounds heavy! 

CV: How would you define “iconic” when it comes to being an artist or musician? What do you think makes an artist iconic?
MJM: That's a good question.  I would consider iconic to mean a band that has a specific sound and style that has made a serious contribution to the world of music and is highly recognized.

CV: Who would you consider to be a modern day “rock star?” And is being a “rock star” something to aspire to?
MJM: When it comes to rock/metal music, most of the real rock stars are older bands now that are iconic. Newer bands that I would consider to be modern day rock stars are; Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, Avenged Sevenfold, Black Veil Brides, and Dimmu Borgir. Devin Townsend is a great one. Becoming an actual rock star is like winning the lottery. Most musicians have another skill that pays for their bread and butter.

CV: Does music need to have a message to convey to the world for it to be worth listening to in your opinion?
MJM: I like to convey a positive message when possible but lyrics can be about anything. A zany story, a love story, or a horror story…people will listen to anything if it's catchy. Quite often they can't make out what the lyrics are about anyways. My songs usually start with a guitar riff and develop into a musical arrangement with a vocal melody. I will have a rough draft of the lyrics, and then the producer and I will throw around a few ideas and eventually determine a concept for the lyrics. There is rarely a time that I have written a song that started with the lyrics first. The lyrics are usually developed along the way as the song develops. No, music doesn't have to convey a message but it's good if it does and even better if it's a good message!

CV: What's next for the band? What can fans expect to see coming?
MJM: We're booking some shows now in Toronto and we're getting offers to play in a number states in the U.S.A. A European tour would be nice. Meanwhile I've been writing new material. We may release some singles before the next album is completed. 

CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
MJM: Thank you Cosmick View for the MJM interview!

Check out MJM at:
Official: www.mjm.global


 

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.




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