Q: Your vocal range on “Take Me to the Moon” is exceptional! Do you remember what first got you into singing and music in general?
Mike Spector: Thank you and yes I do! I’ve been singing my whole life (my Grandpa used to joke that I’d be a singer when I was a baby because I would cry so damn loud lmao) but the first time I sang on a stage was when I was six. It was for a “Telethon” event to raise money for an arts building in my town in Massachusetts. There were like ten people behind me on landline phones taking calls and donations and it was a very 2002 moment. I sang Landslide by Fleetwood Mac with my dad. It happened kind of spontaneously and I’m deeply grateful that that song was the start of my musical journey. It’s been with me through some very important moments in my life as it seems to be for many people, and this was certainly a big one for me. My earliest memories as a listener of music were my many hours long sessions of sifting through my parents’ large CD collection, and also Hit Clips if anyone remembers those. Some early highlights were ABBA, Elvis, Jim Croce, Mariah Carey, and honestly, the Lilo and Stitch Soundtrack, which goes harder than I can even explain.
Q: “Take Me to the Moon” is an amazing genre-fusing track; it has elements of pop, indie rock, and even some R&B. How would you describe in your own words what type of music you typically create?
Mike: Thank you so much! There are so many styles of music that I adore and vibes that I want to play with, combine, and meld together, and you’ve definitely hit three of the big ones. I’d say Jazz has also become a major player recently, and I can feel club/dance music making it’s way into the sphere as well, so we’ll see where that all will lead. Each record is different though and is an opportunity to try and capture something that moves me, musically. At the heart of anything that I do, my music is centered around lyrics, melody, and vocals. And though each record is dressed in its own way, my goal is that they make you see something vivid, leave you feeling lighter, and provide you with a little escape to a different world.
Q: Can you walk me through your creative process in making “Take Me to the Moon”?
Mike: Yes! Take Me to the Moon is the result of my second ever co-writing session. My producer, Arlo, (aka Dillon Scheel) found some chords on Tik Tok to write over which is what you hear in the intro. I was riffing over them for a while, coming up with melodies, and honestly being kind of shy until I eventually just let loose and scream-sang in my falsetto, “Take me to the moon!” and in 15 seconds we had a hook to write the rest of the song around! Most of what you hear in the chorus is just that original demo. We were so immediately excited about it and knew we had to finish it. Some of the song poured right out of us and some of it required lots of work and tinkering to get the right lyric and melody to make all the pieces fit seamlessly. I had also been in a tough creative block for about three years beforehand and was honestly getting pretty scared and disheartened that I might never write again, so a lot of this process was me getting the gears moving and finding my voice and vision again. It definitely worked though (I suppose the only way out is through) and I’m beyond thankful to be more in touch with my creativity now than ever. I can say with confidence that I’m going to be making a lot of music for a long time, which is such a great feeling, and I owe a lot of that to the process of making this record. It was also my first time working 1 on 1 with a producer so I finally had full permission to dream up a fleshed-out arrangement and soundscape and see it through to its full fruition alongside Dillon.
Q: “Take Me to the Moon” has such uplifting energy that is perfect for performing. Have you performed this track yet? If not, what are you most looking forward to when you do?
Mike: I’m so glad to hear that! I haven’t performed it live yet but that is definitely what I’m most excited and nervous for!!!!! Live shows are really the thrill I lust after the most and are typically where I feel the most in my power, the most connected, and the most alive. I think that’s where I can really enter the sought-after flow state and fully escape into the music I’ve made with my whole body and soul. Its often very spiritual and trance-inducing for me. That’s what I’m most looking forward to. I’m also pretty improvisational at my shows and love to explore in real time where else a melody, rhythm, or phrasing can go in the context of a song. It’s a paradoxical feeling of being controlled by the music and letting it guide you, but at the same time being completely and wholly in control in a material sense. It’s a big project to put together a live show since I’m doing this with no management or label at the moment but I’m definitely up for the challenge because the reward is just too good.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be?
Mike: This is such a tough one and I might have to cop out and do a tie hahaha. I think Caroline Polachek and Yebba are two of the most inventive vocalists, melodicists, and lyricists of our time and it’d be an honor and a thrill to work with either of them.
Q: The production on “Take Me to the Moon” sounds near flawless. What did you enjoy most about making this track?
Mike: Yes!!!! Another major shout out to my producer, Arlo. He’s an absolute gem and a ray of sunshine and positivity in this industry. Working with him taught me a lot about my own artistry and voice. He has a phenomenal ear for vocals in a recorded context, whereas my background has been predominantly in live shows, so I greatly enjoyed seeing my vocals through his eyes and learning what works and what doesn’t work as much on a record. He really produces on a level that I don’t know what else to call but wizardry. It’s just so unbelievably crisp and I’m very grateful to have that sound on this record.
Q: What would you like to tell your supporters out there?
Mike: To my supporters, my friends, and all the wonderful people that I’ve met along the way I’d like to say I love you sweet babies!!!!! And thanks for loving me <333333
Q: What’s next for you? Any projects in the works you can tell us about?
Mike: There’s going to be a lot of music coming out this year and beyond. I’ve been writing some of the best lyrics I’ve ever written and can’t wait to get back into the studio and make them into records. I’m truly just so ready to discover and explore and create a whole bunch. Live shows will also be coming soon around LA and elsewhere so definitely follow my Insta and Tik Tok (@mike_spector and @mikespector, respectively) and my Spotify page to keep up with it all! Thank you so much 🙂
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
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