Michelle Albano
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Interview With Michelle Albano By Chris 1/11/05
Michelle Albano is a young fantastic singer songwriter
who plays really good music.
Her album Second Guesses which she self released
is far better than some of the stuff on Major Labels
Today
This is one Singer Songwriter who be around for a very long
time
because she is that good.
You must visit her website and check out her music.
She is that good that’s why her album was CD Of The
Week.
1. How did you get into music?
I started playing piano at 5 years old and started writing
songs at 12. I was always performing all throughout junior
high and high school – doing school plays, talents shows,
setting my keyboard up at the local Starbucks, restaurants,
open mics – playing for anyone who would listen. At 17, I
moved to New York City to attend New York University, put a
band together and began to pursue a career as an
artist.
2. What were your major influences?
I grew up in a very musical house – my Dad plays piano and
guitar and my Mom is a great singer. As a kid, I would fall
asleep to them playing and singing through the Stevie
Wonder songbook in the next room! There were always records
playing all day and night too – rock, r & b, pop, etc.
At the time I started performing, Mariah Carey had just
come out and I was blown away by her voice – so that
definitely had an impact on my vocal style – it exposed me
to r & b elements and introduced me to vocal
improvisation.
3. If you could have a three band bill who would they
be?
I think it would be pretty cool to be on a bill with Joss
Stone and Alicia Keys.
4. What has the response been to the album?
The response to the album has been really great! It got a
lot of airplay – 70-something Triple A stations were
playing it in the US — and it got a lot of good reviews.
It’s really helped me get to the next level on a lot of
different fronts.
5. How did the recording process for the album
go?
My band went in and tracked all the songs in 2 days. We
played them altogether in the same room, so that we could
capture the “live” sound as best as we could. Then after
the basic tracks were laid down, I went back in to do my
vocals and also move some things around in the tracks,
trying to make everything fit in the right place and get it
as close to perfect as possible.
6. What artists inspired you when making the
album?
Since I made the record without a producer, it was kind of
tricky – I wanted to make sure the songs came out with a
kind of timeless quality – with live instruments built
around the songs. I really didn’t want to make a record
that sounded like 2005 that would be dated in 2 years from
now. I looked to a lot of the older records that I loved
growing up for production/arranging ideas – bands like the
Beatles, Carole King, Tom Waits, Led Zeppelin, etc.
7. What made you want to go out and play
music?
The feeling you get when you play an amazing show. The
adrenaline rush is addictive – there’s nothing else like
it.
8. What are your thoughts on file sharing and the MP3
format?
Yes, share! Why not? For an independent artist, the most
important thing is to get your music heard! Not to make 89
cents per song.
9. Who would most like to record a song with?
I would love to record a song with Chris Cornell – I love
his voice. The harmonies would be amazing!
10. Do you think the Internet is good for helping
artists get known?
The Internet is a great way to help new artists get
exposure – it makes it so much easier for people to find
new music, and for artists to get new fans from all over
the world. If you can’t be touring all the time, the
Internet can get your music there anyway.
11. What bands/artists are you listening to
lately?
Lately, I’ve been listening to Coldplay, Nikka Costa, Gavin
deGraw, Keane, and Ryan Adams.
12. Who has helped you out the most?
My family and close friends have been so supportive every
step of the way – it’s great to have people who are close
to you that believe in you and understand what you’re
trying to do. These are people who come out to every single
show; listen to every rough version of whichever recording
I’m currently in the middle of finishing up, etc. Also, the
positive feedback and enthusiasm I get from random people
I’ve never met before that just happens to catch a live
show – all of that is what keeps me going.
13. If you could be on The Simpsons where would you be
playing?
I guess I’d probably be playing at Moe’s. Do they have live
music?
14. What has the response been like for your music on
the web?
The web has taken my music to so many places — I get
emails from people from all over the world. I just recently
set up a myspace account, which is a great place to share
new music.
15. Any responses from record labels?
I did some industry showcases this summer which went really
well. It was a very big step for me as an artist to get the
point where you can send your record out to major labels
and they actually pick it up off their pile and listen to
it — and then they actually dig it enough to come out and
see you perform live. My plan is to just keep doing what
I’m doing until the right one comes along…
