Project Description
Interview with
MIKE WATSON
by Vicky Hebbs
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In the past few years, Manchester-born singer-songwriter Mike Watson has made his mark with some incredible pop music. His debut single ‘Lying For Love’, is fast approaching 1 Million streams and his follow-up ‘On Fire’ was added to New Music Friday playlists across the globe. Fan connection though, is still a vital part of Mike’s career. He embarked on a U.K tour last year and made a point to meet old and new fans alike. This connection with his fans, is part of his latest “Pledge” campaign. A vehicle for fans to not only purchase exclusive content & merch, but become a part of Mike’s journey as he gears up for the release of his debut EP in 2019. (One of the offers gives fans the opportunity to have Mike perform in their living room or local venue.)
Music has always been a part of Mike’s life. Picking up the guitar at a young age, with encouragement from musical family members, fanned the flames for a serious addiction to songwriting. Fast-forward to today, and Mike has developed into an accomplished guitarist, drummer and songwriter. It was this set of skills that initially prompted a blistering career in his first band, who toured Europe & Asia and achieved #1 singles success in Japan. Eventually, the band went their separate ways. But Mike took that that experience and moulded his lessons into a determination to achieve his own solo goals.
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Has song writing always been a part of your life? When did you know you wanted to have a career in music?
Since I was young I’d always write songs that I’d play to my family after dinners and things… most were absolutely awful and I still have some of them recorded on my laptop.. but that’s where they will stay! I dreamed of having a career in music but it wasn’t until I got found on YouTube that I thought it could be a reality! I count myself very fortunate.
What kind of music did you grow up on? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
I grew up in a musical household and my dad especially passed on the music bug. He’d constantly introduce me to his favourite artists and I vividly remember a lot of The Eagles, Cat Stevens and Santana to name a few. Obviously these artists were some of the first I’d ever heard and I think my ear for harmonies comes from hours of listening to the The Eagles – the best harmony writers and performers EVER!
Can you remember the first time you picked up a guitar?
As a family we moved around a few times and when we lived in Philadelphia I remember my Dad gave me a guitar and we’d spend hours trying to toughen up my fingers so they wouldn’t hurt when pushing down on the strings. That would have been about ’97! I started young..
How does it feel to have nearly 1 million streams after releasing just three singles?
I’m extremely happy with the reaction of the first two songs to date. I’m really excited for how everyone receives this next one as it’s slightly different to the last two. 1 million is a great number, but 10 million is even nicer ;)
What inspired you to write Black and Blue, with its slower pace than your first two single releases?
It is a slower pace than the last two. I think after two such up tempo tracks I wanted to show a different side to my writing and I this song allows you to have a deeper connection to it than possibly the last two do. Not everyone is happy and full of beans all the time, and neither am I, so going to the studio that day, this song just flowed from the mood I was in!
If someone had never listened to Mike Watson before, what song of yours would you recommend if they could only listen to one?
Black and Blue of course ;) But to be honest I’d say it depends on what they were doing… if they were ready to go out for a mad night then Lying For Love or On Fire as they are up tempo and will get you in the mood! But if you wanted to chill out then Black and Blue for sure.
How does writing songs as a solo artist compare to being in a boy-band?
I much prefer it. I get to write the melodies I want, the lyrics I want, and go the direction I want. I had a great time in the band and learnt a lot, but I much prefer having control. With 5 opinions it can get a bit messy and no one clear direction is taken. I live and die by my decisions, which I am more than happy with.
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How did you get to the place you are in now, after your career in a boy-band?
I had to take the leap of faith and leave the band to go solo, which was a daunting task as I was then on my own for the first time in years with no support etc. But I believed in myself and worked hard. It was scary at first, but I don’t regret it for one minute!
What was it like to tour with Maroon 5 as a support act?
UNREAL. They were one of my favourite bands growing up, so to get asked to do that was literally a dream come true. Playing such iconic venues and have my family come see me perform at them was something I will never forget. They were lovely guys and made us feel at home right away! I actually got really sick halfway through the tour and James Valentine joking said If I didn’t get better soon he’d take my place… I’m sure he had 1,000,000 things to do at the time but the fact he took the time out to drop me a line sums up the guys they are.
If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
My answer for this would change all the time.. But right now I’d have to say Keith Richards. I saw The Stones live this summer and it blew my mind. I feel like he would show me how to tour right;) Not sure how my voice would hold up, but it’d be an eye opener for sure ha.
How have YouTube and social media helped you to get your music out there?
Massively. Having access to that many people and the ease to engage with fans in a click or two is a game changer. My covers have been watched by millions of people, so before YouTube reaching that many people would have been just impossible. Saying that it means the competition is so much more, but that’s ok. You just have to believe in yourself and cross your fingers!
What are your major goals for your solo career in the next year or two?
I’d love this single to beat the first two streaming wise and I’d really love a support tour! Touring and live is the best part of what I do, and playing big shows is really the buzz every artist wants. I have plenty music to come soon and hope everyone enjoys it.
What are your goals or milestones for the longer-term future?
World domination? Too much? Ha. Charting high in the UK, playing my own Arena Tour and for my family to see me headline The Etihad stadium… I am a Man City fan and have had season tickets with my family for years, so for them to see me there would be out of this world! I can see my Grandad’s face now!
Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please?
Album – Too hard to answer…. Anything from The Eagles Greatest Hits to Post Malone’s Beerbongs and Bentleys, via Oasis’ Definitely Maybe….pretty mixed bag I know.
Artist – The Eagles, Coldplay, Maroon 5, Oasis. More recently I’m a huge fan of Post Malone and Khalid!
Movie – Snatch. Classic!
Place – Bangkok, great childhood memories
Meal – Steak and Chips– medium rare with bearnaise sauce
Drink – An ice cold corona!
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