Michael Blume – cynicism & sincerity

By starrymag | August 22, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Progressive R&B. Question-based, Queer, Uncertain, Certain, Weird, Musician-y, Soul music.  

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) The Clark Sisters, Bon Iver, Aretha Franklin, The Backstreet Boys. 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “R U Mad.”

A) My producer Dan and this great artist Shirazee came up with that hook. And they are both straight. So, it was funny. Dan pitched it to me and I was like YES. We got together and just had the hook in our heads and we made the beat and did the topline mostly in one-night last winter. It was one of those things that just came together. The song isn’t really about being gay as much as it’s about being yourself. “R U Mad that I’m me?  If so… why not go spend some more time being YOU instead of being mad that I am ME!” 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think people like stank and cynicism and self-confidence. And it’s a fun hook to say. And the production is killin’. 

Q) How did you come to work with Shea Couleé and Peppermint on the remix?

A) We approached them because they are dope artists whose ethos I felt really made sense with what I was going for with the song. One of the things I love most about drag is the unapologetic expression of the self. When we asked Shea and Peppermint about the track, they were down, and it was totally a treat to get to collab with them. 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) My process changes all the time. Sometimes it’s lyrics first, other times it’s a beat or a drum loop or a piano riff… it really happens every which way and I hope to continue to surprise myself with the journeys I take to create songs. 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) A pretty big one. [smiles]

Q) What can fans expect from a live Michael Blume performance?

A) Shows for me are about a spiritual experience where we can connect with each other and really FEEL for a little bit. I take a lot of inspiration for my shows from religious spaces — the sanctified and holy are definitely powerful inroads to the human spirit and I consider my music and my shows to be in the same realm as a religious service. When I do shows with my full band, I have my three background singers, horn players and full rhythm section. Sometimes more. So, there is a lot of energy, the band is chopping out, we dance, there’s choreo, story-telling and theatrics. So, in short,, it’s church + theater. [laughs] 

Q) Where did your upcoming EP get its name?

A) We live in a dark time where Donald Trump is president and is eroding our democracy every day while also promoting white supremacist ideals and disregarding the dignity of millions of humans. It’s definitely easy for me to be cynical and pessimistic about the world. But at the same time, I am sincere in my belief that music and art can make the world a better place, can create empathy, can help structure spaces that will fight against the terrorism of Trump and his people. And so it’s both — it’s cynical and sincere. And this EP is a lot about opposites or contradictions. I am cynical and sincere. I am a man and a woman. I am happy and sad. I’m buttoned up and I am a slob. And I can be all those things at once. 

Q) What songs off your cynicism & sincerity EP are you looking forward to performing live?

A) I really love doing “I Wanna Know” — it’s a slow ballad and there’s a lot of room for the band on it. 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

A) That they can be anything they want including things that they think don’t “make sense” in the same person.  And that no matter who they are no one else can be better at being them than they can.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Bowery Ballroom in NYC is one of my favorite venues. It’s the biggest room I’ve headlined in NY and I love it very much for the great memories I’ve had there. 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Lizzo. 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I love Daniel Caesar’s album — I love his textures and melodies. I love the tone of his voice. I love how he features other singers all over his records. And I love his commitment to musicianship. 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) It’s 2018 the kids are online now! If you ain’t appearing on the screens you’re disappearing in between. Tap tap tap! Pop pop! Post post! How many likes did ya get today????

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) It still amazes me when people learn the lyrics, make a dance video, cover the music…To all the supporters I really just say thank you for the support and I am so glad the music is connecting with you. And please stay tuned and stay close cuz I am in this for the long haul and it’s really just the beginning…