Michael Fairman – Other Side

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Pop/Soul or “blue-eyed” soul – and not because I have blue eyes. [laughs]

Q) Who are your musical influences?

A) I am influenced by so many artists – in terms of their sound and their songwriting. They include: Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, Harry Styles, For King & Country, George Michael, Stevie Wonder, Adele, Tinashe … I could go on and on.

Q) Tell us the story behind the inspiration for “Other Side.”

A) “Other Side” is at its core about being in the throes of one of the darkest times you may have in your life – and in that moment not knowing the answer of how to get through it– but having that realization that I must fight the fight, even if I am knocked down; whether it be from emotional, physical or relationship challenges, etc. – that you get back up, because you must never lose hope.  At the time I wrote “Other Side” I was facing some very difficult decisions that could impact me for the rest of life and I had to pull myself together and have the strength to walk through them to, as we say in the song, “get to the other side.”

Q) Why did you decide to write “Other Side” and utilize music as a social platform to address the current issues?

A) I could not have predicted when we released the single in March of this year; that literally a few weeks later we would all find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic and crisis, followed by the social uprising and unrest in the fight against racism that erupted in our country.  But when you apply the lyrics of my song to what we are experiencing now, and its message, how could I not address current social issues of our time with this song? A great song is something that people can relate to, feel something from and connect to, and I hope “Other Side” can be of some inspiration to people at this critical time in our country.

Q) “Other Side” is your third collaboration with producer and engineer Kyle Mangels. What do you like most about getting to work with him on your music?

A) What I like most about working with Kyle is he knows to clear out the scented candles and incense out of the recording studio or else I will have an allergy attack and not be able to sing!  Just kidding! But that’s a true factoid for you.  Seriously, Kyle’s sense of sound and instincts in the studio and as an engineer are extraordinary. I always said if I went back to go back to my music later in my life and career, I would only do it if I had someone to work with that could help make my vision come true – and Kyle has done that for me now three times over and I am forever grateful to him and are collaboration continues.

Q) You also released a music video for “Other Side.” How did you develop the concept for the video?

A) The concept of the video had to be altered numerous times due to COVID-19.  I had locations scouted and set to go and ideas and themes based on them, but at one point, Los Angeles was in lockdown and then it was very iffy if a location would open back up and let us shoot a music video in their space.  Fast-forward to the summer.  I found a boxing ring and gym that was in downtown LA that was off the beaten track that could provide me the backdrop of the fight analogy and the isolation in the song.  Once I had the boxing ring, it came together for me.  The narrative of the story would be video moments illustrating all types of struggles and ultimately triumphs in life from: domestic violence, equality, the rights of the disabled and the elderly, the fight against systemic racism, COVID-19, soldiers at war, the plight of the homeless, etc.  In the end, you could say it was worth the wait to produce this video just right to honor the song as written and since COVID-19 forced me to change course (because we could not have a large crew of actors, dancers, musicians or anyone when filming due to strict health protocols), it kept us lean and mean and, ultimately, I don’t think the video would have been as effective without all the delays.  How art comes together is often a story all in itself.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from the song?

A) To show yourself self-love and to remember you are worth it, no matter what life has thrown in your way.

Q) Is there a potential full-length album in the works?

A) Yes, there is and I am so glad you asked.  As with so many artists, I found myself thinking I would be able to go out and play live in support of my new single in front of audiences at venues and gigs, but because that did not happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic it afforded me the opportunity to hunker down and write more songs and material. Now, it’s just about getting it all recorded which is being done virtually. A lot of the time I have my own semi-quasi “studio” set-up to record some vocals in to pass along to Kyle.  Hopefully, soon I will be back in a real recording studio which I prefer.

A) If given the opportunity, who would you love to collaborate with on a music project?

A) I would love to duet with Dua Lipa! I think we just might sound great together, or at least in my dreams we do! I also would love to do a song with Brandi Carlile, who is such an amazing singer/songwriter and producing-wise to collaborate with Mark Ronson who brings the magic to Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus and so many other artists with his exceptional tracks.

Q) In addition to your music, your YouTube channel showcases a healthy collection of celebrity interviews. What has been your favorite interview to date and who would you love to interview on your channel in the future?

A) I have a few favorites for different reasons – earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee and Donna Mills who celebrated the 40^thanniversary of the classic CBS drama “Knots Landing” in which they starred.  It was also one of the last ones I did prior to the pandemic in-person, where now we do Zoom interviews virtually.  In the future I would love to interview more musicians and icons like Stevie Nicks, who has had such a colorful life and has a new concert movie and single out, or someone like Shawn Mendes to talk about fame at such a young age. I’m always looking for celebrities and subjects who have a story to tell, a message or that I just generally … need to talk to! The channel is also filled with wonderful chats with many of the stars of daytime dramas if you are fan of the soaps.

Q) With working in TV Production and Entertainment Journalism, how has your experience in those fields of the entertainment industry helped you in your music career?

A) Certainly, a career in entertainment journalism helps me with navigating interviews, knowing how I want myself presented out into the world in terms of quotes, or the visual imagery I want to portray in my projects or music.  Also, in the pace of producing for TV and digital media or pop culture journalism you are constantly on deadlines and because of that, at some point, you have to bring the story or project to a conclusion and let it go out into the world.  That has been a great lesson for my music – in that – you have to wrap up that track or song eventually and release it out into the world or no one will ever hear it.

Q) What would you like to share with your fans & supporters of your music?

A) First, I would like to say new music will be on the way soon and my next single will be out before the end of the year, so keep an ear out for it! And if you are just finding out about my music for the first time, you can check out more music videos of mine on my YouTube channel or my other tracks on Spotify and Apple Music.  Finally, I want to thank everyone who has been supportive and appreciative of my work. It’s not easy diving into a music career at this stage of my life, but I am doing it full-force and I hope we can change the perception that great musician come from people of all ages and types and you too can have a hit record, even if you’re not in your 20’s or 30’s and you’re a new artist to the masses.