Michael Mayo – Bones

By starrymag | June 4, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) This is a list that could take up an entire page! But to name a few: Ella Fitzgerald, Donny Hathaway, Bobby McFerrin, Brandy, Becca Stevens, D’Angelo, Luther Vandross, Earth Wind & Fire, Sarah Vaughan, Tigran Hamasyan and Stevie Wonder among others.

 

Q) You come from such an incredible music-based upbringing! What was some advice your parents offered from their years in the music industry that you took to heart?

A) My parents have always encouraged me to follow my own musical path and to not devalue myself based on other people’s standards. That mentality has made a huge impact on my life and career.

 

Q) What did you take away from your time at Thelonious Monk Institute that helped shaped you as an artist?

A) My time at the Institute was such a special couple of years for me. I learned to hear and experience music on a much deeper level. One of the lessons that most stuck with me is how important it is to always be in service of the music and not in service to yourself. If you lead with that mentality, you can’t go wrong.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “20/20.”

A) This song is about reflection. Taking a moment to really think about mistakes you’ve made and using those lessons to your advantage moving forward. I think so often we just skate by those experiences and try to forget them, but I think it’s important to look back and learn.

 

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

A) I love this question! If I had to guess, I’d wager that people relate to feelings of regret. But the song is upbeat rather that sad or mournful and I think people might latch onto the optimism of that.

 

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

A) I usually start with some sort of progression or groove and then once I create a vibe I like, I’ll come up with melody then lyrics. It varies from song to song but lyrics tend to be in the latter part of the writing process for me. I like to create and really dive into a sonic world, really get acquainted with it, and then let that tell me what the song is about.

 

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

A) I co-produced this album with the great Eli Wolf, who I’m so fortunate to know. We worked really well together. Before we even went into the studio, Eli and I had meetings over coffee where I played him demos and we talked about the sonic landscape of each song. The production process was very collaborative. I brought in demos and charts for all the songs and then the overdub process changed from song to song. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of about this record, the fact that all of us, the band, producers and engineer, had a hand in creating the overall sound.

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your new album Bones?

A) This album explores ideas about identity and authenticity, both of which have been increasingly important for me over recent years. I’m a huge fan of being frank with yourself about the things you think and feel and the obstacles you face and being proactive with your own growth.

 

Q) What songs on the album hold a special place in your heart and why?

A) All the songs on the album are special to me for different reasons, but the few that stick out right away are “Hold On,” “Robot Man” and “Silver and Gold.” “Hold On” is the last track on the album and it features both my mom, Valerie Pinkston, and my dad, Scott Mayo. My parents are a huge reason why I do what I do today and having that song on the album was the perfect icing on the cake. Robot Man was a huge emotional journey for me. I remember thinking when I finished the demo and was listening back for the first time, “This sounds like what I feel like inside.” I had never had such a clear realization like that before. And, finally, “Silver and Gold” because it memorialized a special time in my life that brought a lot of clarity about a lot of things.

 

Q) What tracks challenged you the most to create?

A) The title track “Bones” was especially challenging for a couple reasons. It took me a long time to find and tweak the lyrics. The melody, harmony and rhythm came pretty easily, but the lyrics and arrangement definitely took some time to figure out. And “Stolen Moments” was challenging because it was just me in my bedroom recording 250+ vocal tracks. Figuring out layering, textures, sections and sounds required a special attention. I tried to ride that balance of infusing all the layers I felt were necessary without crossing over into gratuitous territory.

 

Q) How did you shake off a long day in the studio working on this album?

A) Well, I live fairly close to the studio we were recording in, so I found the walk home great for decompressing. Also, it was the perfect length of time to listen to any bounces or demos again and gather my thoughts for how to approach the next day. Then, when I got home I mostly would spend a couple hours playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on PS4, which was always a welcome palate cleanser.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from checking out Bones?

A) Honestly, I hope that it can encourage people to take chances and be more curious about the world and sounds around them. I love to explore new textures and feelings, so I’d hope that this project can help someone else do just that, be it musically or personally. I think it’s so important.

 

Q) The album is ready to drop June 4th! How do you plan to celebrate the release?

A) I know I can’t believe it! I’m gonna be having a few get togethers with friends and family to listen to the record. I’m gonna be going back home to LA for a little while. I have a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in a long time back home so I’m excited to celebrate the release with them. I’m also just excited to have the release behind me instead of looming in the distant future!

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

A) I think most of all, I just miss that positive feedback loop that comes from being in a room with real people making real sound and having real time reactions. I’m a really social person and interacting with show-goers and with my band is truly one of my favorite things to do.

 

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

A) Oh I love this question. There’s so many people. Off the top Bobby McFerrin, Brandy, Tigran Hamasyan, Frank Ocean, Emily King, Noname and Moonchild. I love all of their music and I’d collab with any and all of them in a heartbeat.

 

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

A) Right now, I have Brandy’s album b7 on repeat. Her vocals are just stupid good. I’ve always loved her music and singing, but this album feels like she’s accessing something totally new and personal. It has a lot of surprising twists and turns, I’m all about a surprise when listening.

 

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

A) I’ve had a lot of really interesting musical opportunities and fan interactions come my way because of social media. Obviously, I think it’s important to prioritize a healthy relationship with it, but if you can figure that out, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. I like to use social media as a kind of workshop for new ideas to get people excited for upcoming shows.

 

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

A) I’d just like to say thank you! Thanks for the support and all the kind words. I’ve always been about the music first and I love to see how many people are on that same frequency. I stay inspired because of all the amazing art that’s always being made, so to everyone who’s listening to this project, thank you for the inspiration!

 

 

Watch The Music Video for “20/20:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U36Z-gHJHA

 

Watch The Music Video for “You and You:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ7k4J5KnV8

Watch The Music Video for “The Way:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoXmXbaFR8w