Michelle Creber – Feels Like Summer

By starrymag | November 15, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Rooted in AC with pop and rock elements.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Sara Bareilles, Adele, Ed Sheeran

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Feels Like Summer.”

 

A) It’s very inspired by LA and the constant feeling of summer you get down there. I love my home city of Vancouver, but we certainly live up to our rainy stereotype! “Feels Like Summer” was written in November of 2019, so it’s a serious testament to the weather down there and the headspace it put my co-writers and I in.

 

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

 

A) I think it’s been such a long, tough period of time for everyone with the pandemic. I really wanted to release a song that was purely joyful, simple and universally accessible. I hope it transports listeners to their favorite summer memories and also gets them excited for the possibility of finding new love as we navigate social life again!

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) To me, “Feels Like Summer” certainly represents romance but also platonic connections as well. This summer was all about reconnecting with friends and family as everyone started to get vaccinated and we were able to feature a group of my closest friends in this video! Overall, though, we just wanted to capture some perfect summer vibes with the poolside scenes, the convertible and all of the colorful imagery.

 

Q) This song was co-written by Christopher Ward, Arun Chatervelli and Luke McMaster. How did you come to work with these two talents?

 

A) I connected with Christopher Ward at a songwriters show we were both performing in hosted by a friend in common, Shari Ulrich. We were interested in pursuing a collaboration together and Christopher had been working with Arun and Luke closely for many years, so we decided to loop them in as well!

 

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

 

A) It’s everchanging. I believe you can start a song from really anything – lyrics, melodies, titles, metaphors etc. Also, the more you switch it up, the less likely you will fall into structural repetition.

 

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

A) The piano in my songs is usually my own and I create all of my own demos. I then send those demos and piano parts to other producers and from that point on, I’m guiding the tracks with my creative input.

 

Q) How do you usually shake off a long day in the studio?

 

A) I’m always very hungry during full days in the studio, so snacks are important for me throughout the day. [laughs] Other than that, get home and sleep I suppose…or at least rest the voice!

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Working on the foundations of a new project, yes…

 

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

 

A) I love the unique experience that every performance and venue has to offer, but I’d have to say any kind of concert that can be done in a big acoustic hall or theatre with a full live orchestra. There’s nothing else quite like it.

 

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

 

A) Sara Bareilles, always my answer!

 

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

 

A) Especially in an era of distance, I try to view social media as a positive force for connection that would otherwise be impossible. It’s pretty incredible to be able to have conversations with total strangers on the other side of the planet – I think it’s something we all take for granted because we’re so accustomed to it now. There is certainly a very dark side to social media, but it can also be used safely and effectively.

 

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

 

A) I am currently obsessed with the Shang Chi soundtrack, but artist wise I’m also a big fan of Fletcher right now. She’s got great melodies, stellar vocals and she’s very open and honest with herself.