Below, you can read our interview with Michael of Positronic. Check out our full music review of Into the Blue here.
Q: Great to be speaking with you again Michael! How have things been with Positronic since we last spoke in 2020?
A: Things have been crazy but good. I had to take some time off recently due to family situations but now I’m back to concentrating on music again.
Q: When we last spoke we talked about your then-recent release “New Life”. How was it received by your fans?
A: NEW LIFE was a moderate success. I don’t have much of a fanbase yet so it fell off pretty quickly. I’m hoping that the new album, “Into the Blue” will have more staying power.
Q: Your next release “Into The Blue” premieres in April. Do you feel this is an evolution in your sound compared to previous releases?
A: The biggest difference between “Into the Blue” and my previous releases is the mastering. After recording was complete, I thought, “This album is so good, it needs to sound as good as the music is”. So, I sought out professional mastering services and found The Exchange with Mike Marsh in the UK. Mike mastered OMD’s “The Punishment of Luxury” album and I loved the sound of that album, so I hired Mike to do “Into the Blue”. I think he did a wonderful job with it.
Q: We previously spoke about your return to performing. Have you been performing live in the last three years? Anything coming up?
A: I did a show last July at the “Rockstars of Tomorrow” theater in Norco, CA. This was my return to performing breakthrough show. It was a lot of fun, especially since I hadn’t preformed in 15 years. I have a show planned coming up at Rockstars again this May 6th for “Into the Blue”. Can’t wait for that! Plus, I’m working with the Garden Grove Amphitheater to set up a show this spring/summer with one of my music heroes, “Anything Box”. If the venue and Anything Box can reach an agreement, we will be doing the show. Fingers crossed for this!
Q: What was the recording process like for “Into The Blue”?
A: Well, the first single, “Freedom” was recorded in November of 2021 and released with Mojoheadz Records in June of 2022. And then I recorded Jump In, Close to You, and Falling in Love with You Again, throughout 2022, kinda pecking away at them. After New Year, 2023 I wrote, programmed, and recorded the remaining 5 songs, all in January of 2023. I was in “The Zone” and it was amazing.
Q: You’ve always rooted your music in themes of positivity. Does that hold true for your upcoming release as well?
A: Yes, it does. I don’t have a traditional life. I have a lot of challenges personally. So, I write from my experience which means, a lot of my music is therapy for me. I just keep pushing on, believing that putting my best foot forward, along with the help of God, will see me through.
Q: We also hear you have a side project called Defender. Care to share some information about that with us?
A: It’s Christian Worship music that is synth-based. It’s available to listen to on Sound Cloud only. It’s kind of been put on hold for now as far as new stuff goes.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences? Have they been the same across your releases or do you find different influences for different projects?
A: My biggest influences are Depeche Mode, Erasure, OMD, and Pet Shop Boys. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Phil Wickham (who is amazing!), and his music has influences me as well.
Q: What advice would you give to a younger musician looking to break into the electronic scene today?
A: I would tell them to network. Having friends in this industry is paramount. Also, make sure you have your own sound. Don’t just come out with something that is “Cookie Cutter”.
Q: Any shout-outs you wanna make?
A: Yes, I want to shout out to Claude from Anything Box, Brian and Adam from Blacklight, Darwin McD, Brady Kerr, Eric C Powell, all the DJ’s and radio stations that play my music, and to all my fans. Thank you, all!
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Yes, I’m very excited for my new album, “Into the Blue”. It’s going to be available on all music streaming platforms and music stores. It is a cut above my previous albums and I hope you all love it!
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