Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I started playing piano when I was five years old, and I sang in elementary choir and middle school musicals. But it wasn’t until I was fifteen when I started to play guitar. I was inspired by punk bands like Misfits, The Briefs and Sex Pistols and over time I became more interested in alternative rock bands like Nirvana, Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Microplanet in three words?
A: Atmospheric, epic and emotional.
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: Social media, mainly Instagram and my website are how I keep my fans updated with any news about shows and whatnot. I love interacting with people directly at shows. It’s exciting to see them respond with your music and maybe even chat afterwards. My fans, the fact I can say I have fans, are a big motivating factor for myself to continue making music. Getting to share it with people and know they are into what I make is an incredible honor.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘Submerge’. Is there a story behind it?
A: The album is about past experiences and relationships and learning to let go of them. Each album by Microplanet is meant to be it’s own “planet” and come with its own themes, vibe and element. In Submerge’s case, this would be the water planet. Submerge as a title symbolizes submerging yourself in a cleansing way, washing away all of your fears, anxieties and things that may have held you back. It’s my reflection upon pushing myself to embrace my musical aspirations and “Submerging” myself into my creative processes.
Q: What is your favorite track from the album and why?
A: Definitely Whirlpool. I really love how the song has a slow crescendo into a massive wall of sound at the end and how the lyrics reflect that tension. The solo’s a lot of fun to play too!
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the album, “Submerge”?
A: The entire album was recorded in my bedroom by myself using a digital amp and electronic drums. I used to record in big traditional studios, but music technology has advanced so much in recent years I could do most of what I wanted at home. This allowed me to spend more time with my writing process and explore different sounds, tones and techniques. It was a very liberating experience because I got to have the freedom of writing whatever kind of music I wanted by myself, not having to feel limited by genre or conflicting ideas with other band members. I felt I got to make the album I always wanted to make.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for Microplanet so far?
A: One of our first shows out here in San Diego was at a record store called FeeLit Records and that was an absolute blast. It had always been a goal of mine to perform in a record store, so that was a big check off my bucket list. We had a lot of great opening acts from open mics we had played around the city, so it felt like the whole family was there. The album is for sale in-store too, which was a huge accomplishment.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: Auto-Drift is a song that I think really sets the blueprint for Microplanet’s sound. There’s all this interesting layering of melodies in the verses but then the chorus comes in and takes you to another place. It’s a crowd pleaser when we perform it live, especially for people not familiar with the band yet. I think it establishes the spacier sound of my take on alternative rock.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into Microplanet’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: Music has always been a passion of mine and an incredible outlet for dealing with life. Whenever I’m going through a difficult period, music is something that always calms me and even helps me overcome it. I find that being able to express myself through art and connect with people with it boosts the confidence in myself, and maybe I can share that energy back into my audience. Most of my favorite music was by people who were being completely honest with themselves, who they were and where they were at. Being able to create art that connects with other people in a similar way is a beautiful thing. I’ve had people tell me their music has changed them, and even saved their life, and to know that my music has had that much of an impact is inspiring in itself.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for Microplanet, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: My current goals are to get a distribution deal with a label and perform a festival. I hope music can become my full time career and believe that my music needs to be shared with the world. My message for my fans is to never give up, trust yourself, and if you really want to do something with your life put all of your energy into it and do it.