Following the immense success of ‘Anaxiphilia’, the supremely talented artist, Ms. M|CHL gets candid with our team. Follow to know what she has to say about her work.
Revealing her presence on the contradicting ends of the spectrum, the gifted artist Ms. M|CHL has been consistently offering blissful music to the audiences. Brought up in rural Oklahoma, the black female artist had started her musical journey from the tiny age of five, while singing in the church with her family. And, at the age of twelve, she had discovered the connection between music and her soul, and its strength of healing the human mind through creative songwriting.
Her musical works are heavily influenced by her love for Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Nine Inch Nails. This fact is pretty evident in most of her tracks and the recently released debut album ‘Anaxiphilia’ as well. This 13-piece musical extravaganza reflects the epitome of musicianship that the black artist possesses.
Having worked as a backup singer for many hip hop artists, Blues bands, and a Latin pop singer, Ms. M|CHL has evolved with time and earned the needed experience for making it big in the industry. And, with this new album of her along with producer Jack Siege, she is set to rock the industry to its core. The melancholy yet blissful words, unconventional vocal lie, fascinating influences of R&B, Soul, Pop, Grunge, Indie-pop, Rock, and Electronica, present within the fragments of ‘Anaxiphilia’, make it an exquisite presentation of music that just cannot be missed.
Following the release of her debut album ‘Anaxiphilia’, our team got the chance of having an interaction with the songwriter and artist Ms. M|CHL to know how she prepared herself for the track, her musical journey, and her plans for the future. Here is how the interaction went.
Daily Music Roll: Hello Ms. M|CHL. Congratulations on the success of Anaxiphilia, how long have you been working on this project?
Ms. Michl: Thank you! I started writing the album about 2 and a half years ago with David Moriarty. We blazed through about 7 songs very quickly and started performing a lot around LA. After about a year and a half, with almost all of the songs written, we met Jack Siege who came on as Producer. We then focused on recording and production and that took about 10 months.
DMR: What does the album represent?
Ms. Michl: Hmmm, so many things really! Anaxiphilia is my expression of the “Hopeless” in all of the Hopeless Romantics out there. It is meant to be a full spectrum journey to all the corners of our hearts, whether we are falling in love or healing from heartbreak there is a vast array of emotions that occur. I think this record represents all the things/ feelings we have inside us all the time but may be leery of tapping into.
DMR: How has your approach towards music changed over the last few years?
Ms. Michl: Since working with David, I am learning to trust myself more. Before, if I didn’t have a full song written lyrically, I wouldn’t share it. I would put so much pressure on myself that things had to be perfect in order to get to the next step. During the writing of this record I came up with just one line and we would play around with ideas for it fairly often and one day, the rest of the story just came pouring out of me and we finished writing it fully in 2 days. Had I not just let go and trusted myself and David, I would have never finished finding the lyrics.
DMR: Which track of this musical collection is more personal to you and why?
Ms. Michl: They are all my personal story so each one holds a very special place in my heart. However, Remembrance Prayer is a song that bares my soul in a particularly intimate way. My biggest fear, since I was a very little girl, is to be forgotten. Writing that song and then sharing it has been an emotional choice. It is as honest and raw as I have ever been. But that is also what makes the song so good! I hope people connect with it because it is real. REALLY REAL! Ha, ha!
DMR: The sound design of the tracks is pretty refreshing and unique. How would a live performance from you look: solo, full band, or backup vocal?
Ms. Michl: We can’t wait to perform this record live! It will definitely be a full band. Not sure if we will have backup singers yet but I would love to include them! The energy of this album loud and live! My God! I can’t wait!!
DMR: Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your musical journey?
Ms. Michl: You know, so many artists inspire me every day! Many of which, I sound nothing like! I mean, Prince has always been my number one influence but mostly because he was not bound by genres, or styles, or trends. He did him and it just so happened to be the best thing ever. I strive for that and I am working towards that strength and confidence with all my might.
DMR: What is your plan after having witnessed the success of this album?
Ms. Michl: I am not sure! Everything is completely up in the air right now. I am still working on getting the record out there for people to hear it. Since there is no way to tour or perform live shows, I am just focused on promoting the album so when the world reopens, I’ll be ready!
DMR: Do you have any plans of performing live in the near future?
Ms. Michl: I really can’t wait to be able to perform again. My hope is to earn a spot on the Festival Circuit whenever it starts back up. And I would love to be able to tour as well. I want to share these songs with as many people in as many places as possible!
DMR: Would you like to collaborate with any contemporary artist?
Ms. Michl: Of course! I would love to work with Active Child, Phantogram, Odezsa, Childish Gambino, or Moses Sumney. And I will forever dream of the moment when one of the Greats like, Dave Grohl, Beyonce, or Elton John hears my music. Maybe they will like what they hear and give a sista a call! Ha, ha! Fingers crossed!
DMR: Is there any new musical project lined up or are you working on something new?
Ms. Michl: I have already started writing for the next album but I am really enjoying this time of sharing Anaxiphilia with the world.
DMR: What do you think differentiates you from the rest of the artists of the industry?
Ms. Michl: Well, the industry is so vast! I am just trying to be me and not let “standards” or “expectations” hold me back. I am proud that I put out a record that wasn’t bound by genre or category. Anaxiphilia reflects me and my soul; it is my story, and no one can tell it but me.
DMR: Is there something else you would like to say?
Ms. Michl: Arrest the cops that killed Breona Taylor. Black Lives Matter.
Thank you. Love you all.
