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M:
I feel, having completed “Clear”, like there’s one less item on my
“things to do before I die” list. Why did you
decide to release a solo album after all those years? Maybe you weren’t
satisfied on Saga after all? M:
My level of satisfaction with Saga had nothing to do with my decision to
write “Clear”. Was it a
coincidence that your solo album was released in the same time period that
the new Saga album will be released as well? Did that thing mean a lot of
pressure to you? M:
It was never my intention to have “Clear” & “Network” released
at the same time. It would be crazy to be in competition with myself on
purpose. That’s why “Clear” is only available through limited
distribution for the time being. The priority, for the moment, is the new
Saga album and tour. Well, by
listening to “Clear” it was good to see that you didn’t tried to
copy yourself on Saga. I mean today many musicians are releasing solo
albums and in the end the album is like the new album of their band. Did
you think about that while you were recording the album? Did you plan to
avoid it? M:
I’ll never understand why any musician who finally does a solo album
feels the need to make sure that it sounds like the band they work with.
After all, isn’t a solo album supposed to be an expression of one’s
individuality? Why
did you title the album “Clear”? What do you mean with that? M:
The title of the album is reflected in the lyrics of the title track.
Although “Clear” is not necessarily autobiographical, it is an
intensely personal piece of work. Why
“Clear” is so smooth and calm? Did you plan to do such a thing? M:
If “Clear” comes across as “smooth and calm”, it was not entirely
intentional. All the songs were written over an 8 to 9 year period of
time, and perhaps reflect the various moods and emotions that I was
experiencing during that time. Can you
tell us some things about each one of the new and the old songs of the
album? M:
“Who’s Sorry Now”: Two dysfunctional people, who find each other,
become co-dependant and eventually drag each other down. “Who’s Foolin’ Who”: Essentially a story of substance abuse and the futile attempts to hide the problem. “Too Much Time On My Hands”: A bittersweet ode to lost love. “I’m Not The Enemy”: Probably the track that sounds the most like Saga, it’s about a “problem”. Child in conversation with his parent-appointed therapist. A good showcase for the band. “Can’t Let Go”: Deals with our inability to accept the death of a close friend or family member. “Lonely”: Someone who’s been burnt in a relationship & now has trouble being “close-up & personal” with others. “One Minute”: This is a straightforward pop song that speaks for itself. My wife calls this one “the cheeky song”. “In The Name Of Love”: The music for this one was written by Thomas Schmitt-Zijnen & reminds me a little of Canadian artist Gino Vanelli. “Why We Lie”: Sometimes in life it’s necessary to tell “little white lies” in order to spare someone’s feelings. “One Heart”: This song is about being stubborn when it comes to giving forgiveness & how good it can feel when one finally does. “Surrender Your Heart”: Being in a state of denial about being in love. “Clear”: This is the most personal track on the album, and directly relates to events that led up to the single-most life-altering moment that I have ever experienced. Can
you characterize your music? M:
That’s funny, I was hoping someone could tell me! Isn’t that what
critics are for? (interviewers note: I think of the same too!!! J) Are you
totally satisfied with the new album? Which are those things that you
would change if you had the chance again? M:
I’m 100% satisfied with “Clear”. I don’t believe in 20/20
hind-sight. If there were any aspects of the album I wasn’t happy with,
I wouldn’t have made it available to the public. How’s the
reaction of people about the album? I mean, the fans and the press of
course. Do you think that “Clear” will please the Saga fans? Did you
want to? M:
So far the album has been received very favourably by the fans and critics
alike. The only negative comments have come from those expecting it to
sound like a new Saga album, and as I have said, as much as I would like
to please the Saga fans, “Clear is all about self-expression”. Some
journalists say that you are one of the most underrated singers of rock
music… What would you say to them? M:
Thank you! I would much rather be an under-rated “well kept secret”
than an over-rated laughing stock! What
inspires you in order to write songs? M:
I’ve been lucky enough to have never had serious “writer’s block”
when it comes to the music. Lyrically I find that there’s never a
shortage of inspiration when simply observing “normal” human behavior. Will
it be a second solo album after some years? M:
There will definitely be at least one more solo album and it will most
likely be “Clear” pt.2, lyrically speaking, although I haven’t a
title for it as yet. What do you
think about rock music nowadays if you compare it with the 70’s or the
80’s era? M:
It seems to me that music for the last decade or so, with a few
exceptions, has lost a lot of the humanity that it had in the 70’s &
80’s, although lately I’ve noticed a slight change in the weather. Is it so
easy to become popular but also easy to fall from the top especially
today? Do you agree with that? M:
All I can say is, make as many friends as you can on the way up, because
you’ll need them to help you land more softly on the way back down! And some
Weird Questions now, to relax somehow!!! Which are the things that piss
you off from today’s music industry? M:
People making “music” for all the wrong reasons! Do you
think that that a band can be helped from the internet or only problems
and no money can get from it? M:
I think the internet is a wonderful tool for an artist looking for another
way to reach people they can’t reach through traditional methods, i.e.
radio, live performance, etc. Do
you consider yourself as a rock star? M:
My family does, and I know better than to disagree with them in the
meantime! What would
you tell to someone to convince him to buy your album instead of hundreds
others that are being released every month? M:
My step-daughter has her eye on a rather expensive college for the future,
so, if anyone’s interested in furthering a beautiful 15yr. old girl’s
education, please get “Clear”! (interviewers note: Hahaha…
Michael is a very smart “opponent”!!) If you were
a God’s messenger what would you tell Him to do for the good of
humanity? M:
I’d tell “Her” to stop people from making music for all the wrong
reasons! If
your career was a movie… which movie would it be and why? M:
“O Lucky Man” starring Malcolm McDowell, because that’s how I feel,
it applies to me, I’m very fortunate! If you were
obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that which would
represent the whole human music… which album would it be and from which
band? M:
The Beatles – “The White Album”… Which band
do you believe that can take a leading part in the rock scene in the
future? M:
I’m
not sure that band exists right now. Which
are the top 5 rock albums of all time according to you? M:
a) The Beatles – “The White Album”. b)
Genesis – “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”. c)
Gentle Giant – “Three Friends”. d)
Queen – “Sheer Heart Attack”. e)
10cc – “Original Soundtrack”. How do you
imagine that the music world could be, one thousand years from now? And
why? M:
First of all, I’m not sure that the world will still be here 1000 yrs
from now, but if it is, it will either be 100% digital and inhuman or a
complete return to basics. Which
is the most overrated band today? M:
Nickleback… (interviewers note: I totally agree with Michael!!!) What
are the biggest life lessons you’ve learned over the course of your
career? M:
Take nothing for granted; Always trust your first instinct; If something
seems too good to be true, it probably is and… Always remember that what
goes around comes around! Imagine
that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for
herself an expensive ring. How would you react? M:
An album collection is replaceable, your reason for living is not. Ok, Michael
those were my questions. Thx very much for taking the time to answer them!
Just leave a message to Grande Rock readers if you want to... M:
Message to the readers: Greetings and best wishes to all Grande Rock
readers. I’ve never been to Greece, so I’m looking forward to seeing
all of you some time in the near future, so until then remember, life is
short so be good to one another and enjoy every moment. Michael. by Thanos Aggelakis |
Hi
Michael… it was about time to release an official solo album. How do
feel about it?