THE ECLECTIC INTERVIEWS RETURN

Hello everyone, hope you are well and thanks for stopping by to check out this week’s interview. As the summer solstice approaches I’m always listening out for something special to celebrate our cosmic movement and I’ve found it. Since seeing this artist perform live and mesmerise the crowd alongside being blown away by the atmospheres and music he creates, it had to be time to interview fellow Eclectic Picks curator… Michael Donoghue  

NO BETTER PLACE TO START THAN THE BEGINNING
ARP: What were the defining sounds and artists of your youth that first sparked your interest in music, and have they influenced your work today?

MD: I’ve had a fascination with music for as long as I can remember. Luckily, I grew up in the 90’s, and it felt like during that decade there was a hugely diverse range of tunes being played on the radio.

Oasis probably had the biggest effect on me when What’s The Story… was released. I loved the singles for a start and it’s the first album that I can remember listening to properly. It had mainly been compilations and Now CDs up until then.

The electronic scene felt like it was booming towards the latter stages of the 90’s. ‘Right Here, Right Now’ was the first single I bought, and it felt like big beat and trance was taking off and being played everywhere. Then I started to really get into hip hop at the turn of the millennium as I was going through secondary school.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how they’ve influenced my work, but there must be some subconscious elements that have crept into the creative process.  

ARP: What was the first electronic music track that made you stop in your tracks and think “I need to create something like this”?

MD: It’s more a case of “I wish I could create something like this”, but I’d go with ‘Open Eye Signal’ by Jon Hopkins. That tune has mesmerized me since I first heard it.

 ARP: Can you walk us through your journey from first experimenting with making music to developing your current sound? Were there any pivotal moments or failures that redirected your path?

MD I’d say that early on I leaned too heavily on my influences and that I was trying to recreate the sound of other artists instead of focusing on my own sound. I also rushed a few projects and probably should have held them back and spent more time on them before releasing. Making music was very new to me so I was excited to start putting things out.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve moved away from those habits, and I feel like I’m growing into my own style and sound. I’ve also learned to sit back and be more patient.

 ARP: Beyond electronic music, are there any artists or genres from completely different musical worlds have influenced your production style in unexpected ways?

MD: King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard for sure. Their output and willingness to experiment and try different genres are very influential. They’ve tried it all and I like the idea of having a completely different sound or concept for each album I put out. I also dig the early 70s krautrock sound. Bands like Can and Cluster. I love the freedom, rawness, and originality in what they were creating.

 ARP: 4D continuum is a piece art, I love it. Is there a metaphors or message hidden in it?

MD: That’s very kind of you to say. 4D Continuum was one of those rare compositions that came together very quickly. I’d been sitting on it for over a year before deciding to put it out. There aren’t any direct metaphors or hidden messages, however, I was reading Brave New World around the time I put the track together. Make of that what you will.

ARP: Are there any of your own tracks which are your favourite? If so, why? 

MD: AF and 4D Continuum from my latest EP. They signify the direction that my music is moving in and were a joy to create.

ARP: The independent electronic music scene is thriving with innovation. Which emerging artists should we be paying attention to right now, and what makes their work stand out to you?

MD: There’s a lot of good stuff out there. I’m genuinely surprised that you’re not world famous by now! I’ve got a lot of time for Pulses, Minimums, Norrisette, Marble Stars, and 98 Poly (the list could go on). It’s all about innovation, mystery, and the ability to write a bloody good tune.  

ARP: If your musical journey and aesthetic were adapted into a Netflix series, who would play the main characters and what would be the central theme or storyline?

MD: What a question. It would be a good old coming of age story set on a ship travelling through space to find what’s at the edge of the universe. A story of self-discovery, finding purpose, and adventure. Seeking what’s within whilst journeying through the unknown in the hope of breaking through to something more magical and mesmerizing than you can ever possibly imagine. Starring Gary Oldman, Olivia Colman, Tramell Tillman, and Zendaya.  

ARP: What’s the independent music scene like in Jersey, and is there a string electronic abstract scene? 

MD: There’s a great independent scene over here, especially with guitar music. There are brilliant artists putting out and performing alt rock, prog, indie, etc. Unfortunately, the abstract electronic scene isn’t too hot, but that could change. Maybe that’s something I need to sort out?

ARP: What’s the most meaningful piece of feedback you’ve received about your music, and how did it affect your creative process moving forward?

MD: It’s all about moments of encouragement for me. Every like, share, song/album purchase, radio play, playlist add, and review encourages me to keep going and keep moving forward. Having music released through Irregular Patterns has helped too. The team there continue to keep pushing me and shielding me from my creative comfort zone.

ARP: Looking ahead, what musical territories or collaborations are you eager to explore, and how do you envision your sound evolving over the next few years?

MD: I’d love to play more live gigs, so I’ll be making that happen over the next few months. With regards to my sound evolving, I’ll continue to channel the muse and see what she has in store for me. There’s definitely been some progression and I’m looking forward to releasing the projects that I’m currently working on. I’ve started to write lyrics and poetry which could find it’s way into my music when I’m feeling brave enough. It would be nice to start incorporating some vocals and to have the opportunity to collaborate with a vocalist or two at some point. Who knows. The possibilities are endless.    

MICHAEL DONOGHUE’S MUSIC

Theres lots to check out here. Immerse yourself. 

Michael Donoghue on Bandcamp

Michael Donoghue on Spotify