“Mosaic” provides the initial preview of Michael Steele’s forthcoming EP (of the same name), a live-recorded riff heavy exploration designed to take you on a psychedelic adventure. Read our discussion below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
Subtle, pastoral, non linear.
Tell us a few things about Mosaic. What is the story behind the track?
I was into a band called Palm at the time. I liked how they experimented with time signatures and their vocal delivery. And I also like West African Mali Blues. So I came up with the riff in a unsual time signature with that clean sound, kind of dancing riff. And then I had a very simple and direct poem I had written about learning to deal with losing someone you cared about from your life, and how intense the memories can be when you don’t see them for sometime. And the lyrics sprung from that. The idea of Mosaic, is like the light coming through the trees, like a Mosaic.
Aliens from a far galaxy visit us and have no clue what psychedelia is. What elements make a song psychedelic?
I kind of think psychedelic is quite a rational aesthetic. I’ve never really been interested in it. I’m far more drawn to the idea of sober strangeness and the absurd, and nonsense. I would say to aliens,
that they should meet with Sun Ra as he has all the answers they would need for anything. They have probably already met him.
“Mosaic” was recorded live and mixed/mastered by Sam J Smith at Green Door Studios. What was the experience of recording live like, and how do you feel it contributed to the track feeling “both intimate and expansive”?
It’s always magical recording at the green door with Sam. And recording those very new tracks live was intense at times but exhilarating and felt very natural. The Green door has an intimacy about it so I think that goes into the sound. And Sam depicted sonically a kind of liminal soundscape whereby the song is sort of in transition between expansive and intimate.
And was lucky to play with very cool rhythm section.
As a self-described “genre-diverse outlier,” how do you feel “Mosaic” exemplifies your commitment to “crafting music on your own terms, free from commercial expectations”?
I would say I’m genre diverse but I wouldn’t say I was an outlier. I’m not even sure what that is. Mosaic is the natural follow up to Sweet Grass Visions. But with Sweet grass visions I was still trying to play the game a bit. Mosaic is most focused and subtle, free form, uncompromised songwriting I have done. It has no boundaries which sounds like a paradox because it’s still 3/4 minute songs. But I think songs are often far weirder than experimental music. This album is me saying, this is what I love to write and play. There’s not really a genre for that. It is my last album release I think.
In which place or state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music
Hopefully in about 40 years into the future. In a post screen world, with people who might want to dance.
Artists and people that have influenced you?
Palm, Stereolab, Ali farke Toure, Bombino, Troyka. Something called ‘Glumlot’. The Venkatesh Rao article on Premium mediocrity. Dyslexia. David Bohm.
All the women I have ever known.
Something not many people know about you?
I’m left handed but play guitar right handed
Thank you!
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