CAN2 MEDIA - Blog

Inside Our Artist with Michael M

2/14/2022

This week, our featured Artist is the outstanding Michael M! We sat down *virtually* with Michael to get an inside look at what inspires him to make the music you!

At age fourteen, Michael Rodriguez began his career in Miami, FL, singing freestyle as an opening act. In 1994, Strictly Rhythm picked up "I could be this…" by Androgyny featuring Michael M, and his career took off from there! He then made the hit "Dear Diary," which landed on the top 81 tracks of 2006 on XM BPM.

Michael talks about everything from artists that influence his music to some of his favorite record-breaking tracks. Learn about Michael M below to see what's "Inside Our Artists."

What words would you use to describe your music?

"I feel like there is what I'm known for, there's what I wanted to be known for, and then there's what I might be known for, but people don't know that it's me. I've had billboard dance hits that I co-wrote that you wouldn't listen to and say, 'that's a Michael M record!' As far as what I'm known for, it is campy, catchy, and controversial lullabies. Everything I've done has always been in a dance-music umbrella - House, electro-house, or happy house. It has always has been something electronic. When I make club music, I do it for the inner 19-year old that was there."

If you had a choice to collaborate with anyone in the music industry now, who would it be?

"Musically, I'd love to work with The Pet Shop Boys! I love the Pet Shop Boys. I've had tickets to see them for the past two years, but with the pandemic. So hopefully, I'll get to see them soon! But yes, I'd love to work with them."

You said that when you make music, you do it for your inner 19-year-old self. What advice would you give if you could talk to a younger version of yourself, even that 19-year-old version?

"Don't waste your time! Haha no. I'd say that sometimes, something happens in your path where, if you had taken the left turn, you think things could have been different. But, there was an accident there, and you couldn't turn left, so you had to go right. Or you had to go straight. But it is what it is. Here we are. I'm happy!"

Stream Michael M.’s latest hit ‘So Relentless’ now on all streaming platforms

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Inside Our Artist with Venissa Cantu

12/14/2020

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Our featured Artist this week is Venissa Cantu! We sat down virtually with Venissa to get an inside look at the process of creating moving art that continuously inspires us, and the fans!

Venissa talks about her love for art and which artists have inspired her along the way. Read the interview with Venissa Cantu below to see what's Inside Our Artists!

How did you become an artist? Is there a particular experience that drove you to this choice?
I think I’ve always been an artist in some form. I started writing poetry when I was 13, but for painting specifically, I was around 15 or 16. I had watched a close friend who painted and often found it to be so inspiring, and it made me curious enough to give it a try. She suggested I watch a movie called “Pollock,” which is about the abstract artist Jackson Pollock (he’s my favorite painter). It was like an explosion for me, And I went head on into painting and developing my own style. But if I’m truthful, I mimicked him a lot in the beginning.

What was your first work of art that really mattered to you?
I’d say sometime in my early 20s. I did a bigger piece for the first time, probably 30x40, and it was such a different experience from working on smaller pieces. I was really proud of it and gifted it to someone special at the time. The painting was of a full moon.

How do you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m still evolving as an artist, that process is never ending. If we’re being technical, I’d describe myself as an abstract artist. But I’m a dabbler and I experiment with many different mediums and techniques.

What is your biggest motivator as an artist?
Life experiences, love, pain, emotions all motivate me to create.

What single ethical consideration most impacts the decisions you make as an artist?
It’s my therapy. It’s about the feeling for me. How I feel when I paint... I paint to express myself and to release what is inside of me. It allows me to express what I cannot say.

What quality do you most admire in another artist?
What I admire about other artists is their bravery to push the limits of what creation is. There are so many talented artists in this world and to find your way through the labyrinth is most certainly a challenge not everyone is up for.

What media do you prefer and how did you come to use it as your primary one?
I work primarily with acrylic paint. More recently, I’ve started to use pouring paints because of the way they flow and mix together. I’ve tried using oil paint in the past and we just don’t get along. Some of my work is mixed media; it truly depends on what the concept is and where my mood is at.

Share something you would like the world to know about you?
I wear my heart on my sleeve and my art is a reflection of that. I pour myself, my energy, love, and soul into every piece I create.

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Inside Our Artist with Phoenix Doval

11/2/2020

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Our featured Artist this week is Phoenix Doval! We sat down virtually with Phoenix to get an inside look on what inspires her to make the music that you, the fans, listen to!

Phoenix talks about her dream to create music and how she uses her lyrics and writing to connect with her fans. Read the interview with Phoenix Doval below to see what's Inside Our Artists!

What first got you into music?
Music is something that has always surrounded me, and has been a part of me, for as long as I can remember. I was always attracted to music of all genres, all instruments, and all styles. I think I was probably around five or six years old when I first made the connection that I wanted to create music of my own and started dreaming of doing that.

Who inspired you to make music?
Honestly, there wasn’t a person that inspired me to start making music. It was something that developed over time on it’s own. I’m not a musician in the sense that I’m a soundsmith, I’m more of a storyteller. I’ve always been a writer of words and as I grew, it eventually evolved to include voice and sound.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I would describe my music to be honest, irreverent, and observational. It’s cathartic and therapeutic for me and I hope some of that translates to the listener.

What is your creative process like?
The creative process is a bit more of a visceral than a cerebral one, usually. Almost all of my songs start with a journal entry. I’ll write down an idea, a topic, a feeling that has stood out and then start elaborating on it. Sometimes it’s just a single word or sound that sticks in my head and then starts to grow exponentially. I find inspiration in the most random and mundane things, too, like the texture of a fabric, a color, even a fucking street sign.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I mean, there are many artists that I would love to work with. However, if I had to choose only one person to collaborate with, it would have to be Patrick Stump (of Fall Out Boy). Hands down. The man is not only a musical wonder, he’s well known for being genuine, humble, kind, and supportive.

If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
It would be a dream come true to open for Fall Out Boy, Adam Lambert, Amanda Palmer, Def Leppard, Lady Gaga, or Faith No More. Hey, dream big!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Know your worth. Be motivated by love. Radiate the type of energy that you want to be surrounded by. Trust your instincts. Be truthful, honest, and genuine.

What’s next for you?
Nothing is for certain, but I would like to continue on the path that the Universe has gifted me with. Overall, and in the long run, I hope to include more creative collaborations with artists of various mediums, a compilation of solo musical works, and perhaps publication of some of my written material. There are a lot of areas I am interested in pursuing, so we shall wait and see. I’m excited to continue on this journey.

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Inside Our Artist Blog

Inside Our Artist with Michael M

Inside Our Artist with Venissa Cantu

Inside Our Artist with Phoenix Doval