NOCTURNE IN RED ALBUM & MERCH OUT NOW
Interview conducted on April 23, 2021
By Dan Locke
MIKAELA, is a metal project led by Mikaela Attard, born May 8, 1993. She is a vocalist, composer, lyric writer, and producer hailing from the island of Malta. She has graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with a BA in Music Production and earlier on studied Vocal Performance at the same institution. Mikaela released several singles in the past as well as an EP âHear Me Outâ and won awards such as Best New Artist in 2010, Best Female Artist and Maltaâs Export Artist in 2011, Vodafone Upcoming Artist and Berklee College Singer-Songwriter, Best Metal Band in 2019, and in 2020, âBring Me Bloodâ, âChaotic Mindâ and the full-length album NOCTURNE IN RED.
What is your upbringing?
Loved by my parents dearly and fulfilled to the brim with music and music activities! I started practicing young and listening to metal younger.
You are a trained classic singer; how did you discover metal music?
Metal has always been present in my life right from when I can remember so it came naturally for me to pick it all up from there and take it away. I started with classical singing unexpectedly to be fair, Iâve learned so much from it, loved every moment of it as such techniques I still use to this day in metal. I donât think thereâs any category of right or wrong or to do or not to do, anything beneficial from any genre constitutes good growth and training in a skill, in my opinion. Then, of course, itâs good to specialize.
How did you start to write music?
First, I studied a lot, theory, composition, arrangements and all that came with it, that was my start in getting round music. Iâve had formal training in classical music too for a long time but as time went by, I started experimenting with what Iâve learned and played around with it, more in my style. I started collaborating and co-writing with our musicians and my previous bands at first then I started writing on my own too till I took on writing songs on my own from start to finish. Since I was mostly classically trained, studying jazz at Berklee was something that unleashed it all, I feel. I remember I felt the freedom I needed to write more and better.
Describe your music.
Unhindered, ruthless, dynamic.
What was your first performance like?
I donât really remember my first performance per se but I remember doing theatre at school concerts, Iâd have those long scripts and I donât know how the hell I used to remember all of it and thatâs not including the singing, acting, and dancing and all above that. So doing theatre and musicals were my first thing, then it was a lot of singing competitions and auditions. I cannot tell you how many trophies reside at the house from that era. It was definitely fun.
Do you belong to any to songwritersâ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, I do.
What makes a good songwriter?
A good songwriter to me is someone who knows his writing style and is true to it, knows how to communicate that with the audience and therefore also knowing their audience; and one that can reach and touch people with their work. Someone who makes a difference in someone elseâs life. Someone that people can relate to through their work.
How do you apply your classic training to your music?
I donât think about that ever, all inspirations and techniques that Iâve learned and learn every day, come through absentmindedly. Through a lot of practice, it all becomes part of you.
How was it to performed Crazy Train with the Maltaâs Philharmonic Orchestra?
That was fun! I got invited by the President of Malta for seven times I believe to perform with MPO for audiences of 13,000 and more. That is quite an audience for the island of Malta so it was definitely an honor and pleasure to connect and perform for so many music enthusiasts!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Hard to say, I used to write a lot of songs and versions of ideas until I formed something that grooved along my lines of good and that resonated for a while. So, there are probably thousands of recordings on multiple devices. Iâm always recording ideas so you can imagine.
What is the process of writing your music?
I usually have a melody up in my head first, for a part of a song maybe that triggers me to record it. Other times I come up with an idea, concept, or a chunk of lyrics and take it from there. However, I give priority to a good rhythm always, a good rhythmic flow, so lyrics change up every time when that happens. Sometimes it just happens it all fits right from the start.
Tell me about your Nocturne in Red CD?
Itâs been an inspiring process indeed. It had been a long wish of mine to make an album and to finally have the time and moment to work on it, with a wonderful team, was a dream. I cannot wait for the world to resume to get to perform the album live for all of you!
What is your favorite track on your album?
Hard to tell, I wrote all the songs and more songs for this record outside of the ten selected and all of them are close to heart, Iâd say every song has a special moment that makes it a favorite for me but to answer your question, Iâd go with âBring Me Bloodâ since itâs the song that most people started to get to know this project through! Itâs what created the wave!
How often do you do a song like âIâm Never Around Meâ on the piano?
Oh wow! That was a song Iâve written when I studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 2011 and was selected a winner at the Berklee Singer-Songwriter Contest. I remember performing it live on piano during the set at Cafe 939 Red Room. Ah all songs start from being piano songs for the most part then I shift everything to instruments, so Iâd say often but the audience doesnât often get to hear that.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
By staying hydrated with water, big gulps for me and constant.
Why did you start to do much of your music stuff? From writing, producing, recording, editing, mixing, designing, and what the universe throws at you?
Itâs what I love to do!
What are youâre feeling about streaming music?
Itâs a controversial issue amongst many but I believe that the potential reach that it allows everyone to exploit is unbelievable. No matter what we argue, it is a great tool for us in 2021 to get discovered especially and for such easy and portable access to the fans.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, [ or (in North American usage) pound sign. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
Ha! Maybe!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both, I love what both have to offer. Digital means offer accessibility and clarity; Vinyl gives such atmosphere and aura of an experience as well as canât help but say nostalgia.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Honestly, my mind sings a million songs a day so any day is a valid day to pick any track on the radar and roll with it. Most of the time it chooses me!
With the Pfizer, Moderna, and other vaccines being release. How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected â not just those who are immune.)
I hope soon enough so weâll be able to restore our life as well as in our case, music concerts, shows and tour life itself.
If âVideo Killed the Radio Starâ do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
The music business is affected like any other business at the moment, itâs no different. However, I think everyone is dying for a live show or twenty, I am, and I cannot wait to attend and perform shows if not exactly how we knew them to be, better, in the same format or better that we held them before. Time was lost as well as revenue from shows that could have happened if it werenât for covid stopping everything but there is a hunger for live shows, a heavy one and I feel post-covid, there will hopefully be a beautiful surge of live shows to be attended to. Covid-19 may have killed live music for almost two years so far, and a lot of musicians along with it, which is indeed terrible but itâs not over for music. Letâs stay positive!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
A lot of things have been keeping me busy during this time such as the recordings, the production, the preparation, and the release of the record itself, all that it entails really, music videos, interviews, merchandise preparations and orders, and of course, practicing my instruments.
Back in 2019, you were up for Inked Magazine cover girl. And just missed the top spot. Have you made the cover of any inked type magazine?
Yes, that was something different and exciting! It was definitely an honor to be amongst the top 30 inked girls of the world. I found a lot of support in this with family, friends, and fans supporting all the way and it fulfilled my heart to have to many people with me in any journey I choose to devour.
Have you gotten any more ink since the lockdown?
Yes, I did actually, when tattoo studios were re-opened briefly. I closed up my back.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
During covid times, Iâve still been busy with the release of singles and the full-length debut album. It kept me entertained and since the work from it is still happening, it is keeping me very hectic. But yes, Iâve had time to do other things and rediscover old hobbies. Iâve definitely been busy refurbishing my own studio and revived my love for art again, painting acrylics and also getting more into digital art, practicing, and all things that the hours of the day allow.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for âcommercial or non-personalâ purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users âmay not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience [âŠ] This will include [Facebook] Live,â and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
If this is done to safeguard the rights of the original owner of works, I donât see any problems to obtain the right licenses to operate if one is willing to perhaps perform a cover but so far, I donât think it changed much, apart from the layouts and algorithms.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
The love for music is never to be hindered by anything, it affects us sure but letâs not let it change us in ways we do not want to. There are still other things that our bands and artists do apart from shows to keep the momentum even when we have shows and during normal times as the work is really endless. Live shows are the ultimate price of it all as thereâs no other feeling like it for a musician and for a music lover. This has been stripped away from us and we are doing our most efforts in order to help stop the spread of covid. Meanwhile, we also have the online world to keep us connected with fans and to do whatever we imagine making this time interesting nonetheless.
Is pay-to-play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Itâs still a popular thing yes.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Futuristic vibes yeah! Well, that woulda little weird but why the hell not?
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
This is a lot of help but some will unavoidably have to suffer the destruction more than others.
In the past, if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you canât do music, what would you like to be doing?
I think itâs a matter of when Iâm not doing music that Iâll have time to do other things because I intend to keep music my thing, itâs my happy place!
What is your happy place?
Music is! Wherever it is, my footsteps will follow!
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay, and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late â80s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax-friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
Obviously, my answer to that will depend on the deal itself.
Spotifyâs âStream Onâ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotifyâs Co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotifyâs catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, itâs reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
It depends on what criteria the songs were deleted on. Iâm sure that there is a logical reason behind this scenario, otherwise it would be nonsensical.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Yeah perhaps!
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21. Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didnâtâ hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival â an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 â would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale.
With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to follow the lead of Live Nation: UK.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set for September 23-26 with Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration in Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring to November 11-14 in Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 in Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
We are closely monitoring the pandemic situation to get to perform live in the closest future possible. Fans have been asking constantly and we appreciate the love and support dearly. We cannot wait till we get to the show phase post-pandemic. Since things are changing and changing fast every time, we are trying to stay as vigilant as possible to start rocking out with yâall once the nearest time comes to light.
Any plans for you and your sister Yorika to do an album together?
That would be interesting for sure! Note taken!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I want to thank all my fans and followers for their love and support! It means everything to me and I cannot wait to see you all on the road! If youâd like to support the project, please check out mikaelarocks.com for the latest updates and merchandise!
