9+1 Q&A with Dead Space Age

What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

My parents didn’t play any instruments but there was always music around the house. Music quickly became an important interest of mine but the idea of playing/making music came about after my father took me to my first few concerts and saw just how much of an impact those shows had on me. He suggested trying guitar, bought me beginner set up, and that was it. I was hooked.
Eventually, I started playing in bands with friends through high school. I started writing and recording my own songs when I was about 15. While I’ve always listened to and composed music of various styles, I gravitated toward playing hard rock and metal as most of my friends did. My first real band was called the Blank Theory and ran from 1997-2004. After that project, I very deliberately started making music that was more in line with my musical style and sensibilities. Over the years, while participating in bands and collaborations, I’ve focused on developing and refining my skills as a composer, lyricist, singer, audio engineer, producer, etc. All of which have greatly contributed to the development of Dead Space Age.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

Cause / Effect came together over the past few years. The collection of songs primarily based stylistically in alternative/indie rock with traces of post-punk, electronic, and shoegaze. Mostly guitar based but there is a fair amount of synth and electronic beats. Overall, the album is a calculated starting point of indie/alt rock with plans to evolve and grow. I look forward to experimenting and taking some chances.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

Musically, my influences started with bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Sabbath. Then bands like Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, Portishead, and The Flaming Lips crept in. However, in recent years, I find that I am far more influenced by some of my favorite movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Sean Connery era Bond films, A Clockwork Orange, and a few others. I want to make music that gives me the same feeling I get when I see those films.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

I think the Dead Space Age sound, song by song, might be more diverse than most contemporaries. Overall, I consider it to be 90’s inspired alternative with traces electronic and shoegaze.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

This probably changes daily but I’ll try.
ALBUMS:
Portishead – Third
David Bazan – Strange Negotiations
Radiohead – Kid A

MOVIES:
The Color of Money (1986)
Casino (1995)
Vanishing Point (1971)

BOOKS:
I think the last book I read was probably Garfield At Large or Where the Sidewalk Ends. Needless to say, it’s been a while since I’ve read a book. Can I bring the Mad Men series box set to this desert island instead?

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

I absolutely love creating in the studio – like every day. I love studio experimentation. Also, I can control everything, there are no variables like bad live mix, bad PA system, etc. It can be hard work but it is so rewarding to listen back to a finished piece that moves you and that’s a permanent record for the world to hear and enjoy on their own terms. That said, there is nothing quite like playing your songs (loudly) and really feeling a connection with everybody in the room. I think the studio and live performance are equally as important to me at different times.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

In a previous band, we would occasionally play light hearted jokes on each other. One such joke would be to switch somebody’s set-list and watch them try to realize the problem and correct it without stopping the show. One particular show, we all unknowingly swapped each other’s set-lists, simultaneously pranked each other. We all opened the set playing a different song, it sounded like Guitar Center on a Saturday afternoon. It was absolutely horrendous and got even worse the longer we tried to hold it together – as a professional does. The moment you are anticipating your friend in the band to play the wrong song while simultaneously discovering that you are playing the wrong song yourself was pretty damn funny for all of us. Luckily this was not captured on video.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I think that would be “Last Remains” because the drums in the last half of the song.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Certainly! Once the Dead Space Age line up is finalized, I plan to start playing shows and doing some regional touring. Additionally, I have a lot of material in the works. I plan to release more singles between full albums and maybe some alternate versions of existing songs.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Q: Michael, are there any other projects that you’re working that you would like to share?

A: Yes! My other project, Marathon Runner, is expected to release our second album in Spring of 2019. In the meantime, you can check out the debut full-length Better Days Ahead on Spotify. There are always more projects in the works so stay tuned!

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

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