Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself?
Hi, I’m Michael Cheung, nothing special about the name; I’m just a mutt from Toronto, Canada.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
I’ve been into music for the majority of my life, listening to The Beatles and Abba at a young age. I was in my first band around the age of ten. I didn’t really consider music a career until my first concert at the CNE. It was such a raw spiritual, experience for me. It was so human.
Tell us about your new music?And what’s the story behind it?
Song’s from the Stomach is probably my most personal and experimental project to date. I’ve been dealing with stomach problems a good chunk of my life and I sort of have this weird relationship with it. It fuels a lot of my art, and in this case, it fueled a whole album.
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it?
Probably my lack of music theory. *laughs* I’d probably consider it Occult folk or Occult rock. Elements of folk, psychedelia and grunge with darker overtones.
Do you play any instruments?
I play all the instruments on the album: guitar, bass, harmonica, piano, drums.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I have many, many influences, but off the top of my head: The Doors, Kurt Cobain, Elliott Smith, CSNY, Neil Young, The Beatles, CCR, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Syd Barrett, Jefferson Airplane. I’d love to collaborate with John Lennon in the future. *laughs*
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
Probably the fact I’m not a junkie. I’m extremely proud about that. I’ll leave the poppies for Remembrance Day.
How do you balance your music with other obligations –family, friends or work?
I tend to make music or art on my off hours.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
You can do anything you want to, it doesn’t matter how tall you are, what your race is or what your economic class is. Music is an extension of the self, it’s like secondary communication. And don’t let money hungry universities try to convince you that you need some fancy degree to make music. You’ll leave university poor, jobless and mentally exhausted. Spend your tuition money on an instrument and recording equipment instead. Learn by doing. Perseverance, Tenacity and Drive are far more valuable than a four point o gpa.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
Thanks for liking my art. It means a lot to me.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
Probably a new poetry collection in the near future.
