| Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Mike Scully: I grew up kind of all over. SoCal, Arizona, Arkansas, even lived in Hawaii for a year or so. But my hometown is definitely Simi Valley, CA. I moved around so much because I come from a family that is riddled with addiction and victims of all sorts of abuse. I had a tough time growing up and being exposed to such things as a child and I think that was what interested me in music. It was an out, it was a vice, it was mine and no one could take it away. Music is very much a spiritual experience for me with very strong meditative qualities. When I’m holding my guitar, or playing my piano, or singing a song, or just listening to Ray Charles or The Eagles, everything else just kind of disappears. I know it sounds cliche, but that’s the honest truth.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Mike Scully: Well I guess you would have to ask my mom… She gave it to me. Just kidding. I was named after my father. I am actually a Jr. And a very proud one. I have had a strained relationship with my father over the years but even through all his mistakes he was really always my hero. If you listen to Please Don’t Run Out Of Time-one of my original songs-the lyrics are about that particular relationship. And he knows that by the way.
Please Don’t Run Out Of Time
https://youtu.be/7xcDV_v95rk
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Mike Scully: Sure, as a matter of fact I give all my music away for free. Mostly because I’m really just starting to edge my way into the industry and make a name for myself. I don’t think anyone will pay money for an unknown song from an artist they have never heard of. I would love to make a career out of music and hope to reach that level in the near future. But as for now I’m having a blast just writing songs, playing local gigs, collaborating with different artists and learning about the industry.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Mike Scully: Well first of all I would consider myself a start-up now. But with that being said my advice to anyone interested in a career in music is to never take yourself too seriously and just have fun. It’s easy to get caught up in the daydreams of winning Grammys and hitting number 1 and selling out huge venues, but don’t forget the reason you started playing music in the first place. It was fun… It was interesting… It was a hobby. I see a lot of artist forgetting that and have even caught myself forgetting that a time or two.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Mike Scully: I don’t think there is one way to write music. And I also think inspiration can come from anywhere. One of the best songs I feel I have ever written was inspired by photo that was posted on Facebook. Another was written because my wife was upset at me and I wanted to get out of the dog house haha. I was in a band until very recently called Pawned Souls with an incredible guitarist named Travis Gennette and we were a great songwriting team. We would bring each other different chord progressions or guitar licks we had come up with and just build from there. Most of the time we would write the music first and then listen to that music over and over and our famous line was “What do you see when you hear this music?” That question lead us to some interesting song ideas.
But when a song is really good it can almost write itself. The lyrics just poor out of my mouth as if I knew them already.
The song that got me out of the dog house.
Selfless Love –
https://youtu.be/wubUjDZ0FEo
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Mike Scully: I do, www.mikescullymusic.com. I post artist info, booking info, merchandise, testimonials, upcoming shows, and of course music on the website. But the website also has links to bring you to my Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages. Feel free to check it out! As far as sharing my music I mostly just use YouTube. It’s simple and quick and I think live music just sounds better. I am currently recording an Album that I will have on iTunes and some others, but for now I basically make the YouTube video, share it on all social media, and then post clips on Instagram. Online platforms do make sharing music very simple, but gigging is still the best way to get your name out there and to start building a following. People hear you play live and they know your a real musician, your not just clicking buttons on a computer at home. And I think they respect that. Learning how to play instruments and create catchy melodies and write great songs is incredibly difficult work. But also the most fun job there is on the planet.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Mike Scully: Easy, I would finish building my Recording Studio at my home, write music, learn new techniques to write and record music, play as many live shows as I could… Basically make a full time job out of music. I would love the ability to really give my all to it for a year. Not have to worry about the bills and feeding the children. I do believe I could get some very good exposure in that scenario. But until that day comes I have to make due with what I have.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Mike Scully: Well, like I said before, social media is great for promoting your music and marketing yourself as a musician. I love to record a new song, fix up the video, upload it to YouTube and post it on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. But the BEST way to promote your music that I have found is to play it for people. Go out to an open mic night somewhere and play a few original songs. This is also great to see if anyone really digs your music or not. Because if your only asking friends and family, chances are they are being really nice about it and not wanting to hurt your feelings. But when you play in front of 40 or 50 strangers, they have no reason to be nice. So you will get some true and honest, and yes sometimes brutal, feedback.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Mike Scully: Well my band Pawned Souls just split up after a long while together so now I’m going out on my own. I am currently recording an Album called 12. It is the story of my life from ages 1-12. Each song is about another year. The writing has been incredibly therapeutic and at times extremely difficult. It is a collection of incredibly open and vulnerable tunes that I can honestly say I have written from my heart. I am really excited about it because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. And I think my fans will be pleasantly surprised by the sound.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Mike Scully: My wife would tell you that it depends on the week… I have many, many interests and hobbies and I am the kind of guy that has HUGE dreams and aspirations to achieve them all. I have wanted to be an actor, director, documentarian, artist, NBA all star, therapist, Lawyer, Doctor, and a laundry list of other things. But the reality is I have a great job that pays the bills for my family and music is my first love. I have given up my dreams of being an NBA All Star and I doubt very much I’ll be attending medical school anytime soon. But I’ll never give up music. It’s a part of who I am, and I love that part!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Mike Scully: That’s the very question I ask myself everyday. I have a full time job that can be pretty demanding, a wife and three children. So balancing everything is extremely difficult. What I typically do is take one day off a month and while my kids are at school and wife is at work I lock myself in my home studio and work. Other than that after the kids are in bed around 8 or 9, that’s when I have a little free time to write, play, practice, ect. So most of the songs I’ve written are actually written around 1 in the morning. It’s tough, but it will get easier in the future and either way I will not give up. I love it too much.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Mike Scully: I will release my first studio album 12 by the end of the year. Until then I will be gigging in the area, writing music, collaborating with local artists and making a name for myself. 2016 will be an exciting year for me musically. I am really looking forward to it. Thank you so much for having me. I truly appreciate the opportunity.
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