Exposed Vocals Interviews Mike Powell

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Mike: I was born and raised in Anfield, Liverpool, not far from Liverpool Football Club. The first 22 years of my life were in Liverpool. I lived and breathed The ‘Pool. I later moved into North Wales and went about my business – which was working for the blue chip co – RHM Foods as a territory manager for Sharwoods Speciality Foods. Deciding to move more into the marketing field, I set up and worked for a printing company. SO FAR NO MUSIC!

I got married and had 2 beautiful children and was set for a life of married bliss. It didn’t happen and my wife had other ideas. I prayed to my deceased parents and God to help me, as I was losing everything I held dear. One week later I awoke to see someone standing at the end of my bed. This person seemed to need my help, and instinctively, we focussed intently on each others eyes. As he was being taken away against his will I seemed powerless to help him. At that moment, he transmitted a song to me – words and music together called ‘IT WAS YOU’. I was 38 years old and a non musician. Never written, played, sang songs in my life. What was the song like? – It is on my new album called It Happened To Me’, I’ll let you decide. This is one of 350 songs that have been given to me from this person. His Name??
JOHN LENNON of Beatle fame

So in answer to your question,  ‘what made you decide to become an artist?’ I didn’t decide to become and artist. It was thrust upon me, from another life.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Mike: Mike Powell. When I was a kid, people in our street used to call me Mickey Plum or Mickey Drippin’ and for 22 years I was called Mickey. I guess when you got a little more grown up, people stated calling me Mike. My real name is Michael, but Mike has stuck, so there we have it. No real inspiration behind the name, just little ol’ me.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Mike: Online music sharing gets everyone the chance to ‘showcase’ their work and make new audiences. My situation is very different from the majority of musicians out there. An 18 year old kid in a band plays at every opportunity and longs to be heard as ‘the next big thing’. The music business, as I have found out through experience has changed dramatically and I think record companies, labels etc don’t know which way to turn for the best. I believe in a fair society, musicians, like plumbers, plasterers, manufacturers, etc., should be paid for their work. I also believe quality always comes through, so if a thing is of value, it is worth the money – hope that makes sense to you.

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: Persevere. When you think you can’t go on, push it and keep pushing, and at the lowest point of your being (when nothing is happening) you must make that supreme effort and force yourself through. Eventually you will be heard. But this is not a journey for the faint heated. Some people can take 20 years to become an overnight success!! Get all the band to send tracks into the local radio stations and invite them to come to your gigs. Tell the press about your band and type of music. Don’t stop, or it will.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Mike: During the few performances I have made, I have been lucky and if there was a mistake, I carried on regardless. The audience will react to you. Overcome your nervousness and believe totally in your music.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Mike: Watch this space. My new management have plans for the UK and ‘over the water’.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Mike: I don’t have a song writing process. I will tell you that after the numerous encounters with John Lennon, and a vault of 350 songs, gifted to me, by him (always the words and music are complete and together just like you would hear a song on the radio) my inspiration is my knowledge of what and whom I have seen. I am always humbled.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Mike: My website is: www.powelltothepeople.com
I am being brought rapidly into the digital age by amongst others, my management and the team at Horus Music.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Mike: Er…erm…oo..er… I don’t have any songs that I don’t love on so there are no embarrassing ones, sorry about that.

TOP TIP..try and listen to Frank Ifields yodelling song – if you can, sing it loud it would be good for your voice muscle, and a laugh!!

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Mike: Travelling and marvelling at the stars

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Mike: Word of mouth, spread the word!

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Mike: 1. Madison Square Gardens. 2. John Lennon. Why.. I feel we know each other so well and I would be incredibly proud singing with John. Also because  having being told by so many people on so many occasions, including the sound engineer from Abbey Road Studios, that I sound just like Paul McCartney, I know John and me would harmonise like brothers –What a thrill that would be…If only!!

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Mike: Possible film, but that is for my management to tell you about.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Mike: What I love and still do..running, swimming, cycling and Triathlon.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Mike: No, but I remember buying Liverpool Express Album when I was about 19. It was mega. I was excited because they were a locl band me and my mates used to watch in the various pubs in Liverpool.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Mike: Like a juggler!!&%? Seriously..stay fit and healthy!

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

Mike: A second album, 2 singles and possible film,and a theatre tour.