We’ve been paying close attention to the career of one Michael McQuaid over the last month or two. He has recently released the video for his stunning track “Sleepwalking” which is the lead track from his debut EP Heart and Soul. He’s only twenty years old but he’s got the air of a born performer, and the talent to back it up! We caught up with the Texas to Tennessee transplant to find out what makes up HIS heart and soul, and the interview is here:
YA Mag: When you were a little boy and you started playing music, which artist did you really aspire to be?
Michael McQuaid: When I started playing guitar it was rock n roll all the time. I wanted to be like an Eddie Van Halen or a Stevie Ray Vaughn. My dad was always listening to the Grateful Dead and Jimmy Buffet. As much as I hated it back then, I appreciate it so much today. As cheesy as this sounds, when I started writing my own music at 13 I was really into Nevershoutnever, Chase Coy, Stephen Jerzak, and all these other powerpop acoustic artists. Aside from being in a post-hardcore band, I was in a solo acoustic project called darling,let’s dance. Yeah, it was pretty bad… I would sing using autotune and everything. As embarrassing as it was, it was a big part of my life and I can’t deny it.
YA: What do you think it takes to make a musical artist truly great, and how do you think you embody that?
MM: I think besides being a talented musician you have to have the personality and work ethic to accompany it. I remember I went to listen to the CEO of Sony Nashville speak and he said, “When a star walks in the room, you just know it. Everything lights up and he knows everyone. Some people are naturally born with it and some people have to be trained.” He gave an example, “When you meet Lionel Richie, it’s like meeting the president of the United States. He is charismatic and his personality just sticks with you.” And people I idolize as artists and musicians are like that. They also have an amazing work ethic. Bruce Springsteen writes 70 songs all with different verses and choruses before he choses the best 12 to go on the album. Aside from practicing and perfecting my craft, when I go out I have to sell myself to people and make impressions so they will go listen to my musi. It is a 24/7 marketing opportunity.
YA: You were in a band called Northfield as a teenager. What was it like being part of a band as opposed to playing solo? Why did you guys split up?
MM: There’s nothing like growing with a bunch of dudes through music. Those guys were my best friends and the guitar player,Brandon, still plays shows with my as part of my band. I was the one writing the music and I recorded the whole record before they were even in the band. It was a lot harder forming together a band of guys who had no creative control over the music than I thought it would be. It was always my vision and my musical child. And for the longest time I would find these random dudes off craigslist to fill in and finally I found a group of solid guys. And the drummer and the guitar player moved away. And I was just stuck with this decision.. Do I continue with Northfield or do I just go solo? So I just went solo. I love it now. I love being hands on and control of every aspect of my music.
YA: You were born in Texas but you currently live in Nashville. What do you like about the place?
MM: Nashville is like a dream come true, I absolutely love it. There is music everywhere I turn. But there is no place like home! I love coming back to Dallas to visit.
YA: Your new song, Sleepwalking, is about a guy who seems to be experiencing a bit of turmoil in his love life. Was the story in the song autobiographical at all?
MM: It’s written in objective person. But it’s relatable. It’s about trying to fall asleep and missing that person right next to you.
YA: You’ve been playing both the guitar and the piano since a very young age. Which has a higher hit ratio with the ladies?!
MM: Haha! I think girls like the vocalist the best. All of my girls that are friends are drooling over Adam Levine and my mom goes crazy for David Lee Roth. I haven’t really noticed many girls go crazy for a piano player.
YA: Name one friend or family member that you couldn’t live without.
MM: How do I chose just one?! My friends and family members are so incredibly supportive of me and I would be nowhere without them. I guess if I HAD to chose one I would choose my mom. And here comes the cheesy mom love letter… I wouldn’t be in this world without my mother! She’s so supportive of me. When I show her a new video or song I just came out with, she makes sure that EVERYONE knows. I’m Columbian on my moms side and I’m sure everyone in Columbia, especially my family, has heard Sleepwalking because of her.
YA: You have a plethora of tattoos. Which one is your favorite, and why?
MM: Another one that’s so hard to choose just one! Well, I just got my filler done on my left arm so I officially have a sleeve, which I’m so stoked on. My right arm is my music arm and I’m about to get a guitar tattooed on me. If I had to pick one, I would pick the first one I got the day I turned 18. It’s a sailor jerry gypsy girl with the words “Dear Prudence…” written above it, for the Beatles.
YA: Your debut EP, Heart and Soul, is released later this month. What kind of flavor does the record have?
MM: Flavor. I like how you used that… When I describe my music to people I like to say “It’s gritty pop-rock with a little bit of soul.” And that’s exactly what this EP embodies.
YA: What’s up next for you this year, career-wise?
MM: Shows, shows, shows. I just want to broaden my fan base and make sure everyone in Nashville knows who Michael McQuaid is. Along with writing, I’m already preparing my next EP, and I can’t wait to show you guys what I’m working on.
YA: Which five songs are playing on your iPod?
MM: 1. Not In That Way- Sam Smith
2. Bang Bang- Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nick Minaj
3. All In My Head- Tori Kelly
4. Smart Phones- Trey Songz
5. Sweatpants- Childish Gambino