Artist Interview: Michael Webster

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with self-styled ‘folk grunge’ artist, Michael Webster.

1. How did you get started as a band?

I started doing music as a hobby back in 2014, but it gave me a nice sense of escape and calmness from the chaotic life I was leading. Writing songs and going and performing gave me a break from it all, it was lovely to do! Since then, I decided to try and pursue a lifestyle in music – doing a degree, putting on gigs week in, week out and recording / producing my own music and others’ as well!

2. How would you describe your sound?

I always end up describing it as “folk grunge” as it’s two of my main influences in genres – classic folksingers like Bob Dylan and Neil Young and also 90s alternative bands such as Nirvana, Sleater-Kinney and the such. However, over the past few years I’ve seen that even more genres influence me too, including hip-hop, indie music, pop – it’s all inspiring to me.

3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?

As I said earlier, definitely the artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen in the way that they tell a story throughout their music – plus, I love the energy and atmosphere of 90’s alternative rock, having performed with a band on various occasions it’s a real great feeling to pull out a guitar solo or have a huge sound behind you. Even rappers like Andre 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller influence me as well, especially with cadence and flow of lyrics – it’s really opened my eyes to the possibilities within lyricism and songwriting.

4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?

It’s a hot topic, but I think that music streaming and the such is a great thing. Obviously royalty rates are naff, but the potential for your music to be heard by anyone all over the globe is something that no independent artist could have imagined possible in the past. It also gives people who are on low incomes, from less well-off backgrounds the possibility to hear music from artists outside of their main spheres of influence. I’ve found so many underground artists through streaming that I’d never have heard of without streaming sites.

5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

I mostly relax by reading, listening to music, playing video games, or going out with friends. A lot of my songs are written about my personal experiences so often many of these actually play a part in my music creation processes, but it’s also really lovely to just get out there and enjoy the present.

6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?

I’m hoping to get another EP out by the end of the year – I’m also working on a bunch of releases, producing music for artists on my label and helping them out with gigs and all of that! It’s gonna be a busy one, for sure.

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram