MRF’s
previously released two albums; Elevator Music (2010) & Mob Music (2013)
with both getting critical acclaim and assuring his name as a mainstay as a
quintessential artist. The 3rd album which available now is
entitled; Yasko Sensei which is another home run and is reaffirmation that MRF
is here to stay and opposed to others releases material to be proud of rather
than churning it out as a factory with many fillers. A Performing/Recording
Artist, Saxophonist, Pianist, Songwriter/Producer, Composer/Arranger, Music
Director and Educator is one person to listen to and know!
Official MRF Sites:
iTunes/Spotify: MRF
Twitter.com/MRFtheartist
Instagram.com/MRFtheartist
Facebook.com/MRFMikeFlanaganMusic
MRF, let me first start this interview off by
saying how much of an incredible musician you are and an inspiration for many.
You release music that I can tell speaks from your heart and is very topical
which is conveyed to the listener. Thanks, once again for joining “The Beat!”
to become one of our “Artists In Residence” and taking time out of your busy
schedule to meet with me for this interview.
·
All three albums you have released being; E levator Music, Mob Music, and your brand new;
Yasko Sensei are all well received from both the fans and within the industry,
what is your thoughts as to the success of each?
I have to say, I wouldn’t have
gotten anywhere without my ‘village’. I am fortunate to have really incredible
and loving people in my life and they have rallied hard for my music. Elevator
Music was very much a first album but I learned a lot. Mob Music, to this day,
is my pride and joy. Yasko Sensei was the only way to truly attempsht to show
gratitude to the woman who showed me everything about music and artistry.
Throughout all three albums, I have
shown a lot of vulnerability, maybe even too much sometimes ;)
· Speaking of your albums let’s talk about your
brand new album; Yasko Sensei, tell us about the story behind the name and why
the choice of material on it?
Yasko changed my life with her artistry. She
is the reason I became an artist/musician from the time I was 15 and first
heard her, I have aimed to connect with music as well as the listener, at the
level she always did. She passed away in September 2015 after a long fight with
cancer. This album had to happen and we needed to make music together one last
time before she could no longer play. We recorded 3 tracks, and fortunately she
is on all 3 of my albums.
·
You place a lot of effort when it comes to a
release of an album such as the material, the message being delivered,
recording sessions and more, in this day and age that artists have the need for
exposure 24/7 such as releasing a single a day all year, what drives you to
beat that mindset?
I have never been
able to mass-produce. It’s never felt right for me. Music is my outlet, so I’m
very cautious when I go to create. I try to keep audiences engaged with live
performances and keeping a presence on social media, but I make sure when I am
putting out a project I convey how important it is to me.
·
MRF you inspire and are a role model for many,
personally why do you think this happens and do you agree or disagree with our
culture placing “role model” status to all people such as singers, actors,
athletes?
I absolutely have
artists that I consider my heroes, so as long as the person wants to use their
voice to inspire and spread awareness, I am all for it. When I have received
messages from people expressing that my work spoke to them, it makes every
challenge and struggle along the way to get that art made and released, that
much more worth-it.
·
You have released such powerful and moving
singles such as; “Trying” “This Love” “Tender” “I Just Wanted” along with
covers such as; “What If God Was One Of Us” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” why
do you think these songs seem to hit listeners so much? You seem to release
singles that are exactly what the listener’s need at the time (such as what is
going on socially in the world etc), is this something that you look at or is
by pure coincidence?
I was staying true
to me throughout all of that music. The songs from Mob Music were very much
where I was at the time and I wanted to be honest about that. I think maybe
that authenticity is what allows people to relate to it.
Though, in the case of “What If God Was One Of
Us” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, those came about because we had
spontaneously performed those live and after experiencing those songs through
our filter, I knew we had to get them recorded.
·
Being an openly gay artist, do you find that has
been a more difficult journey for your career and with how the industry dealt
with you?
Having to even consider how
pronouns will be received when writing about the person you love, is troubling.
That was something that always struck me. Back when I was writing Elevator
Music, it was very difficult not knowing how writing about love found/lost with
another man would even be received in the studio.
After that, from Mob Music on, I worked with
incredible people that were in the art with me 100%, no matter what decisions I
made. But things are very different now in many ways, and that’s a beautiful
thing
·
What would you say to artists that are either
out or on the verge to about being within the music industry?
Now, I think
anyone can find a fan-base no matter what, you just have to put the work in. I
think the music industry is tough to break into and turn out a sustainable
career, no matter what. It’s a constant grind and often times you don’t know if
and when your milestones are going to happen.
·
Do you find there are many stereotypes that
executives and labels try to still give to artists like yourself? How have you
rallied against it if it were not being true to yourself?
The minute you start to gain some traction,
people start knocking on your door, but often times with the intention of
putting their hand in the pot (which, if you’ve just put out an album, isn’t
filled with anything anyway. Haha) So, that gets interesting.
It is so essential to keep both your vocals in
the best condition along with yourself mentally/physically, how do you address
all of these areas?
I love meal plans
and geeking out on nutrition, especially to co-inside with training etc. For
me, omitting alcohol was a huge key to feeling at my best physically and energy
wise.
·
Speaking of keeping yourself in the best
condition, what is a must when touring to have before hitting the stage?
I just need to
eat, especially if traveling/touring.
·
What is one thing that you must have in your
house? You must have one item perhaps in the kitchen that you cannot do
without.
Clorox wipes. I
want to be the Clorox version of Mr. Clean when I grow up. I use them to clean
everything.
·
Do you have any projects in the making that we
can look forward to in the music album arena?
My ace Rallye and
I are in the works of putting a new project out. Outside of that I have been
playing on other artists’ projects for now.
·
I am getting tired just thinking of the
whirlwind of a year you are having! What are some other projects on your
horizon?
I am taking a
little break. I just got engaged and am moving to NY in June, so there’s a lot
happening, but there are still lots of upcoming performances and sideman
projects.
·
Is there something that you have as of yet
conquered in your career that you still have as a “must?”
I am looking
forward to touring with more artists.
·
Walk us through a typical day in the life of MRF,
what are some things you do to stay tip top shape both physically and mentally
for your work?
I cook breakfast
every morning (same thing every day, for the most part).
·
I am sure you have people you admire, whom are a
couple and why?
Dixie Chicks,
Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, artists that all showed America itself when it was
necessary to do so, despite whatever backlash.
·
Is there anyone you would love to collaborate
with musically? I can think of some great singers that would be vocally
perfection with you and I am sure you do.
D’Angelo would be
a dream collaboration
