PREMIERE/INTERVIEW: Mike Shannon – Sarksalsa [Onysia] [MI4L.com]

Music is 4 Lovers · Mike Shannon – Sarksalsa [Onysia] [MI4L.com]

 

Brooklyn based Onysia brings together a diverse yet cohesive VA spanning in sound from upbeat minimal house to classic disco infused grooves and progressive keyboard driven compositions, all while staying true to the sound the label has carved out over the past few years. With an all-star lineup which includes Rick Wade, Mike Shannon, Jeremy Sylvester, Tommy Vicari Jnr and J Gabriel, there is something for everyone in this power packed 5 track release.

 

We had a chance to catch up with Mike Shannon ahead of the release. 

Q: Hey Mike! Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into music, and how long have you been producing music? 

I got into djing when I was 12 years old.  I had the opportunity to play music at an all ages dance club from time to time in my hometown.  At around 16 years old I started getting into making music when I bought my first synth and a sequencer.  Some of my best friends and I started to pool our gear together and set up a studio.  Years later I would start releasing some music on a few labels like Blue records and my own Cynosure Recordings. At that point I had already started playing regularly in the Toronto area and years later would start touring internationally. 

 

I’m purely driven by the thirst for cash and fame. Capitalism and greed is my creed.  I imitate what is trendy and selling at the time and then try to reproduce that. These days my motivation has gone down a bit due to AI doing all the work for me.  Not sure where I fit in anymore as an “artist”… Just kidding.

Q: Walk us through the inspiration behind your latest release, “Sarksalsa”.

Years ago I was hanging in the studio with the lovely Dani Ramos and Guti, chilling, working on music. They invited Sarkis to join us and play… this guy was beyond anyone that’s ever graced my studio. His level of keys are on another level.. A higher dimension if you will.  Genius.  He needs to be heard more and if I or Guti have anything to say about it we will shine a light on him whenever we can. Im really excited to get this track out there! Keep your eyes out for Sarkis! 

Q: If you could name one thing, what’s something you’re particularly proud of since starting this journey?

Just played an epic live session for the Mutek festival Montreal’s 25th anniversary that I was very proud of. I ended the session with my daughter getting up on stage with me and signing on the last track.  She had been rehearsing with me for awhile before the concert but nothing can really prepare you for this level of anxiety when you get up on stage in front of a big crowd. It was such a proud moment for me to see her overcome the fear and ride it with me on stage. If that’s not something to be proud about I don’t know what is. “Cause It Feels” is one of the tracks we wrote together and it’s a part of a forthcoming album of hers coming next year.  Something else to keep your eyes open for!

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?

Just released a new EP on my label Cynosure Recordings together with Chile’s Felipe Valenzuela. It’s the first of our new project called Calcio Club. Remixes from Thomas Melchoir and Flabbergast will follow on the next release.