Singer/songwriter Danny Michel, who hails from Kitchener/Waterloo but currently resides near a small lake outside of Cambridge, Ontario, just released his fourth solo album, In the Belly of A Whale.
Current fixations:
"Star Trek" is very important to me. Seriously. I think it's a beautiful show. I love the optimistic view of the future, the idea that the earth is at peace, there's no need for money/greed, so everyone can have what they want. Everyone's equal. Too bad we'll miss it all. I imagine the Trek conventions are full of pretty neat people. Sure they're all mega-nerds, but they all share that same hopeful vision. I'd feel safe among them.
Mind-altering work of art:
Chris Ross is a Toronto artist that I recently saw an opening for at the Angell gallery. She's great. Really great!
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
June 1 CD release at Lee's went perfect. It was the most fun I've ever had playing. Emm Gryner, Gavin Brown & Luke Doucet were the band. It was slamm'n. Friday the 13th in Fargo during a thunderstorm is hard to forget too.
What has been your career high and low?
Releasing albums. I promised myself I'll make one a year for as long as I can. It makes me happy to see them all in a row on a shelf. I wait all year for that little row to move half an inch. I can't wait to be 45 and have a foot of CDs. Oh and I will.
What should everyone shut up about?
"Survivor." Y'know, that TV show. All that fuck'n crap. Go out and live life instead of watching other people do it.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for?
The Humane Society.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I guess I like my drive the best. When I decide to do something I do it. Stress is my bad one. Although I take my stress as a compliment. I guess it means I care about something so much I can make myself physically sick over it. Before important shows I get lots of zits. I'm like a kid on prom night. I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Wearing patchouli.
When I think of Canada I think:
Standing at the movie theatre while the national anthem played before any movie. They don't do that anymore. I wish they did. That was the best!
What is your vital daily ritual?
Now that I live out in the woods, it's to get out for a walk through the bush everyday.
How do you spoil yourself?
Good wine.
What was your most memorable day job?
Dispatcher for a courier company = 100% pure hell. Silk screen printer. Chemicals burnt my hands. Swimming pool digger. I was too weak. Mother's Pizza - I got fired.
If I wasn't playing music I would be?
Hopefully something to do with science. An astronaut, palaeontologist, deep-sea diver, or maybe that guy that works the wrecking ball on a demolition site. I don't know. I've never pictured myself doing anything else.
What is your greatest fear?
Charleston Heston.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
That's easy: Flight!
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Girls at "Star Trek" conventions!
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
I think certain kinds of music definitely give off massive sexually energy. Hip-hop for example, that's why it's so popular. On the other hand King Crimson doesn't seem to get folks all wound up.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
I don't have one. Harrison Ford elbowed my manager Jude in the breast by accident the other week.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
"Sushi with Bowie."
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
I think she's OK with what I do.
Current fixations:
"Star Trek" is very important to me. Seriously. I think it's a beautiful show. I love the optimistic view of the future, the idea that the earth is at peace, there's no need for money/greed, so everyone can have what they want. Everyone's equal. Too bad we'll miss it all. I imagine the Trek conventions are full of pretty neat people. Sure they're all mega-nerds, but they all share that same hopeful vision. I'd feel safe among them.
Mind-altering work of art:
Chris Ross is a Toronto artist that I recently saw an opening for at the Angell gallery. She's great. Really great!
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
June 1 CD release at Lee's went perfect. It was the most fun I've ever had playing. Emm Gryner, Gavin Brown & Luke Doucet were the band. It was slamm'n. Friday the 13th in Fargo during a thunderstorm is hard to forget too.
What has been your career high and low?
Releasing albums. I promised myself I'll make one a year for as long as I can. It makes me happy to see them all in a row on a shelf. I wait all year for that little row to move half an inch. I can't wait to be 45 and have a foot of CDs. Oh and I will.
What should everyone shut up about?
"Survivor." Y'know, that TV show. All that fuck'n crap. Go out and live life instead of watching other people do it.
I would drop everything to play a benefit for?
The Humane Society.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I guess I like my drive the best. When I decide to do something I do it. Stress is my bad one. Although I take my stress as a compliment. I guess it means I care about something so much I can make myself physically sick over it. Before important shows I get lots of zits. I'm like a kid on prom night. I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Wearing patchouli.
When I think of Canada I think:
Standing at the movie theatre while the national anthem played before any movie. They don't do that anymore. I wish they did. That was the best!
What is your vital daily ritual?
Now that I live out in the woods, it's to get out for a walk through the bush everyday.
How do you spoil yourself?
Good wine.
What was your most memorable day job?
Dispatcher for a courier company = 100% pure hell. Silk screen printer. Chemicals burnt my hands. Swimming pool digger. I was too weak. Mother's Pizza - I got fired.
If I wasn't playing music I would be?
Hopefully something to do with science. An astronaut, palaeontologist, deep-sea diver, or maybe that guy that works the wrecking ball on a demolition site. I don't know. I've never pictured myself doing anything else.
What is your greatest fear?
Charleston Heston.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
That's easy: Flight!
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Girls at "Star Trek" conventions!
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
I think certain kinds of music definitely give off massive sexually energy. Hip-hop for example, that's why it's so popular. On the other hand King Crimson doesn't seem to get folks all wound up.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
I don't have one. Harrison Ford elbowed my manager Jude in the breast by accident the other week.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
"Sushi with Bowie."
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
I think she's OK with what I do.
