This is our fourth interview with you already, time sure flies, and it’s always a pleasure working with you!
You’ve been working hard on your new project ‘In The Q’, we’ll be going more in depth on this throughout the interview, but give us a quick overview on what this project is all about for you.
Michael Egleton: I’d first like to thank MuzicNotez Music Magazine, Nick and the great staff, music reviewers and writers who have written the articles and reviews and worded them in a way that invites the readers and listener in to explore who and what Michael Egleton is all about. This has affected my music career in such a powerful way. It has increased my fan base and listenership exponentially.
Yes, time has flown and it’s been a great trip! Thank you for sticking with me on my musical journey. You have made the difference in my music career.
My new independent project for 2017, “In The Q” is a musical expression of the life and times of 2016 for me. It deals with my emotions, my thoughts and my feelings for the past year. There are a few fun tunes on this project but alot of it deals with real life for me and my 2016 treck. The title came from my sitting and thinking about all the plans I have for this project and 2017, things a want to do and I just said to myself, it’s in the q to be done. Then it hit me, this is my title, “In The Q”!
This project will also demonstrate my musical growth as an artist, song writer and arranger. Each project I’ve done has gotten better and better because I’m starting to understand structure of telling my story and putting it to music. This project is my best example of that.
There will be instrumentals like the one mentioned, the 2017 preview of “Let’s Dance” that will be featuring my good friend and gifted saxophonist, Bob Esterle. I’ll also have lyrical songs like the Gospel cross over, “Where Do I Go”. I’ll be introducing a powerful singer and artists, Ms Ginger Pittman-Ferguson from right here in Akron, Ohio. She’s a well known, powerful Gospel, Jazz and Soul artist who you’ve already heard as one of my background singers on songs from my award winning independent project from 2014, A Look Into My Heart and my most recent offering That’s Alright the Rewindin Behind These Walls featuring Bob Esterle. Ginger, as I call her, is well known in the Akron-Cleveland and regional areas and as far away as Nashville, TN! She has sang with quite a few Gospel heavy weights also as background support.
She’ll be doing what she does best, sang!
“Where Do I Go”, is written and arranged by myself and will be produced by Mr Wes McCraw of Creekside Audio in Norton, Ohio.
“Where Do I Go” is a song that deals with what goes through one’s mind in times of trouble, hurt, misunderstandings and bewilderment. It asks questions that are very real and humanistic. Some of the lyrics ask, “Where do I go —- when, I’m feeling, kind of low, Who do I talk to When, I don’t know where to go… It asks other questions like, “Where is the love when I need it, When there is none to be found, and the important question that had been what was on my mind recently after I had gone through a horrendous ordeal, “How does my heart began to heal, From the wounds that may about.
The great thing about this song is it also provides an answer without a label of who. “So I run to the one, Who knows just what I need.” Then it proclaims that, ” Your the only one who knows, all about me, You’re the only one who sees and can make it better for me….” OMG!” This song was written through my tears and joy.
On a personal tip, I’m sure she doesn’t mind me telling, as Ginger rehearsed this song, I noticed she had stopped singing. So I came away from the board to see what was going on and she was in tears sobbing. She said, ” This song is just what I needed for this time and space I’m in at this time in my life ….”
This is the kind of music I’m writing for this project. Music that deals with real life. Real questions and in some cases, answers to things that hit you in the face with life. I can’t write about what I haven’t experienced. It won’t touch, help or heal when and where it’s supposed to. This why I try to end every writing in words that are real to me, Music for the Body. Music from the Soul. Music of the Heart. Because it is. It is my hope and prayer that this Gospel-Crossover, “Where Do I Go”, will reach those who it is supposed to. The plan is to break it out in concert real soon! All of the info will be posted when decisions are made.
Other music on this project is dealing with emotions like, “The Love Has Gone”, “I don’t Want To Do This Anymore” and “Love Song”.
As always there will be a little for everyone.
MuzicNotez Crew: The first single we featured on MuzicNotez from the new project was ‘Let’s Dance’, what was the inspiration behind this track?
Michael Egleton: The single “Let’s Dance” featuring the great Bob Esterle on sax is a smooth Jazz cut that invites one to relax and move to the breeze of this cut. It’s an airy type of mix. From its weird start to the surprise inside. With the driving floor bass drum to the muted trumpet that checks in, this cut seems to set one free. Then there’s the piano lead where I just closed my eyes and let my imagination run away with me. Bob is in and out on the sax giving one that David Sandbourne effect. To keep you honest, there’s a hit from the horn section. In my mind I saw two lovers all alone in some dark place outside, maybe on a wooden open padio, communing with nature and love, after a quiet dinner and wine, dancing by candle light holding hands and just swaying back and forth in each others arms to the music, every now and then coming apart while yet holding each other’s hand and moving back and forth, hands swinging side to side to the sounds of the night.
My inspiration for this song was imaging just that, happy times when everything was alright. I would go to an open park late at night, turn on my music in the car, have a beverage, maybe a little snack and then just dance to the morning light starts to creep in over the horizon. I’m an emotional person who likes to see the whole picture and video of my thoughts in my mind. Then I put these vibes to song.
MuzicNotez Crew: Every time I talk to you, you have new music for me to listen to! It seems you’re always writing, is that the case? Where does all the inspiration draw from?
Michael Egleton: Yes, I’m always writing. It’s therapeutic for me. Helps me to get it out and stay sane in this crazy world. I was once asked do I get the lyrics first or the music first? My answer was, it may happen either way I take it like it comes then refine it.
My inspirations come from life, my situation and what I’m experiencing at the time. Every now and then I’m hit with something from my past. Like deja-vu it hits me and I began to write my feelings.
I also watch people and there life journeys, emotions, how situations affect them, their reactions to situations and compare it to my own life and what I might have done or do. This is how I keep my songs real and relatable. My songs are from life experiences not some pie in the sky thing I know nothing about. Example a person who may be experiencing sickness or relationship problems. I know about these things. I know about going through them and coming out of them. I know about hurt. All types of hurt from love to losing someone important in your life, whether it be a relative or friend. I know what it’s like to get bad news about sickness from the outside and inside. The stress. The thoughts of, “what am I going to do now…” The stress of living and trying to make it from one day to the next. Where the next meal is coming from, I have to feed my family. What’s going on in the social climate. Many GREAT songs were born out of the Vietnam era. Yes, I’m old enough to remember those days. Oh I could tell you some stories….
To me, 2016 was one of the worse years of my life when it comes to loss. It started with the sudden an highly unexpected death of my younger brother who I had really developed a real closeness with to 24 hours later my sister being murdered by her lover and 20 days later her 19 year old son giving up and just, dying. The loses just kept coming throughout the year. There were other issues but there were also a few happy times and glimmers of hope for the year.
As you see, I have a well to write from and I can in many case relate to one’s feelings on many situations.
Writing real music that really hit home, not that other music isn’t real because it is real to the writer as it relates to their story, is not always popular or lucrative. People go to the club and bar for many different reasons. One must consider themselves and tap into their compassion for another and understand why the creator has place them in the position of speaking a language that goes past all understanding. It goes where words can’t. It can change the heart and mind of a person. Make them say yes when they would say no. Make them stay and give another, one more chance when they know they shouldn’t. Cause one to live instead of die. Change the very continence of a man or woman. How many times have you heard a song that made you reconsider a situation or change direction? Ok I’m on a tangent! lol
MuzicNotez Crew: What’s easier for you in the writing process, the musical element playing the piano, or writing lyrics?
Michael Egleton: Both can be a little of a challenge for me. lol When I write lyrics, they often blind side me when I’m doing something else so I grab a piece of paper, tear of a brown bag or anything I can write on and began to write as it comes. Many times a song or lyrics hit me in the middle of the night!
I don’t read music so that’s where the maturity in arranging comes in. I listen to how things should fit. Whether it’s music or lyrics. I try to develop a situation and rhythm of reading a short story to music. I go down to my little studio and began to lay tracks of the instruments I hear to the song in my head. Once I’ve gotten the basic sound and arrangement I like , I began to refine and ad the accents to give the music and song shape and life. All the time being concious of where the lyrics may fit in.
MuzicNotez Crew: Who else are you all working with on this new ‘In The Q’ project?
Michael Egleton: On this new independent project I’ll be working with my main stays, Mr Wes McCraw of Creekside Audio, Norton, Ohio and Mr Samuel Haygood of N-DA-Groove Productions, Atlanta, GA. These two great men and producers are like family to me. They’re not afraid to say NO that can’t go in the song. Also as you may know at MuzicNotez I’m a loyal person who believes if aint broke, don’t fix it! Wes, Sam and myself think so much alike. It’s to the point of almost reading each other’s mind. Hearing the same things in a song. I love them like brothers and try to include them in everything I’m doing.
I like to bring new names into the group also. Someone gave me a chance so I try to spread the same opportunities that were afforded to me.
I’ll be including production work and a song from Mr Derek Gelispie, GeeFunk Productions in Akron, Ohio, who is also my drummer and the drum programmer on this project, will present will the song he wrote the music to and I’ll be writing lyrics to, “I Want To Say This”, He has plenty of experience in the music industry. He was once a part of the popular band playing the clubs and recording in Atlanta, GA during the 80’s, Eastern Parkway who later traveled to California to sign a big record deal that eventually fell through because of band issues. He was also a part of the popular Akron band Vital Connection in 1986. This is his first time out as a producer and I have full confidence he will deliver.
The next guest will be the gifted pianist, Mr David Rookard who was also a member of the popular Eastern Parkway crew and played with Mr James Jamerson of the famous Motown ‘Funk Brothers’. He has written and played for many artists and performers. He also studied accounting and music UCLA in Los Angeles, California where one of his professors actually wrote ‘Can’t Hide Love’ for Earth Wind & Fire. This man is silk on the key!!! He’s also a beautiful person as well who could be playing with anyone of today’s major artists but chose to work with me. He too has a wealth of industry experience.
I’ll have a new background singer added to the group. Mr Wayne Brown will be joining Ms Paula Dupree Smith and Ms Ginger Pittman-Ferguson. Mr Wayne Brown or as I call him Rev., Is a gifted singer and musician. He is someone I have known for many years and know just what he’s capable of. I’ve watched him grow into a very productive man. His voice is magic. He’s the Pastor of a thriving Akron, Ohio area church which has a following of young people of whom many are very talented. See, I make music anyone can sing.
I’ll be also working with my band members, Mr David Anderson of the popular 70 and 80’s national tour band, Revelation Funk. This man makes a guitar talk and walk! lol I’m Blessed to have him with little ole me!
Also joining me will be Mr Marcus Lee on the fatback! He a very well know bassist in the Akron/Cleveland area who sit in with many music situations from the studio to Jazz, Soul, Gospel and R&B and more.
My guest will be the one and only Mr Bob Esterle. He is a highly sought after saxophonist in the Akron, Cleveland area who recently was sitting with the famous Temptations! I’m sure as the project goes and opportunity presents its self, I’ll invite more individuals to be a part of this great experiment called “In The Q”.
MuzicNotez Crew: I just saw that your latest track from the project you’re working on is entitled ‘Where Do I Go’. This single features the singer from your home town of Akron, Ohio named Ginger Pittman-Ferguson. What’s it been like working with her, and what else can you tell us about the song?
Michael Egleton: Ms Ginger Pittman-Ferguson from right here in Akron, Ohio. She’s a well known, powerful Gospel, Jazz and Soul artist who you’ve already heard as one of my background singers on songs from my award winning independent project from 2014, A Look Into My Heart and my most recent offering That’s Alright the Rewind in Behind These Walls featuring Bob Esterle. Ginger, as I call her, is well known in the Akron-Cleveland and regional areas and as far away as Nashville, TN! She has sung with quite a few Gospel heavy weights also as background support.
Ginger and her family has been a main stay in Akron-Cleveland Gospel circles for years. She has sung with many Gospel choirs and served as background voice support for some of the biggest stars in Gospel Music. She sings this powerful, moving song from her heart and from a place of familiarity with the lyrics. As I watched her rehearse the song, “Where Do I Go”, I watched as the song started to become a part of her. I sat and looked as she applied the song to her life and the personal things she’s experiencing. It was at this time the singing stopped and I look around and saw her in tears as she connected with this song. She will be singing it the same way. From a place that only she knows. After hearing her sing this song and really allowing the song to tell a story, I guarantee it will touch you in way you’ve never been touched before. This song will day view soon here in the Akron area. She’ll be singing it live at a venue to be announced.
MuzicNotez Crew: I know you’ve been tirelessly working day and night on this album, and I’m sure you’re just as excited about releasing it as we are to hear it. When do you think it’ll be officially released?
Michael Egleton: I’m not really putting a premium on the release date just yet. There is yet a lot of work to be done and funds to be raised to do it the right way. That’s another thing I’m learning is to not be bound by time constraints. It will probably be summer but hopefully sooner. This time around I’m loading up to shoot for the top. I want to make sure it’s available to everyone that wants it and that it gets the exposure and saturation it needs to be successful. I really want things to be right. By the book. I’ve given everything to the music. This one I’m giving even more.
MuzicNotez Crew: Will there be any music videos in the works from the album? If so, what tracks were you looking to create videos for first?
Michael Egleton: It’s funny you ask! lol I just had an epiphany! I saw a full production video to one of the songs on the project named, “Candy Thang”. This song has a Motown sound and feel to it from the 60’s with it’s orchestra, horn sections and breaks. It puts your imagination to the juke joint days of New York and Chicago. You know, everyone up hand dancing, spinning and turning, lady’s with the flowing dresses and the men with the shark skinned suits and two toned shoes moving as they do on the floor. The band on stage with the piano player whaling on the upright looking back at the crowd with a cig hanging out of his mouth, The horn section waving the horns up and down as they play their parts, the bass player working out on the fat back and the guitar strumming away with the lead singer out front on one of the big 1940’s mics cruning like Marven Gaye leaning into the crowd making the girls faint. Wow! My producer Wes McCraw has heard it along with Bob Esterle and they are going simply crazy about this song. Wes is dying to get it in the big studio! See what I mean when I say I dream in full, living color and I see the whole thing in my mind. lol If I were to do a video the first world be to this joint, “Candy Thang”! The plan is to have more than one video from this project as time and money permits. Remember I’m independent. lol
MuzicNotez Crew: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Michael Egleton: This is the kind of music I make. Music that deals with real life. Real questions and in some cases, answers to things that hit you in the face with life. I can’t write about what I haven’t experienced. It won’t touch, help or heal when and where it’s supposed to. This why I try to end every writing in words that are real to me, Music for the Body. Music from the Soul. Music of the Heart. Because it is.
Well that’s it my friends, followers and fans! “In The Q”, promises to have a little for everyone. I wanted to get a little more personal this time to make you a part of this independent project and to bring your imagination into what’s going on in the studio. As always in parting, It’s Music for the Body. Music from the Soul. Music of the Heart. As always, thank you to all the listeners and supporters of not only my independent music but all independent music artists. It really is a labor of love of music and you the people.
Talk Soon