In Conversation With #287 - Michigander
Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jason Singer aka Michigander - has just released his self-titled debut album via Totally Normal/Thirty Tigers.
The last decade has seen Michigander quietly emerge as a 21st century troubadour whose deft balance of rock energy, alternative adventurousness, and heart-on-his-sleeve songcraft has endeared him to audiences and critics alike. Born in Michigan and based in Nashville, singer, songwriter, and producer Jason Singer has steadily tallied over 100M worldwide streams across a series of EPs, including 2018’s Midland, 2019’s Where Do We Go From Here, and 2021’s Everything Will Be OK Eventually, highlighted by such breakthrough tracks as “Misery” (17.5M streams) and “Let Me Down” (10.7M streams). Last year saw Michigander’s It Will Never Be The Same EP arrive to high profile praise from such outlets as NPR, which declared, “It’s impossible not to root for Singer, whose mix of optimism and vulnerability in his music has been one of indie rock’s most exciting stories in the last few years.” Michigander further won over fans with live performances alongside Silversun Pickups and Pete Yorn as well as at such festivals as Lollapalooza. Now, with the long awaited release of his self-titled debut album, Michigander embraces an even greater sonic confidence on a collection sure to resonate for a long time to come.
He took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Jason, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
I'm doing pretty good. It's pretty surreal, I feel like I've worked my whole life for this and to have it finally out there for people is very fulfilling. I just really hope folks take a little time to sit down with this record and intentionally listen through it all as a whole, at least once.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes or funny stories you are willing to share with us?
I recorded it here in Nashville with my producer Jeremy Lutito. One story i can think of is on Giving Up before the guitar solo. We thought about having a break in the music to really let the guitar solo fly, so we recorded a shotgun. which is the first time a firearm was in a recording session for me.
What are the key influences behind the album?
I think for this record I went back and listened to a lot of the stuff I was listening to when I first REALLY started listening to music. A lot of stuff from the early 2000s. Like The Killers, Blur, TV on The Radio. When I was younger my main source of music discovery was going to the local library and renting CDs and a lot of those artists were really formative for me.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
GREAT question....hmmm....maybe Office Space? I feel like when I watch that movie it reminds me of the world I grew up in. Its also a movie thats funny but also depressing, which is probably how I would describe myself.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
Yeah I think its on Spitting Image; "Its boring explaining to the friends you've been avoiding, why everyone you love becomes annoying". As I'm getting older I'm starting to really be picky about the people i surround myself with. I'm learning that just because you grow apart from someone doesn't automatically mean that person is automatically a bad person. It just means life has taken you in a different direction,
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
I think I'm just gonna try to get on the road and play these new songs as much as people. Thats my favorite part of this job. I love being in the room with actual human beings. Those are the moments I cherish.
