Getting to Know… Michael Webster | Interview 🎤

In the 314^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from English singer/songwriter Michael Webster.

“Ithink the main distinction with my music is my guitar style, which you can properly tell when I’m playing live.” Right on, 🎙 Michael Webster! The English singer/songwriter expounds, “I basically just got fed up with losing plectrums, so I started to play with my fingers.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the musician’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… Michael Webster: Interview No. 314!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

🎤 I think the main distinction with my music is my guitar style, which you can properly tell when I’m playing live. I basically just got fed up with losing plectrums, so I started to play with my fingers, and over a few years, I’ve got a style that people often tell me that they can tell I’m playing, haha.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did your musical career start and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

🎤 I started performing back in 2014 or so and easily had the naivety to think that it would be plain sailing! I wanted to get a bunch of releases out and write songs, one of which I managed to do – the releases, not so many back then. It took me ages to get them recorded and to a point where I was happy with them, but looking back, I’m glad I did.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

🎤 Nowadays I’m much more focused on production – I love performing and writing, but my heart’s set on production for other artists. However, I do this in conjunction with the label I run, which makes it a lot easier for me to do it. For my own music, I just want to play tunes to people and have a laugh with them! I’m not so fussed about playing huge stages, I just want to enjoy myself and create an environment where people can be themselves.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

🎤 Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Sleater-Kinney, Phoebe Bridgers.. the list goes on. I have a pretty ridiculous music taste, I listen to a lot of indie/rock but also I’m a huge fan of pop, hip-hop, and old-school country music… It’s all tied in together to influence me – especially lyrically, I try to use the techniques and styles that they use to create something that’s more unique for me!

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.  

🎤 I’ve performed SO many times over the last few years now, I’ve witnessed fights, arguments, and things breaking – I think the worst one for me was getting jumped before hosting a festival that I put on. I had a cracked rib, and a black eye, and still ended up performing… commitment to it, I guess?

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

🎤 I think my favourite one is probably 🎵 “Single Malt”. It’s a real sad song, but it came from a place where I was really feeling it and it’s a real outburst of emotion, it all came out in one and I was like, hey, that’s it. No need to change anything about it.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

🎤 Hmm. I’m not entirely sure about this, haha. I think potentially the thing that surprises most people is when they find out I have an HNC in electrical engineering. A lifetime ago!

Closing out, what are you currently working on, or promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.   

🎤 I’ve got LOADS of plans, not only for myself but otherwise. I’ve planned out some amazing gigs for next year for some of my good friends, working on a bunch of releases for other artists, production, and the such – plus, I’m hoping to get my new EP out by the end of the year!

Follow… Michael Webster: IG • Facebook • Spotify

Getting to Know… Michael Webster: Interview No. 314  [📷: Brent Faulkner, Darkmoon_Art, luis2500gx, Michael Webster, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, OpenClipart-Vectors]