We were fortunate enough to grab this interview with Detroit, Michigan’s Mike Leslie Band.
If you would like to listen while you read, click play below.
Who makes up the Mike Leslie Band and what does each member contribute?
Mike Leslie on guitar and vocals, Mike Parrott on bass and vocals, and Mike Swain on drums and percussion.
How did you guys come together? I understand it was recently, is that correct?
Yes, I had played and written music with Parrott before in some other bands.
I drifted into doing my own thing almost a year ago and got really serious about writing songs. I met Swain through playing with local bands and asked him to help produce and record my new songs. It got to the point where I really needed extra help and luckily, Parrott, one of the best bass players and singers I know, was available.
The band really formed and molded at Tapwater Productions studio in downtown Detroit this summer. We worked out the songs in the studio, on a beautiful spot right on the river next to Chene Park.
What are some of the other bands you all played in before forming the Mike Leslie Band?
Parrott and I were in a band called Breach for about 4 years. It was a lot of fun and we made a lot of great lasting friendships.
We also played in 3 Sheets, which is one of the best cover bands in Detroit.
Swain played in a band called Vox Maui which put out some incredible original music. He also has his own electronic project called Under Clouds. You can check his music out at www.undercloudsmusic.com.
What influences your songwriting?
I write lyrics mostly stream of consciousness, and I sometimes write songs in a couple of minutes. Sometimes it takes months. I don’t plan to write.
It’s really just a reflection of what I feel at the moment, and I write at the weirdest times. I take a lot of songwriting influences from The Beatles, Brian Wilson, and Elliott Smith.
Are you from Detroit originally? What is the scene like in that area?
I grew up in metro Detroit and have lived there my whole life. Since I’ve been involved in music the Detroit scene has taken many turns, but one thing that has always stayed is the raw, edgy power Detroit has always had.
You can hear it in all types of music from here. From the MC5 all the way to the White Stripes, and the incredible Electronica scene.
The city is dirty, dangerous, crime-ridden, and neglected. But it makes up for it with pure soul.
There’s an amazing Art museum, Opera house, and college downtown. There’s lots of great venues to see great live music in Detroit. It’s really an awesome place for music and art.
Do you record in your own studio? Or is there a favorite studio where you record?
We recorded the album at Tapwater Productions located inside the Elevator building in Downtown Detroit.
It’s a really old building with a long history. It was definitely the best recording experience I’ve ever had.
Swain also has his own home studio where we laid down some guitar and organ tracks.
Are there any engineers or producers you prefer working with?
We found the absolute perfect combination working with our friends Dilan Wade and Tyler Duncan. Swain is also an amazing producer himself.
Who did you work with on your newest album?
Dilan is the engineer and owner of Tapwater. He is probably the easiest and fastest engineers to work with.
Before recording this album, I had some nightmares in recording studios. With Dilan, it becomes a fun and creative atmosphere, and you leave the bullshit at the door.
Tyler Duncan mixed and mastered the album. He’s based in Ann Arbor and is a highly accomplished musician and producer, and one of the gosh darn nicest guys ever. His production is truly art and magic. You can check out his stuff at www.tylerduncanmakesmusic.com.
If anyone is ever looking for recording and production in Michigan, I would highly recommend these guys. We were also very lucky to have our friend Drew Schultz, who was the drummer for The Four Tops at the time, play percussion on our track “Sooner or Later”.
Embers (video)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBnx4Vi-VXQ
How long have you been creating music?
I started playing guitar at around 15 and started writing at around 16. I’m 25 now, and have had a great experience creating music. Above anything, it has been intrinsically rewarding.
What sparked your interest and led you down this journey called music?
I started playing so I could learn to play and sing Nirvana songs. Right now I can’t think of my life without music. It’s pretty recent that I’ve decided to devote 150% to music.
The deciding factor was the realization that there hasn’t been one moment in my entire music career where I’ve said “Man, I wish I wasn’t doing this right now”.
Has the Internet / Social Media helped you? Not helped you?
As a completely independent artist, the internet/Social Media has been incredibly helpful.
It gets really overwhelming at times, but in the end it’s perfect for doing what you set out to do, and that’s sharing your love of music with others. Sites like Facebook and YouTube have been especially helpful for us to connect with fans that are further away.
Do you have any advice for bands (new to marketing on the Internet) that might be trying to figure out how to use social media to their advantage?
Yes, it’s actually really simple—just be social.
If you put the time into talking to your fans, sharing other peoples stuff, and meeting new people, you are going to see results. You have to keep people up to date on everything. Remember, the more you give, the more people will give back.
What would you say is the biggest challenge you face in the current state of the music business as an independent band?
The biggest challenge of being an independent band is being independent.
When you’re brand new and starting out, nobody gives a shit about you. Sometimes you can get lucky and get found and taken care of, but you can never rely on that.
Chance favors the prepared mind. In the end nobody else is going to make things work but yourself. You have to have the overriding belief that your music has to be heard and that nobody is going to make that happen but you.
From what I understand, the industry has changed a lot, and it’s becoming easier to be independent, especially with the internet. But unfortunately this means there is so much more trends, fads, and competition. You just have to stick to what you love, and those who love you.
What’s one thing you would say to a new artist that you wish someone had told you when you first started down this path?
I wish somebody would have told me that you have to figure out exactly what you want, and put in 110% and go get it. You really can’t rely on anybody but yourself. I’ve learned that the hard way.
Are there any accomplishments from your past or anything coming in the future worth noting? Feel free to brag 🙂
At my senior year in high school I won the school’s battle of the bands playing my original song. But nothing else worth noting.
Our release party for our first album, Mike Leslie Band EP, is going to be Dec. 8th at the Magic Stick in Detroit.
This one should be epic, and I’m hoping it will be one of the best shows of my career.
What music have you been listening to for the past month?
I’ve re-listened to The Beatle’s White Album a bunch of times because I found an unopened copy in a box somewhere.
I also really like the Alabama Shakes. I’ve also been listening to Chet Baker all the time. A lot of old Jazz like Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong.
I’ve been trying to learn how to play old ragtime blues like Blind Blake. A lot of local music too, like The Marvins’ new record and the Olllam’s new record.
Do you have an album available and where can people find you online?
You can check out our website where you can preview and buy the new album. All of our social media websites end with /mikeleslieband so they are pretty easy to find. We are really involved with our Facebook.
Any last words or shout-outs?
Have to say thank you to the insane amount of people who have supported and believed in us so far. We have so much to give back, and so much to look forward to. It’s a really exciting time to be alive right now so you have to make every day count. I’ve got to admit it’s getting better all the time.
