Mic Pro

Check out the interview with Mic Pro exclusively on Skilly Magazine Online.­­­­

Skilly: How were you able to start your journey in the entertainment business? Where did this all start?
Mic Pro: I hustled to buy my own recording equipment and built a home studio so I can record at my own pace which allowed me to record my debut EP Staring Thru My Rearview. I started my own record label Thieves Den Records and made sure everything from my label to my stage name were legally registered with Virginia and BMI. I also used the local music venues and radio stations to build a buzz for my current single “Windows Down.”

What are some of the creative ways you use to promote your music?
For me it starts with the artwork of the single that I’m trying to promote, it’s the first thing that future fans see that draws them in to listen to your song. From there I will record a music video to give the fans a view of what the song would actually look like from a visual perspective. Then begin a small local tour just to keep relevant on the regional scene.

What is the greatest challenge you face in today’s entertainment business? How do you overcome them?
I stay pushing some form of the art whether a single, freestyle video, or artwork just to keep from becoming yesterday’s news. If you lose that buzz you gained from staying active, then it’s like starting the album rollout all over again. Makes the journey a rough ride.

How is the music scene like in your hometown? What do you like about it and what don’t you like?
Since my region doesn’t have a major platform we’ve had to develop our own that stands by itself in promoting local artists. Almost every artist in VA that is making major moves had to become a renaissance person. In VA we have a large live venue scene spread out over the region. You can perform in different areas to make it comfortable for your fans to see you live.

Where do you think the future of music is going to be? How do you feel artists can be more a part of it?
I feel fans are wanting to become personal with the music and want more of an experience from it. People are streaming music rather than buying songs or albums. They want to hear the music on their terms whether they have to pop in a CD and have to skip to what they want to hear.

What advice can you give to other upcoming artists and musicians trying to achieve success?
Invest in themselves if they want to achieve success from this business and reach a higher market. You cannot sell a product without letting the masses know it exists.

What inspires you to write your next song?
I use life experiences to write my music so that it’s personal and from within. To me songs are formed with the eyes then transmitted from the soul and vocal cords.

What are the steps you take to make a song?
I approach each song different, some songs come right to me, and others I have to meditate on the idea of what the song should be before it begins to form. I try to approach recording music from a developing project mindset. Having a base for what I want my project to entail before I set out to begin it, or it will just be a bundle of singles that plays like an album.

What do you think makes a great song?
To me a great song is one that comes from within, one that touches the soul, everything else is ear candy to dance or ride to. There is a difference between something that is cool for the moment and something that grabs you and will stand with you for the rest of your life and shape who you will eventually become.

Where can we connect with you? Can you give us your social media links and where we can contact you?
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/mic-pro
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/micpro
Facebook: www.facebook.com/micpro1
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MicProOfficial - Skilly Magazine