Michael Stagliano
Gig Seeker Pro

Michael Stagliano

Band Pop Acoustic

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Michael Stagliano Turns This Interview Upside Down"

Michael Stagliano took the time to sit down with The Examiner to answer a few questions about his music. Thank you Michael for your time and we look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis at Birdys on October 4th!

You won America's hearts on The Bachelorette even though you didn't get the 'final rose', how does it make you feel that people of all ages are so excited about Michael Stagliano? I think that might be a little much, hahaha. While I will say that quote un-quote America has been unbelievably kind and responsive and given me loads to smile about, it sometimes feels like they are more excited about the idea of Michael Stagliano than the actual person, ya know? For example I'm starting to realize wherever I go if someone recognizes me from the show they immediately want me to breakdance!!! HAHA, and I am 25 and in breakdancing years 25 is 85. Dont get me wrong I still love to get down!!! But yea it seems like people like my "edit" more than they like "me", and though those things are very close to each other... It feels like I have more to offer than my time on The Bachelorette.

How did your time on the show inspire your music? I think that question has two answers. An obvious product of my time on the show is the song i wrote for Jillian. I heard a saying of hers, "You have to slay a few Dragons before you get to the Prince" and I literally heard it...sounded it out, and wrote it start to finished in about 15 minutes. Is that not the definition of inspiration?!?! The second part is that I have always been an adventure hound with a nose for mischief and finding out Where The Wild things actually are...you know? So my time on the show (about 2 months) opened up this whole avenue of adventure-sparked creativity that has made me come along with new songs and a new zest for music.

How long have you been writing songs and playing music? Since i was 18!!! So 7 years. But i need to qualify (quantify?) that a little more. Right now i am a songwriter that performs my own songs. While i absolutely play music along with them (guitar) i dont think i could consider myself a musician yet. I havent mastered the guitar. I cant make IT sing. I will say that i have been writing songs for 7 years and playing music/guitar for 4 years...does that make any sense?

You grew up in Chicago and now live in NYC, which city do you identify with more? Are you more of a Midwest or an East Coast guy? OH i am fo SHO a Midwest boy at heart. But i have to break that down a little bit too. I think i have eyes for the big lights of NYC, and part of me feels at home here...i have been here for 3 years and it is the one time in my life where i think i would say it feels like i have stepped of the treadmill and actually put some road behind me. BUT im also a surfer at heart, i love the ocean and the waves and gliding on the water, sand in the hair and dolphins under your board...THAT is where a good part of my lives as well. BUUUTTT!!! I think my heart, my personality, my character that is all Midwesterner fa show!!! I love midwest peeps. how do i say: "They iz my possie"...???

Where do you get the inspiration for your lyrics? Lyrics are a funny thing. I think i could best relate them (it) to drinking whisky. You are never really sure who is in control. Or when you lose control. But are you damn sure that it feels good and warm and when it (they) get inside you....all you want to do is sing... HAHAHA WHAOW! I think inspiration for lyrics comes from everywhere and nowhere. The deepest darkest emotion, or the imgainational whim like a breath of air can produce a verse or a chorus. Thats what is so beautiful about writing music. There is an endless landscape to play with and mold, to pull from and dive into. I dig it.

Did you take lessons on the guitar or are you self-taught? I am 100% self-taught which i am starting to regret. For obvious reasons I would love to know the notes I am playing, learn my scales and really master the guitar. While I think you can get close to that being self taught...I always feel like I have 2 left hands when i start "jamming" during a set. I'm so limited. But as I mentioned before, I am a writer...right now. Im a songwriter. I will always want to Master words before I master strings on a guitar. This is not to say that it isnt BADASS to master both of those things, and there are loads of artists who have done it... and I want to be one of them too. hahaha...here....short answer....self taught.

Who are some of your influences? I pull from every where. I mean my first love was bboying and listening to 'breaks" I love James Brown and tracks that touch your soul and move your feet. HOT DAMN. But im also a lyricist you know? So im a big Dave Mathews fan, Ben Harper, Lyle Lovett, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Coldplay....but Im also way into Kings Of Leon, My Chemical Romance, Foo Fighters...music with more edge though i dont think much of the latter stuff ends up in my music.

You have a sound all your own, but are there any artists you relate to or have been compared to? I think I am most commonly associated with Jack Johnson and John Mayer....Breathy voice, lyrically based, upbeat, sweet sounding, driving music type sounds.

You are also a talented breakdancer, will you ever couple that with your music? The ideal scenario is give people a show unlike any in the world. where you literally just have no idea what could happen next. One minute there is a long lyricallsong, jammin out, soft lights, smoke in the air, anthem...next song you just feel a sub-woofer...nasty bass POUNDING in your chest. Lights up, stage moves...and PLOW dance routine, bboying, in your face choreography...Next song...drum line, crazy percussion like the blue man group (i played drums for 6 years)...I want to give people a show they havent ever seen where they are always on thier toes, guessing as to what might happen next. WHAOW!!!

Somehow with breakdancing and music you still have time to write children's books! Does your music inspire your books and vice versa? IM TALKING FA SHOW...Matter of fact a song I have called "Where I Dream" is taken from a poem at the very beginning of my book. I changed the words around a little bit but the ideas and feel of the two are identical.

Your charisma and crowd rapport are both refreshing and rare, how do you stay so positive and humble? HAHAHA ill start with humble...look. lets be honest. Im a NERD. i think i do a pretty good job of hiding it. but lets drop the curtain for a minute. First, im terrified of girls. My face gets red, i blush, i choke on my own tounge trying to talk...its awful. Second i LOVE fantasy books and video games...nuff-said. Third. cool people suck. have you ever hung out with them? its awful. you spend the whole time constantly feeling you did something wrong, or that your about to do something wrong, or that you cant be yourself....aarrghhh. So i think its just science...im just me, and i dont think that is anything special. Cause you know what. at the end of the day we are all just people. we all breath the same air, try to pay the bills, stay out of jail and do the horizontal hokie pokie every once in awhile... We are ALL cool in our own way, and i see no reason at all to set aside time trying to get people to think IM cool. hahahahah, ya know?? who cares!!?? I like making people laugh more than anything in the world, so i guess thats where the positive side comes in, and i am ALL ABOUT looking dumb for a laugh as long as it gets you smiling and dropping your worries for a few mintues. ya dig?

Which of your songs means the most to you and why? This going to sound awful. But i think (hope) its true for most artists....the newest song that I wrote usually means the most to me. Because it is an example of the fact that im still kicking, im still pumping, my pistons are grinding and the swirls of color in my head are churning and burning and still spitting out songs. And because humans are creature that use up entertainment like good food. we consume and crap it out and want the next plate full. thats not entirely accurate of my songs. I STILL LOVE each and every song. but I am most fascinated by the newest one. I think the song I ALWAYS love playing is "Coming Home". It's sad but in a beautifully happy sort of way. Like im singing about the most important thing the world, that I am away from, but so glad its there...

What are your goals beyond a career in music? OOOOoooooo....too many. seriously. I want to be a published Author more than anything in the world. I want kids all over the country and the world to read my book and LOSE themselves in another world for awhile!!! I also want to act. I LOVE ACTING, and have had some success with it so far. About 15 episodes of All My Children, and As The World Turns, A National Dominos Commercial, and loads of acting classes. It is a REAL passion of mine, and it is a true art form that gets me SO excited!! its really challenging too!

Are there any particular songs by other artists that have special meaning to you? YES!!! Ready for this one!!! NOPE your not. its called Stand Out...and its in A Goofy Movie. i dont know who the artist is. but that song JACKS me up. i love it. I also LOVE So Much to Say/Two Step by DMB. they ALWAYS bring me back to 8th grade. And I am always going to have a spot in my heart for "Why Georgia" by John Mayer...AND River of Dreams by Billy Joel. AANNDD "Guyute" by Phish. WHAOW!

If you could play with any artist living or from the past, who would it be and why? I mean i think it would have to be John Mayer. I gotta be honest. I havent heard the best things about him. But i really feel his music, and would love to a part of it on stage. I think we have similar sounds and could put on a crazy good show. WHAOW!!

Tell me more about the essence of WHAOW! HAHAHAHA...OH...you mean the word that has been a part of every answer in this interview??? Whaow! Is my declaration of someone/something that gets me fired up. That I dig!!!, that makes me happy, gets my excited. But its deeper than that too. I think its a life mentality I carry around. A sort of roll with punches, laugh at the dark grey clouds and the rain storm blowing in your face, eat all the icecream you want and be happy when you look in the mirror. You are YOU and there is a whole day, a whole year, a whole LIFE out there waiting for you to tackle it, wrestle it to the ground, punch it in the teeth and say HEY... I am checking outta here on top, so PEACE OUT homies....its been Reaaaaal!!! Its about LOVE too though...boy is it ever about love. Cause you know what. people deserve love. not ALL people. but about 98% of them do. There is no reason to judge, or bash on people, talk behind backs, or even complain. Just give hugs...dish out compliments, dance with your pants off, smile when others are frowning and whatever you do.

WHATEVER YOU DO IN LIFE....find one person that you are going to LOVE exclusively and with all of you. With no secrets, inhabitions or doubts... And when you find her/him. Come find me, whenever that may be...and tell me you wont want to look me in the eyes take me to the top of a mountain and scream: WHAOOOOW!!!

Well said Michael. Thanks for your time!

- examiner.com


Discography

Live in New York City available on cdbaby.com

Photos

Bio

Michael Stagliano charmed his way into the heart of America when he wasnt granted the final rose on ABC's 'The Bachelorette' this season. His charisma, passion, vibrance, and magnetic personality made him a fan favorite and his presence was immediately missed once he tearfully left the show. His heart is as big as his personality and as vast as his many aspirations.

The 25 year old children's book writer, actor, and breakdancer is also an aspiring musician. Michael's charisma and celebrity may bring his fans to shows, but they will leave falling in love with his music.

His melodies are simple, yet profound and each song tells it's own story with honest, raw, insightful, and poetic lyrics. His palpable on stage energy and indelible spirit are both refreshing and rare, but Michael proves fan appreciation is not a lost art. He's accesible to his fans (he recently accepted as many friends as Facebook would allow) and extremely grateful for their support. A self described 'nerd', he doesn't take himself too seriously and though some of his lyrics are tender and sensitive, he keeps it light between the sets with his quirky persona and his energy-inducing power word, 'WHAOW'!

His humble and effervescent rapport with the crowd is refreshing and makes it feel as if he is singing to you, for you. If you are fortunate enough to hear his rich acoustic set, you leave hoping he succeeds in this often cruel music industry and when he does, you somehow know he will not change.