Micky Shiloah

"I want to give people mood swings!" says Micky Shiloah, when asked what type of album he's creating. "Music can create and change a mood...I'd like for people to go through a whole range of emotions while listening to my music..." Sporting a subtle confidence on the outside with a creative fire on the inside, Micky Shiloah certainly stands out amongst his surroundings. As a native New Yorker, his music is heavily influenced by the fast-paced city life as well as the subtle taste of Long Island. “Am I a firecracker? Maybe." he laughs. “I'm a pretty laid-back person, but when I get on stage and perform, that fire comes out!"

That fire was fueled even more when Micky gained the attention of Sony BMG and Nickelodeon. The two companies partnered up to seek out talent for a new boy band, “Big Time Rush”, to be signed to the label and star in a new series for Nickelodeon. “It was an amazing experience”, says Micky. Working with top choreographers, acting coach Cynthia Bain as well as vocal coach/recording artist Mauli B., Micky went through many grueling rounds of singing, dancing and acting during the audition process. “It was literally called Boy Band boot camp! I loved every minute of it and I learned so much.” After the nationwide search, in addition to the two-month consecutive audition process, Micky was the top choice as the lead of the group and performed in 2 showcases for Sony BMG and Nickelodeon executives. “It was such a rush. I had all this nervous energy before the showcase, but as soon as I got on that stage, it felt like magic.” Ultimately, the executives at Nickelodeon decided they wanted to cast a younger lead for the role. “Of course I was disappointed, but I gained so much knowledge about the industry and worked with such great, talented people, I was even more inspired to continue on with my music career.” With the advice of Sony Music A&R Maria Egan, Micky set out to write, perform and create his own sound and style. “After that experience”, he says, “I definitely had a lot to write about!” And write he did. He performed his songs around New York City and Long Island in any venue he could find. This eventually led to him being invited as the featured performer at the annual Bronx Day Festival, hosted by Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., as well as a spot in a charity benefit concert which sponsored the American Cancer Society.

Sounds Like Life, the album Micky has been working on, takes you on a journey through a young man's eyes. "The songs I’ve written for this album definitely reflect me and who I am and have been as a person. But more importantly, I believe they reflect the lives of most young people who are transitioning into adulthood and trying to find themselves." He also pays special attention to one aspect of his songs: The melody. "I'm a sucker for a melody. Seriously, give me an amazing melody and I'm hooked. I start with a melody as the base and then build the rest of the song up from there.” Micky is keen to present a wide array of song selection, avoiding sounds that are too similar. "I hear some artists say that their album is eclectic, but it isn't. I hate it when all the songs sound alike. It's like ordering a meal without the side dish, a steak without the eggs...I like some variety on my plate!" Though he claims his album can fall into many genres, he does admit that it starts with his main genre, "Pop. That's where my base is. But I believe that pop music crosses a broad spectrum. I think it's easy to write a pop song--it's what you do with it next that makes it really interesting."