MiG Ayesa

Australian vocalist Mig Ayesa's solo piano take of Peter Frampton's '70s über-ballad "Baby, I Love Your Way" was a welcome surprise on the 2004 CBS reality competition Rock Star: INXS. As the rest of the contestants oversang, writhed on-stage, and generally schlocked things up, Ayesa stripped back his approach and let his boyish charm and soft vocals make the most of Frampton's popular if somewhat unfairly critically maligned hit. The move helped propel him into the final three on the show, although he ultimately was not picked to be the new lead singer of the rock band INXS. Frankly, with his yearning, high-pitched voice more suitable for Coldplay-style alt-rock and Eric Carmen-esque AOR than straightforward rock and funk, Ayesa was never a good fit for the '80s Aussie icons. Which is why Ayesa's 2007 solo debut album, Mig, comes as a pleasant surprise. Playing as a better-produced version of the Mig viewers saw on Rock Star, the album finds Ayesa not only revisiting his now trademark "Baby, I Love Your Way" -- which features Frampton on guitar -- but also other superbly chosen cover tunes such as the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset," the Police's "Wrapped Around Your Finger," and the Rolling Stones' "Angie." These are impeccably produced arrangements that frame Ayesa's pleasing vocals with tasteful orchestration and enough electric muscle to give the proceedings a bit a glam rock sheen. If his take on David Bowie's "Life on Mars" is a bit too close to the original, it only serves to point out how covers-heavy the album is. That said, the few Ayesa originals included here, such as the sweeping, bright pop anthem "She Loved" and the Raspberries-influenced power ballad "You and I," are as memorable and engaging as anything else on the album. In that sense, Mig reveals Ayesa -- pictured with his large mop of shiny black hair and action-figure outfits -- as a kind of contemporary anime lounge singer ready to do battle with giant rock opera robots and sweep his princess away in his piano starship. - Matt Collar

By Edd Aragon
INQUIRER.net

This young Filipino-Australian was one of three finalists in an international competition Rock Star INXS held last year, in a search to replace Michael Hutchence. MiG has definitely scored international stardom. Blame the power of TV.

MiG Ayesa has ruthlessly competed with the best in the rock
industry and he's back in Australia to launch his self-titled album “MiG” this month before the US launch in March.

EA: Hello, MiG. Can you still speak Filipino, mate?

MA: Hindi. I can speak a little bit in pieces, like I know the difference between mabaho (stinky) and mabuhay (long live), baduy (bad taste) and baboy (pig, piggish), kulangot (snot) and kulelat (laggard) . That's about the extent of my Tagalog, but to be honest I surprise myself. Suddenly I'm saying these phrases coming out from my dila (tongue) – these phrases that are like pretty galing (cool).

EA: That's cute MiG. So you were just two years old when you came to Australia and have only have vague memories of Manila?

MA: Yeah. Well, I was a kid then - but my grandparents fly me and my brothers home for Christmas and New Year in Baguio and Manila. The celebration, the big dinners – it's always a wonderful party because it's always holidays. My cousins and I, we're very close. That's one thing my lolo definitely wanted for us.

EA: Looks like you're at the peak of your energetic life, but how do you see yourself say, ten years from now?

MA: Well, you know, ten years from now hopefully I'll have children by then, and I would love to actually be back in Australia, buy a dream home somewhere in the northern beaches in Sydney, and have the kids go to school in Sydney.

EA: Would you rather be on stage acting and singing or just concentrate on singing?

MA: I would rather…ahhh, I could do everything. I don't know which one I love more. I just have to focus on one at a time. At the moment my focus is recording and singing and music. I guess that's my greatest love.

But I guess if they were to ask me to do something on Broadway, I would really consider it. To answer your question about ten years form now, hopefully I'd have a few albums under my belt, nice to have a Grammy and even an Oscar - one step at a time. You gotta dare to dream, mate.

EA: My, you’re quite prolific. Do profit and being prolific go together in this industry?

MA: I'm not really big on being rich, rich, rich. I'm just keen on not having to worry about money - the freedom that would give you, I think would be a load off the mind. I just wanna be able to know that everything's gonna be ok, my kids have a nice home, and I have not wasted my time.

EA: So you'd rather concentrate on Australia?

MA: I know I'd have to be in the States at the moment, the market at the moment is in the United States and that's where I got a crack. That's where I've been signed from and to break that, everything will sort of fall into place, hopefully. I miss London. I'd love to go back and work in London again.

EA: You became popular in Australia because of the musical “Buddy”?

MA: I played the part of Richie Valens.

EA: Have you come across Filipinos while doing these gigs and things?

MA: Yes, I think I've been more in touch more with the Filipino community ever since Rock Star INXS. They have been so vocal in their support for me – and because they could vote, they felt like it was their duty to make sure that this Filipino made it till the end. They became emotionally involved in the whole process so I'm very proud. I became like a long lost prodigal son of the Phil – the famous prodigal son – so I've done concerts in the Philippines – and made connections with the Filipinos in the US and Australia.

EA: That's terrific, mate. What would you say about a dream to have here in the Fil-Aus community a Pinoy Rock Opera with maybe MiG Ayesa helping out in a rock theatre workshop? There's actually one on the drawing table.

MA: Actually I'd love to do that. I really would. The problem is time. At the moment we're still concentrating on working on the US release in March – we are in the studio writing all the time and recording new stuff. I would love to do so many things but time is just the problem. But if there was a break in the schedule and there was actually time for me to come here and do that, and I get invited to help, I'd love to help.

The reason why I perform and why I do this is because I love it – I don't consider it work – for me it is playing – everything I do is playing. I wanna play for a living. I'm like a kid in a candy store – playing.

If you love what you do you can never consider it as work. You gotta love it. The moment you put a stigma on it, it’s work. We're born to express ourselves – to enjoy what we do. Sometimes we may not enjoy our work, but as long as we know that we work to enjoy something that we like, for example saving money to buy a house, then at least you know what the work will do for you - something that you enjoy.

I'm proud to be a Filipino. People may think that I don't really speak Tagalog or I don't really look Filipino. That's not my fault. I'm actually inspired by other artists who are proud to be Filipino like APL from Black Eyed Peas.

EA: Very heartwarming, MiG. Hey, what are you listening to now?

MA: “Continuum” by John Mayer… and Butch Walker. I'm in the process of song writing at the moment and I find that my weakest point is my lyrics. I can write the melody and music. It's the lyrics that I find that I'm falling into the same pattern. So I'm listening to these people and say, wow these are clever I should be hanging around with poets, just like my Tito Ding (Roces) - that's what I've been neglecting.

I’m reading a biography of Queen, the early years - all four of them. It's not really about them as Queen but as school kids, being normal kids. It’s fascinating how it all starts - we all start very humbly -, what makes someone great, what in their life clicked the switch and got into the next level.

EA: How would you describe the late rock star Freddie Mercury?

MA: Outrageous, eccentric, just like me on the stage. I'm a natural show-off. Running around – doing things like take my jackets off and shirt off and throwing them off the stage. The stuff that I used to do is fairly energetic rock and roll. What I'm doing in this album is quite different – I gotta control my wild onstage antics just for this project. You reinvent yourself as you go along. I'm no longer a teenage rock and roller. I'm a mature adult contemporary musician now.

EA: Your rock hall of famers?

MA: My favourite rock and roll artists: Queen, Leny Kravitz, Jimi Hendrix, Bono, and U2.

Filipinos are so talented – it's no secret that Filipinos are great
musicians. You see all these bands – it's in our nature, our blood, to sing. Karaoke, you see, is part of our culture, of who we are.

EA: Education background?

MA: High school in St Patrick’s College, and Mass Communications at Macquarie University.

EA: Immediate plans?

MA: Write, write write. In the studio, record, record, record. There’s a lot of work to do.

EA: how would you describe your new album?

MA: Velvety, luxurious, passionate, elegant and emotional.

EA: Have you acknowledged being part of Fil-Aus state of mind?

MA:, I'm proud io be part of the Fil-Aus community in Sydney. It's a growing community. To young kids, the world is an oyster. The great thing about being in Australia is that you can develop and grow freely without fear of censorship or being told what to do. You have a sense of total individualism in Australia. If you take that and share it with the rest of the world, that would make you very special.

EA: Can't help but admire you MiG. You've run through the audition gauntlet and tedious rehearsals, shifting standards, gaining wisdom in the process. What do you think is the secret to survive all these?

MA: I think what you need to do is just to have faith in yourself – otherwise no one's gonna believe in you. You gotta really believe that what you're doing is the right thing because people will always tell you it's wrong and if you listen to everybody, you'll do nothing. So just listen to yourself – find out what it is.

EA: Thanks for your time MiG. Really nice to meet you.

MA: Same here Edd, good luck to you and a very Happy New Year to your readers and everyone in the Filipino-Australian community!

Google search MiG Ayesa or visit his official website: www.mig-music.com. You can also check out his music on YouTube - INQUIRER.net

MiG Ayesa happily living his fantasy
By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark
The Philippine Star 12/08/2006

Whoever said MiG Ayesa is just about rock should be banished into the darkest corner of the attic. That’s because putting the Rockstar INXs search third placer in a box is an injustice.

His debut album tells you why. Mig (MCA Music, Inc.) bursts with a motley of smooth and mellow standards you’d think only somone who grew up in the mid-’60s would know. Yet Mig sings them with such twists and turns in his voice, ascents and descents of emotion, you’d think Mig was to the generation born.

Back in Manila from L.A. for a short promo tour of his new album, Mig, who is 36, says "my mind is getting younger. I feel I’m 18!"

Lose yourself in the strains of Peter Frampton’s acoustic guitar while Mig segues to Baby I Love Your Way (which Frampton originally sung). Swoon to the sound of love, sweet love in Mig’s take of Sting’s Wrapped Around Your Finger.

You can feel Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ angst as Mig sings their classic, plaintive Angie.

It’s a new Mig even the Fil-Aussie singer-songwriter never thought existed, until MCA Music offered him a recording contract.

Suddenly, Mig turned into another Alice in Wonderland, tumbling headlong into a magical, new adventure with him as principal player.

"I’m living my fantasy right now," he gushes. "This is a realization of a dream."

That dream is to be a recording artist, something he never thought possible. But it was bound to happen. And Mig himself is amazed how things just fell into place for them to happen when he was not looking.

Mig may not have been named the best guy to fill in the huge shoes of the late Rockstar INXS vocalist Michael Hutchence. But the unsuspecting Mig got a better deal.

Recording company executives took one look at him and said, "We want that guy!"

So instead of languishing in comparisons between Hutchence and him, Mig is now basking in the glory of solo artistdom.

No one is comparing him with anyone else. His only yardstick of quality is himself, period.

This blows Mig’s mind away. But he’s careful not to claim sole credit for it. He gives credit where credit is due.

The guy entered the presscon room wearing a dark shirt that exposed a necklace with a cross pendant dangling from its chain, says, "What God has in store for you makes sense after a while."

It also makes sense to him to release his debut album first in the Philippines, the land of his birth. Australia, where he was raised, will follow next month. The US and Canada come next in March.

Mig’s reason for choosing the Philippines is a matter of patriotism.

"This is where it all started for me," he says. Then, he turns sentimental. "It’s poetry and symmetry," he adds, eyes twinkling.

Poetry is what you hear in the lush sounds of a 45-piece orchestra playing in the hallowed walls of the Abbey Road Studio in London, where the album was partly recorded. The violin weeps; Mig’s fingers pause expectantly on the piano. And every note bears the promise of a surprise of a dramatic change.

David Bowie, Seal and Sting, the original artists behind Life On Mars, Kiss From a Rose and Wrapped Around Your Finger respectively would have been pleased.

Here, live music is in, electronica is out. Mig made sure no form of technology is found in this, his concept album.

This early, Mig and his recording outfit are already planning the second album. This time, it will play up Mig the songwriter. Most of the tracks will be Mig’s original compositions.

But that’s getting ahead of our story. For now, let’s focus on Mig Ayesa, the singer who wants to say thank you to the land of his birth via his debut album. - The Philippine Star

Posted Apr 13th 2007
By Georges Yared
AOL Money & Finance

Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Borders (NYSE: BGP) have made remarkable strides to become "more than just books." Amazon features movies and music among so many other products. The same for Borders. They have the almighty asset -- the customer list and loyalty. Amazon and Borders are promoting a new artist to the shores of the United States -- MiG Ayesa. MiG is a very well-known singer and actor in Australia, the Philippines, London and soon, the United States.

You may remember MiG among the three finalists on the CBS (NYSE: CBS) television show of mid-2006 "Rockstar: INXS." He "survived" to make the final three to become the new lead singer for Australian band INXS. The live audience and television viewers were treated to MiG's magnificent talent for 12 consecutive weeks. That MiG was denied the chance to front INXS is good news; MiG's talents transcend that band, as he is spectacular and tremendously versatile on his own. Universal Music did not wait long to sign MiG, inking a recording contract about two days after the show ended.

"MIG," his new debut CD, is a collection of classic songs that MIG has re-worked to near perfection. He collaborates with Peter Frampton on "Baby I Love Your Way" and legendary Queen guitarist Brian May on the Queen classic "Who Wants to Live Forever." MiG does a rendition of "Life on Mars" that would make David Bowie proud. The string arrangements were perfected by Paul Buckmaster, who worked on nearly every Elton John album.

Amazon and Borders were among the first retailers to grab hold of this amazing artist's debut album. MiG Ayesa took the risk, and smartly, to leave the hottest musical show in London's West End. He played the lead character in "We Will Rock You," a beautifully done, futuristic musical encompassing 24 classic songs of Queen. MiG was comfortably leading the show eight performances a week in the sold-out Dominion Theatre, to routine standing ovations. The audience would stand and join the cast, led by MiG, for the encore song "Bohemian Rhapsody."

As Amazon and Borders expand their product offerings to maintain and build their customer base, new artists like MiG Ayesa will certainly help them to attain that growth and sustainability. For more info on this dynamite artist, check out www.mig-music.com.

I wonder if Borders or Amazon could re-unite ... naw, they just distribute them!!!
- AOL Money & Finance

MiG's debut disc an orchestral manoeuvre
By JANE STEVENSON -- Sun Media

Listening to MiG's self-titled debut album, it's easy to figure out why the singer-pianist didn't win Rockstar: INXS despite being one of the final three contestants.
The disc, in stores today, is mostly pop ballad covers recorded with orchestras -- like Peter Frampton's Baby, I Love Your Way and Seal's Kiss From A Rose -- along with some original tunes, so it's hardly rock 'n' roll.
"This album is a concept album," said MiG, while in Toronto for a gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in support of MusicRising, which benefits New Orleans-based musicians.
"The idea that the A&R guy came up with, he said, 'What you did on Rockstar: INXS was you unearthed these amazing rock classics. And I want to take that extra step and make these rock classics by doing them classically with strings.'
"And for me, the songs that resonated the loudest in Rockstar: INXS were the ones that we did orchestrally, like Live And Let Die. And Baby, I Love Your Way was with a string quartet. So for me, it was a no-brainer to do this," MiG said.
"But in a way we had to choose songs that would fit this genre. There's no point in doing an Anthrax song in this way. It just wouldn't translate as well."

Frampton actually ended up on MiG's album, playing guitar on his cut after catching MiG's rendition of Baby, I Love Your Way on Rockstar: INXS.
MiG, which is short for Miguel (Ayesa), said he was very hung-over from a party at the Rockstar mansion when Frampton called at 10 a.m. to pay his compliments.
TURN IT ON
"He said he was having dinner and someone said, 'Turn on the TV! Put on CBS! Someone's doing Baby, I Love Your Way!' " recalled MiG, who was born in the Philippines but raised in Australia.
"So he was able to turn it on and watch. He caught me right at the very beginning. And he said he fell off his chair. He said, 'That was the most beautiful rendition of the song I'd heard. Of course, apart from mine.' That's crazy, right? That was really one of those magical experiences."
Now there's a chance that MiG might actually open for Frampton on a tour this summer in North America.
MiG was even going to launch his record in August 2006 with an appearance on Rockstar: Supernova with Frampton on guitar, but politics got in the way.
"It changed because Tommy Lee didn't want anyone from the previous year to take focus away from the contestants of that year," explained MiG. "And I fully understood that. It was people from Rockstar that wanted to wanted to promote the brand Rockstar, but Tommy Lee was like, 'No, I want to promote my band, Supernova,' and so that never happened."
In the meantime, MiG said he stays in touch with his fellow Rockstar: INXS contestants through group e-mails, describing the relationship like "war buddies."
Still, show winner and Torontonian J.D. Fortune is the hardest to get in touch with.
"He's been really busy with INXS," said MiG. "He's not good with e-mails. His is the only e-mail that bounces back, unreplied. But I did speak to him several times on the phone."
MiG even opened for INXS with Fortune in Manila.
And, no, for the record, MiG wasn't surprised when a second Torontonian won Rockstar: Supernova, in the form of Lukas Rossi.
"Homeless Canadians from Toronto win two years in a row!" joked MiG, who acted as reporter for Verizon and interviewed all of the second-season contestants.

- Sun Media

Life's been moving at a heady pace for Rock Star:INXS star, Mig Ayesa, since reaching the final three in the hit reality show. Though Mig and his gorgeous wife, dancer-actress-singer Simone, had already made a career move from Sydney to London four years ago, the TV show has led them to cross the world again, this time to L.A. Preferring the beachside suburb of Marina del Rey to the brouhaha of Hollywood, they live with their Maltese puppy Powder in a kitsch '70's house near the ocean.

While Simone prepares Vegemite toast for the crew, we talk to Mig about swapping a succesful musical theatre career in London for a recording career in the City of Angels.


OK: You came in third in Rock Star:INXS-how did that feel for you?


MiG: Yes, I came third! I lost! I feel both sad and glad. Sad because I've always been a huge fan of INXS and I think it would've been really great. But glad in that I didn't have the pressure of replacing Michael Hutchence, which is an almost impossible task and I don't envy JD for that.


OK: Do you have moments, though, when you wish you'd won?


MiG: To be honest, I hate losing. I'm competitive, so to lose still makes me thinkg, "Why didnt they want me?" But you know, coming third has still been great. I get a lot of exposure and kudos for doing what I did. I have a record deal with Universal and an album coming out on January 13.


OK: You were doing musicals before Rock Star:INXS. What was that like?


MiG: I was the lead in the Queen musical We Will Rock You in London, so life was sweet. My wife Simone and I had just bought a house and acquired our dog Powder. Then, just as we both thought life was perfect and we didn't want to change a thing, I was auditioning for Rock Star:INXS and on a plane to L.A. Now here we are!


OK: Would you ever consider doing another reality TV show?

MiG: No! I'm so glad I did it, but so glad I don't have to do it again. They call it reality TV, but what kind of reality is it when you're living in a house with cameras 24/7 and the whole focus is on performing in front of the whole world? That's not reality, that's crazy.


OK: So was it all worth it?


MIG: Absolutely! But I look back on it and wish I'd changed certain things- like chosen different songs to sing and not taken in all so seriously. The good thing, though, is I got a huge fan base out of it, which surprised me. A lot of people just liked who I was as a person and really dug what I did.


OK: What was it like to be the only Aussie on the show?


MiG: What was it like having the pressure of a nation on your back? (Laughs) No, I never felt that kind of pressure- I was really just proud of being the only Aussie there.


OK: Then you went back to watch the spin-off, Rockstar:Supernova?

MiG: I was there at the secret location where they auditioned the final 50...as a backstage reporter. I noticed Toby (Rand, the Australian runner-up) went from being quite reserved at the beginning of the show to becoming more relaxed throughout the show, whereas I started relaxed and then became nervous.


OK: Are you mates with Toby now?

MIG: Yeah! I spoke to Toby before he came over here. He was worried about the show and I advised him it was such a great opportunity and worth doing.


OK: Your background is musical theater. Does that translate well into rock?


MiG: I never actually trained in musical theater. I got into it because I'd been in bands- and the first musical theatre I did was Buddy, a rock'n'roll gig. From there I did Grease, Rent, and We Will Rock You. INXS had a problem with that, which really pissed me of. I was like, "So, I don't wait tables, I actually earn good money in musical theater to support my dream." Anyway, that's my rant! You've heard me on my soapbox, I'll get off now!


OK: And now your new album, MiG, is being released this month?


MIG: Yeah, it's being released in the US, Australia, and the Philippines, which is where I was born. Baby I Love Your Way was really popular ont he show and that's on there.


OK: So you have a Filipino history?

I'm Filipino, Spanish, and Austrian, with a bit of Chinese in me too. I'm a true Aussie mutt. I moved to Australia when I was two. I still have extended family there and a huge fan base as well.


OK: What sort of music is on the album?


MIG: It's all covers- we wanted to take rock classics from the Rolling Stones to Green Day and [cover them] with a 45-piece orchestra. It's a continuation of what Rock Star:INXS was all about- unearthing rock classics that are treasures.


OK: Who are your favourite musicians?

MiG: I grew up listening to Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel, which is why I became a piano player. I'm also a huge fan of Queen and INXS. I also like John Mayer and John Legend, and Pete Murray is phenomenal. I bumped into Ben Lee at a party recently and I think it's great how he continues to do his own thing and doesn't give a shit.


OK: Tell us how you met your wife, Simone- you've been married for five years, haven't you?


MiG: Yes, together for seven years and married almost five. We met on Frankie J Holden's show in Melbourne Tonight- she was a dancer, I was a singer. We're now playing happy families here in L.A. and it's great. We're a good team. We both understand what the job entails. We were apart for five months last year when I was on Rock Star adn we weren't allowed to talk to eachother for more than 15 minutes, three times a week, and not once did she complain. The support she gave me was immeasurable and she made me feel like I could conquer the world.


What do you like about living in LA?


L.A. is my office. It's the place where I need to be right now for work. We have a great circle of friends here, most of them Aussies. It's also an easy way of life, it reminds me of Sydney. There are pockets of L.A. that are gorgeous, like the hills and Malibu, but it's souless int hat it doesn't have a city heart beat like Paris and New York- it's a city made out of Parramatta Roads!


OK: So what's next for you?


MiG: I'm writing stuff for my second album already. One thing I've learned is that you can't plan too much- things change, so keeping myself free and opent to the universe is key for me. But our five-year plan is to settle down on northern beaches in Sydney. It's just so far removed from rest of the world. Don't change Australia, we love you just the way you are!


OK! Interview by Georgia Cassimatis - OK! Magazine

'Baby, You're Gonna Love HIS Way!'

Born in Manila, Philippines (where his parents are from), MiG's family moved to Sydney, Australia, when he was 2 years old. MiG was studying communications at Macquarie University in Sydney when he was offered the role of Ritchie Valens in the theater production of "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story." He decided to put his studies on hold and went on tour with the production all across Australia.

MiG has since performed in theater, commercials, television series and films. He has also been part of the bands Randy Badass & The Slickmaster Five, Lovetown, The Honkies and The Riva Band.

MiG moved from Sydney to London in 2002 so that he could look for a publishing company for his material. Brian May from the band Queen took an interest in his work and they are working on a collaboration with his band Mignition. MiG most recently starred as Galileo in London's West End production of 'We Will Rock You.'

MiG currently resides between London, England and Los Angeles, CA which is where we caught up with him this week for a quick chat.

Why did you enter 'Rockstar: INXS' in the first place? "It's funny because I was really having a great time in London. I had a wonderful job playing the lead in 'We Will Rock You' and I had just signed for a third year. So I had no intention of leaving the show. But, then I heard about this 'Rockstar: INXS' and it kinda freaked me out a little bit. INXS were one of my favorite bands growing up and so the whole notion of them finding a new lead singer really excited me. I was actually thinking that I would love to do that. And yet kinda also thinking I might have a chance at this."

"The crazy thing is I've always wanted to be a recording artist, but I actually gave that idea up a few years ago - because I thought I was too old. But then this notion of actually becoming the lead singer of this band - whose members were way older than me - made me think that I was young again," he laughs. "So the show gave me a new chance, a new birth of interest. It was perhaps my last chance of becoming a recording artist and that the exposure that I would get from the show would be a really great thing too. The fact that we were playing three nights a week on prime time US television was nothing that you could sneeze at."

So how did those auditions go in the early stages? "The thing about the auditions is that you just think nothing of them after you've done them. I did them and then let them go. I just forgot all about it. The next thing you know I get this call saying they want to see me again. 'You're coming to LA.' So, the whole thing just kept snowballing into me becoming one of the final fifteen and being on the show. It was just like a whirlwind ride from there on."

At what point during the show did you know that you weren't going to win? "I had a really strong feeling about four weeks before the end. It was the time when I choose to do a ballad for an original song which went down like a lead balloon! It was the same episode that JD gave birth to 'Pretty Vegas' and Marty Casey gave birth to 'Trees.' And so from that point on they were playing 'Pretty Vegas' every episode and every show. So, I was like, 'That's it. I've blown it.' So, basically at that point all I wanted to do was hang on until the end."

"There were three more elimination's before that and I actually thought that my time to go was the final elimination show when there was just four of us left. There was Suzie McNeil, JD, Marty and myself and I knew it wasn't gonna be JD or Marty because of their popularity. And so I thought that they gotta have a woman in the final so that left ... me! So, I felt for sure I as the one gone from the show. That was the first week that I was in the bottom three out of all the weeks. And what made it worse was that they said, 'And the top three people left in the contest will win a Honda Civic.' Every breath in me was screaming 'Don't send me home'! 'Please, I want the f**kin' car!' Also my wife was flying in from London to see the final and so I really wanted to be on stage. But I knew a few weeks before that final stage that it wasn't gonna be me."

Was JD your choice also, perhaps? "He was singing so strongly at the end that I can't criticize their decision. Because he really gave them everything at the end. He was really fantastic. I think they wanted exactly what they got."

It's now that the interview takes a break as MiG proceeds to inform me that his dog 'Powder' (a tiny Maltese terrier) - who it turns out he'd been walking whilst chatting with me - had just off-loaded a small country via its backside. Subsequently, it was poop scoop time for the rock star!

OK, back to business (if you'll pardon the pun!) ... did it ever cross your mind to re-enter and have a crack at 'Rockstar: Supernova'? "Actually, I was at the auditions for 'Supernova' because I was doing some work for Verizon as a reporter for their V-cast. So, I went in there and interviewed some of the contestants. I saw some amazing auditions which made me think that I wanted to go all over again. But that was just a momentary lapse into insanity!"

"I also tell people that it's the greatest thing that I'll never do again and I really believe that. I don't think that I'll ever do anything like that ever again. The tension. I've never been such a nervous wreck in all my life. I didn't get to sleep through the last five weeks of the show. It was just hideous and I don't think my heart could suffer much more of that!"

If 'Rockstar: INXS' was the greatest thing you'll never do again, doesn't that kinda mean that you'll never top that euphoric experience in life? Kinda sad, isn't it?! "Hardly! I didn't feel too much euphoria during 'ROCKSTAR: INXS.' As I say, I felt angst, pressure, nervousness, heart-palpitations, excitement, sleeplessness, disappointment, disgust, loneliness, horror, shame, abuse, betrayal and sadness. My time with 'WE WILL ROCK YOU' far surpassed any sense of euphoria with the show."

"The greatest single event that happened in 'RS: INXS' was when they surprised me with a visit from my wife. Seeing her again was the greatest euphoria I felt in the 3 months I was sequestered in the mansion. I accepted my predicament and appreciate all it had to offer, but it was far from euphoric. It was the hardest time of my life. I'm glad I did it, but so glad it's over. I will take all the good and bad that happened in there, made lots of amazing friends I will treasure forever, but so glad I made it out alive, and with a recording contract with Decca/Universal records. Now THAT"S euphoria!"

Please tell us more about your new record deal with Universal Classics and what we are to expect "Yeah, that was directly related to my appearances on 'Rockstar.' An A&R manager from New York saw the show - and it was the episode when I played 'Baby, I Love Your way' on the piano - and he just came at me with this idea for an album that he'd been toying with for quite some time. So, we sat down and talked about it and he signed me straight away. I am very excited to be working with him on this. The album is done, completed and finished and is out in January 2007. I'm very excited."

What's the title going to be? "Well, it's self-titled, being that it's my first album. So it's self-titled 'MiG'. I have to remind people that I'm still out there as it's been a while since they saw me."

Is MiG short for something, perhaps? "Yeah, it's short for Miguel. I was born in the Philippines, but I have Spanish, Filipino, Austrian heritage ... and grew up in Australia! So, I'm a bit of a mutt, really! I'm a citizen of the global nation and I'm very proud."

Stepping away from the whole 'Rockstar' thing for a moment, please tell us more about your role in the aforementioned Freddie Mercury/Queen inspired London show, 'We Will Rock You' "Well, 'WE WILL ROCK YOU' is set in the future. I played this kid who calls himself GALILEO FIGARO. He gets these psychic messages from rock songs from the past, the strongest messages are from the mighty QUEEN. So I didn't have to be Freddie, but I did have to sing his songs. That required a lot of discipline to do basically a rock concert up to 8 times a week. Vocal warm-up was essential. I did have to spike up my hair and physically look 18 years old, so I kept myself at peak physical condition. On stage I had to transform from a geeky teen to a rock god. It was all done with mirrors and CGI's. Wicked stuff!"

How much influence did you have to use to get Brian May to play on your 4-song EP? "Well, he didn't actually play on my tracks, but he did listen to them and he loved them. So much so, that he invited me to his studio and we re-worked the songs. He suggested some re-writes and was willing to bring the finished demos into EMI himself. Unfortunately, he shortly went on the road with QUEEN and Paul Rodgers and I auditioned for ROCKSTAR:INXS. The songs remained as demos but I hope to work with him again. He is my greatest hero, so to work with him in his private studio is an experience I will never forget."

You say that INXS were the soundtrack to your first kiss ... please explain this more! "I was 15 years old, at a dance at Santa Sabina in Strathfield, Sydney, Australia. I went to this dance with a girl, but was whisked away by another girl, and she planted this sloppy, wet, tonguey...amazing kiss on me...as the DJ played INXS's 'I SEND A MESSAGE' . It was my first kiss, but I ended up winning the 'Longest PAsh Of the Night' Award. Up to this day I feel bad for the original girl who took me to the dance. I was literally swept off my feet. The magical irony in all this, is that girl who took me to the dance, is now also signed to Decca records as an opera singer. We are label mates. Outrageous!"

Having worked with producer Matthew Wilder, did you ever chat with him about his singing career back in the day, and especially his hit song 'Break My Stride'?! Man, those were the days of pop chart innocence where anything - especially in England - could make it to #1! "Ha! We did talk about BREAK MY STRIDE. I actually bought the 12" remix of it when I was but a lad. I loved the song. He told me of those heady days of 80's decadence, but he was not immune to disappointment either. However, he had a great time and used all his success to move on in his amazing career. I don't think we have to look back at the 80's to be amazed at UK #1s. Ever heard of the Cheeky Girls?!"

What would be your favorite song on your upcoming debut album? Which one makes you the proudest to play for people you respect? "The crazy thing is (which is a magical thing) is that I have a new favourite every time I hear the album. At the moment my favourite is 'ANGIE'. The arrangement is flawless and brings the song to a whole new level. I was quite nervous about tackling 'WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER'. Having performed it so many times in 'WE WILL ROCK YOU' and knowing Brian May personally, I was so concerned about doing it justice. I love the way it turned out, and so I sent an MP3 to Brian May. His response was one of total admiration. He was literally blown away and so proud of me. It was a great moment."

And, if you could re-record any (cheesy) pop song from the '80s, which one would it be and why? "'Kyrie' by Mr. Mister. It was a song that encapsulated everything that was great about the 80's: Awesome melody, mega-melodrama, huge drums, huge harmonies, fat synth sounds, thumping bass and the occasional church bell."

Finally, we here at Exclusive Magazine love Penguins ... do you? "I cried at 'MARCH OF THE PENGUINS.' I have seen it five times. Many of my friends are in the film 'HAPPY FEET.' Burgess Meredith and Danny Devito are two of my favourite actors. Need I say anymore?!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk - Exclusive Magazine

August 31, 2006

Rock Star: INXS's MiG Signs Record Deal
By Stephen M. Silverman

MiG, one of the three finalists on CBS's Rock Star: INXS, has signed his first record deal, Universal Music Classics Group has announced.

MiG's self-titled debut CD is due in January on Universal's Decca imprint. The album will feature covers of songs including Seal's "A Kiss From A Rose," David Bowie's "Life On Mars," The Police's "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends."

The first single, "Baby I Love Your Way," featuring a guest performance by Peter Frampton, is already available for download on Yahoo!

Born in the Philippines and raised in Australia, MiG (full name: MiG Ayesa) lived in London for several years, where he appeared in the musicals Rent and We Will Rock You, featuring the music of Queen. He also recorded a 4-song EP, The MiGnition Project, with Queen guitarist Brian May on one of the tracks.

From there it was on to Los Angeles and Rock Star: INXS. He finished performing with the cross-country "Rock Star: Supernova" tour. - People

Mig's talents have been exhibited through film, theater, and television. In 2005 he gained further international television recognition when he competed and was one of the finalists on the "American Idol" rock star flavored "ROCKSTAR:INXS." This summer the Fil-Aussie international musical talent works diligently on his debut album and bears all with DP Magazine.

DP: Tell us about your debut album, what can we expect from it?

Mig: Well, without giving too much away, there are a couple of songs that I performed on "ROCKSTAR:INXS." The rest of the album will consist mostly of songs that I've never sung before. This album is a 'concept' album. I am taking classic rock songs, some old, some quite recent, and doing fresh acoustic, orchestral and organic arragements of them. Some are recorded with full orchestras and some with small ensembles, and (mostly) piano as the core focus. It's not what most people would expect from me, but something I am very passionate about. This is a labor of love.

DP: You've been all around the world and have had success in different continents and countries, how was your worldwide experiences added flavor to your career?

Mig: The response to me in a global sense has been amazing! The power of television is incredible. I've been working my butt off for so many years, doing so many things, but I do one TV show, and people recognize me in places I've never even been before! I must say, that working in different countries is as varied as the accents. What I've learned from working in Australia has certainly set me up for working very hard and appreciating being employed. Working in the UK has made me proud of the work I do and to never take things forgranted. Working in the US make realize that anything is possible and working in the Philippines makes me realize that I really love my job.

DP: What are your major influences in creating this album?

Mig: The concept behind creating this album stems from my experience in "ROCKSTAR:INXS." There we had to perform classic rocks songs and they seemed as fresh as the day they were written. Classic rock songs do not date, and then when we introduced the orchestras and strings into the equation, it blew my mind how powerful that combination was. Rock music and orchestras are a match made in heaven. I was amazed at the wealth of material that I had never heard or at least had not re-visited since my youth. So the further I dug and researched, the more I feel in love with these classic songs. Every artist from The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Queen, and Elton John right through to Green Day has inspired me to create this album.

DP: How does it feel to create an album, what sorts of anticipation, anxiety, or excitement do you experience?

Mig: This is living the dream! All my life I had wanted to be a recording artist, and just when I thought I should give up, it has come in such a major way, through a major label out of the US. I have always wanted this, but that I'm doing it, all those insecurities of "I wonder if it will sell?," "Will people dig it?" "What if I suck?!" keep running through me. I guess artists are always insecure, but the first album is such a testing ground. I am traveling through unchartered territory and it's both thrilling and frightening. I just have to trust in the opportunity that has landed in my lap and take it as far as I can go with it.

There is a lot of humble pie that one must eat when one is a debut artist, but I hope that ends soon. To be able to prove myself with this album will pave the way for so much creative freedom and credibility. So much rests on the success of this. You only have one chance to make a first impression. I have a lot of expectations of myself. Having said that, if this album bombs, I am having the time of my life.

I am working with such amazing people and living my dream. I can only be thankful for everything that I am doing now. I am truly blessed.

DP: Which artists have influenced your career?

Mig: I learned how to play the piano and inspired to sing by playing Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder songs. I feel in love with music through the Beatles. I became addicted to music through Queen, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Brian McKnight, Babyface, Cold Chisel, Wa Wa Nee, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, The Eagles, Earth Wind & Fire, Eric Benet, Audioslave, Herbie Hancock, Indie Arie, Me'shell, N'dgeocello, James Brown, Jamiroquai, Jeff Buckley, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Kiss, INXS, Marvin Gaye, Maxwell, Michael Jackson, The Doobie Brothers, Nirvana, The Police, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, Tears For Fears and U2, to name but a few. You had to ask...!

DP: What inspired you to pursue the profession of stage performance, acting/singing?

Mig: It wasn't really something I pursued. It just happened. I never trained in theater. I always wanted to be a rock star, but found work fairly regurlarly in theater after doing my first show: "Buddy...The Buddy Holly Story."

I love theatre and am very proud of the work I've done, but it's not something I chased for any reason. It beat serving tables and was way more interesting than studying.

DP: Do you have any plans for upcoming musicals?

Mig: Not at this stage, but in the future, who knows? If the right part comes in the right show, it might be just what I'm looking for at the time. Failing that, I could play Jean Valjean in "Les Miserable" in 20 years or so.

DP: What was your most memorable role (on stage)?

Mig: My favorite role was that of "Galileo", the lead in "We Will Rock You", purely for the sheer scale of production and the music involved. If I never got to be a rock star, they were at least paying me to pretend to be one eight times a week. It was the best job in the world. However, one that I'll never forget was playing 'Angel" in "Rent". Unforgettable, because seeing myself as a drag queen haunts me in my nightmares to this very day, it ain't pretty.

DP: You've written numerous songs and jingles, when doing so, what is your work ethic? Do you seclude yourself to solely concentrate on your work, or does it naturally come to you?

Mig: I'm kind of your natural geek. I can sit in a studio and work on my keyboards and computers and not know that life is going on around me. I could live in a studio environement and lose myself in my 'work' totally. But to me, it's not work. It's pure joy. It's my hobby, my passion, my love. It is what I am.

DP: Where would you like to see yourself in the next year? What do you plan to do?

Mig: For this next year, I'd be finishing this album, touring the world to promote it, get back into the studio to record my second album and tour the world promoting that. A film role would be nice somewhere along the line too.

DP: In the next 5 years?

Mig: Get back into the studio, record my third album and tour the world promoting that, then get back into the studio, record my fourth album and tour the world. You get the picture.

But I honestly would also love to get into films, acting in them, writing soundtracks etc. I would love to produce other artists too and nurture their talent. I also see myself as a father in the next five years, start a family, maybe even sooner.

DP: What's the biggest misconception people have about you?

Mig: That I'm really tall.

DP: So what's more natural for you- singing or acting?

Mig: It's all fun and games for me. I don't know the answer for me. It depends on what people want from me at the time. I love both. I guess I'm a singer first, but that's for now. They both working for a living.

DP: What is your favorite Filipino food?

Mig: My Lola's recipes. It used to be crispy pata, but my heart probably can't suffer blockages anymore, do I'd have to go with kare-kare, but it has to be with bagoong! Oh, and macapuno ice-cream!

DP: You're talented, hard working, and have a promising career, plus you're Pinoy; how has your Filipino heritage influenced you throughout your career?

Mig: I think being Filipino is ingrained in everything I am and do. My parents have taught me the importance of family and staying grounded. The ideal is everyone is important as anyoneelse is a very Filipino trait. People say that I'm too nice for rock'n'roll, but that's just me being Filipino! We love life and are grateful for every blessing we have. We learn to take nothing for granted.

I also run on Filipino-time, much to the exasperation of my wife. However I think that is just overall zest for that life that is inheretely Filipino that has me through my career. Every day is a blessing and a chance to do something with my life.

DP: You have numerous fans all around the world, what is your message to them?

Mig: Buy my album. I have a mortgage. Also, that if I can do it, anyone can do it, and what I mean from that is that to fullfill your dreams is possible if you still have dreams. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it.

Life is not going to happen when you reach your dream's fulfillment either. It's going on all around you on your journey to get there. Love the life you live so you can live the life you love.

Thank you for all your support. I hope to never let you down.

By Brian Smasal - Discovering Pinoys