Mike Munich
Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Many head to California, of course, with big dreams. Mike Munich is one of the lucky ones who’s watching his come true.
The 24-year-old gay Minneapolis native moved to Los Angeles five-and-a-half years ago. He’s been in West Hollywood the last 18 months.
“I came here basically to dance when I was 19,” he says. “Now it’s working out great but it’s been a journey and a struggle and a process with lots and lots of emotions, but now it’s going great.”
Munich can’t point to one “big break,” but says a major resume builder was landing a regular gig in the house dance troupe that backs acts on “America’s Got Talent.” He’d had other jobs and waited tables to supplement the lean times, but that break in August 2008 allowed him to dance full time. ... - Washington Blade
On February 13, Mike Munich took part in an odd pop culture moment, carrying Lady Gaga down the Grammy Awards red carpet in her specially-designed egg chamber. As a dancer on her videos for "Alejandro" and "Born This Way," he's earned an exclusive peek at the creative process of one of the world's biggest musical acts.
The 24-year-old native of Minneapolis has also appeared as a member of Vocal Adrenaline on GLEE, performing hits "Rehab," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Highway to Hell." In an interview with Out & About Newspaper, he recalls his experiences with Gaga and GLEE, and reveals his future plans in show business. .... - Out and About
Dance Track caught up with Mike Munich, one of our Spring/Summer ’11 Top 10 Com-Tech Dancers to find out how he has time to pursue a singing career as well as what you can expect from his upcoming performance.
DANCE TRACK: What producers are you working with?
Mike: I’m working with Media Temple Productions to executive produce my prjoect. They’ve put people on my project like Sammy Jay, a multi platinum female producer, and Gino Barletta who wrote Jojo’s brand new single “Disaster”. Gino was also selected to be a part of Brian Freidman’s “Identity Unknown” project. Other dancers Media Temple has worked with include Leo Moctezuma, Kevin Stea and Carmit Bachar.
Take a listen to Mike’s new song “Beat The Beat” below.
DANCE TRACK: What is your process when you go into the recording studio?
Mike: I come in with a list of references and sit down with the producers to discuss the sound & general concept of the song I want to make. Once the track has been made, I go back in for a writing session where we further develop the concept & write the song. Being a dancer first, I always feel way more inspired after I hear that beat. In these sessions, it’s almost as if the song writes itself. After I’ve lived with the demo for a coulpe days I go back in to record vocals. All kinds of crazy things happen at this point. Once I’m in the booth something takes over me and I go into full performance mode. I dance. I try to take my clothes off…this past week I’ve been watching porn in the booth to inspire me hahaha! It makes a huge difference!
DANCE TRACK: Are you recording a full album? If so, when will it be released?
Mike: I’m currently working on an EP… the release date is TBD. Hopefully it will be released in the spring.
DANCE TRACK: Describe your sound.
Mike: It’s fun, gay, dance, pop music. I’ve branded my sound as “future disco.”
DANCE TRACK: Tell our readers what they can expect at your live performance (singer or singer/dancer).
Mike: Oh, I am going to put on a show…Cassidy Noblett is my choreographer and he blows my mind. You can expect a full production. I want to blur the lines between masculine and feminine…don’t be surprised when you see me walk out in heels!
DANCE TRACK: What artist(s) inspire your music?
Mike: Kylie Minogue, David Guetta, Britney Spears, Robyn, Nicola Roberts, Wynter Gordon, Ke$ha, Will.i.Am, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga.
DANCE TRACK: Any fun performances lined up after HERE?
Mike: Nothing has been booked yet…I have a meeting tomorrow with my manager to discuss what we need to do moving forward (i.e. bookings & press). We’re going to for sure do the gay LA circuit (Cherry Pop, Mr Blacks, Tigerheat, Mustache Mondays, etc), but no dates have been confirmed yet. I’m really looking forward to performing at White Party Palm Springs in April!
DANCE TRACK: How did you fit recording into your hectic schedule?
Mike: I needed something to keep me sane inbetween gigs…I get very restless and working on a music career has grounded me. It’s something that I am in total control of. I don’t have to wait for a call from my agent with a booking or an audition. This has kept me so busy, but it never feels like work since all of the people I’m working with are friends. Music is something I am so passionate about it really has become a priority in my life. I’m in a relationship with my career right now.
DANCE TRACK: Let our readers know what the song means to you as a person/artist as your first single.
Mike: “Beat The Beat” is about a love affair with music. I wanted to create a record that made you just want to rip your clothes off and dance in the street. It’s so easy to go out to the bars and get caught up in trying to meet someone…and I wanted to dismiss that agenda. This is a song that is about going out to be with the music and to forget about the boys. The caliber of talent that I’m working with is above and beyond what I could have ever dreamed up. I’m so proud of this song and it has exceeded any shred of an expectation I had for my first record. I’m lost in love with it!
We can’t wait to see the show and invite our readers to attend! Photo of Mike Munich courtesy of Nate Jensen (natejensencreative.com). - Dance Track Magazine
I am actually not a big Lady Gage fan...However, I am a huge MIKE MUNICH fan!
And he is OBSESSED with GAGA! "She is such a hard worker. SO committed. She is artistically very smart as well as intellectually smart." he says.
Mike is a professional dancer, based in Los Angeles, where he has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Mother Monster Gaga. You can see him in the Alejandro video as well as the Born This Way video. You may have spotted him on GLEE! as well.
"I think Born This Way is brilliant. The message is beautiful!" says Mike.
He also says, "Being a dancer is my passion, it's my love and it never changes. But it's hard because dancers are not treated well in the industry. It's never about the dancers. We're always framing someone else, usually in a production number."
As he slowly outgrows his dancing shoes, Mike now has his eye on a career in music. "Once I get the ball rolling with music I want to push the envelope! Going out in heels and fishnets and football pads and shoulder pads!" he exclaims passionately! "I want it to be a gender fuck, really masculine and really feminine, something new and different."
Mike told us this morning, "My first song is finished and we're currently working on cementing my brand .... photo shoots and a music video to be coming soon. I'm hoping to launch everything next month .... we're throwing the launch party at Stripper Circus in weho!"
Can't wait Mike!! - Best Gay News Magazine
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
By his mid-twenties, Mike Munich has had the dance career that almost any young, Midwestern, gay boy would only dream of. It might even read like said boy's favorite iTunes playlist - with a bit of Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Glee & even a Spice Girl in the mix for good measure.
Despite his strong, masculine physique, Mike can seriously get down in a high pair of heels and a face full of glitter, rivaling some of the girliest of girls. Mike's work in music and dance are evidence of a young man who is confident enough in his sexuality to challenge and tease his audience, while artfully subverting traditional gender roles. Currently at work on his first solo EP, Mike's debut single "Beat the Beat" will debut in September 2011. A call to nightlife lovers and denizens of the dance floor to ditch the dudes and fall in love with the music, "Beat the Beat" was co-written by Mike, Gino Barletta and Guy Baruch and was produced by Sammy Jay. "Referee," the second single from Mike's upcoming EP, was also produced by the same creative team and is slated to drop in Fall of 2011.
Originally from Minneapolis, Mike Munich came to Los Angeles in 2005 intending to focus on pursuing a dance career. Though he trained for years in Minnesota under the tutelage of Michelle Larkin, his mentors in Los Angeles quickly recognized Mike had the potential and skill to grow his artistry beyond the walls of the dance studio, and urged him to expand into acting, modeling and singing as well.
Since coming to Los Angeles, Mike has performed with some of the most popular music artists of today, dancing in Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and "Alejandro" videos, as well as Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment." Mike has also participated in some of the most talked about contemporary pop music performances, including Adam Lambert's controversial 2009 AMA's appearance and Ke$ha's 2011 Billboard Awards performance, as well as escorting a Lady Gaga filled egg down the 2011 Grammy's red carpet. He has been featured in some of television's hit shows, including Eli Stone, America's Got Talent, and Dance Moms. Mike has also played a recurring role on the first and second seasons of Glee, as a member of the rival show choir team, Vocal Adrenaline.
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