Mixe1
Mixe1
ByPhlisIt was purely by chance that I found Mixe1 a few years ago. The music was mesmerizing, calming and had me thinking of the typical anime epics that I grew to love in my childhood. So when I heard Module 02 had been released I had to have a listen and catch up once again with Mike and ask him about what has changed in Mixe1 since we last spoke.
WSR – Thank you so much for giving Wicked Spins Radio this interview Mike. Can we start by you telling our readers a little bit about yourself?
Mike – Sure I’m Mike Evans, I started MiXE1 in 2010 which is an electronic/rock project. In terms of recording, it’s a solo project – I’m doing the vocals, music, songwriting and greatly enjoying it 🙂
WSR – We first spoke around the time of your first EP, anything good happened in between the first and second EP?
Mike – I got married in April! So that’s pretty big. In terms of music – released a music video for the Module 02 track ‘This Is Not Goodbye’ directed by Duncan Catteral (credits include videos for Ghost In The Static, Alterred) at Penkat Studio. A lyric video was released for my free single ‘A Spark In The Air’ made by one of my close friends Lee Towson (who also appears in the TING video on guitar) which is awesome. Aside from that, lots of writing 😉
WSR – So how has the sound of Mixe1 evolved into Module 02?
Mike – The MiXE1 songs are quite varied anyway in style but there’s a few more aggressive elements and I’d say more confidence in my voice. Of course there’s still chilled and atmospheric tracks there but there’s more aggro vox thrown in and higher tempos. To me the songs feel a bit heavier. When I wrote Module 01, I was in a heavy band at the time and MiXE1 was – in a way – a reaction to that to explore electronics and see what I can do with my voice. That band has long since disbanded so I think it’s safe to say the heavier elements are working their way into what I’m doing with MiXE1. That said it’s still very melodic and emotional, vocal melodies are the most natural part of writing for me 🙂
WSR – Why did you choose a love story as the platform for Module 02 and how have you conveyed this story in your music?
Mike – It just happened really – I was writing songs with an ever changing tracklist. I had some big stuff happening in my personal life and I noticed it working it’s way into the lyrics. So I made the decision to tackle it head on, within the MiXE1 world, and wrote it about in. Module 02 became four songs, four chapters of a story. Even though it’s adapted to be within the futuristic world of MiXE1, it’s pretty much exactly what happened to me in reality. How it’s conveyed in music.. I feel that the music itself sets the scene and my voice and the lyrics do the rest. Like the first track has some urgency and an intense vibe to it whereas the final track is a lot more downtempo and more of a calming atmosphere. The vocals/lyrics tell the main story though and get across the majority of the emotions.
WSR – Your music is very personal, what part of your life gave you the inspiration for Module 02?
Mike – For Module 02 mainly my love life. The EP is pretty much a snap shot of a year of my life. Basically me and my wife (although she was my girlfriend back then) got separated – her student visa ran out and she basically had to fly home the day before valentines day. And it’s such a vivid image in my head, that day in a crowded airport, holding each other waiting for boarding, tears. When I decided to write about it that moment in the MiXE1 world ‘This Is Not Goodbye’ happened.. I was originally quite hesitant to write about it all coz it’s just so personal but it was cathartic and it really opened up the EP. Gave it a structure, a story. For those unaware of the story it essentially starts with the couple being separated uncertain of the future in TING. Then ‘Your Hearts The Beat’ is about doing the long distance thing, ‘Do You Know’ flipping back to a memory of before and ‘Never Been Gone’ being the happy ending — reunited after a year apart (which I actually wrote before it had happened in reality). So yeah, this is the most personal stuff I’ve written to date, so much so that I’m still a little embarrassed at how vulnerable some of the lyrics are. That’s usually a good sign that it’s honest. As a reaction to this, the full length album I’m working on (which is very close to being finished) is coming out a little heavier. Still emotional and personal but a little less vulnerable lyrically than Module 02.
WSR – Your music brings back memories of a manga/anime epic to me. If you could write the score to a movie soundtrack what sort of movie would it be?
Mike – He he thanks anime definitely played an influence, my fav anime is ‘Cyber City OEDO 808’ – another futuristic city like the MiXE1 city. That said, soundtracks I’d like to score either Equilibrium or Blade Runner ;D
WSR – If there was a particular emotion that you could invoke in people that listen to your music what emotion would you hope they feel?
Mike – Just one? Haha that’s tricky. Something positive. Hope maybe. I don’t like to write depressing lyrics, I prefer to write on the more positive side and invoke that sort of feeling – if a track is veering on the negative side, I’ll lace it with some hope or something to keep it up there.
WSR – What music are you listening to at the moment?
Mike – At the moment, the band Thursday. Love the singer’s voice and emotion. Aside from that, mostly my own stuff 🙂 I’d like to say it’s to get ideas for the new stuff I’m working rather than self indulgence…… so let’s go with that ^^
WSR – What would you say has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
Mike – Making and releasing the music video for This Is Not Goodbye and signing to Static Distortion Records 🙂 I was thinking ‘What do I want to do in my musical career… have a music video!’ so I’m chuffed that I now have one!
WSR – How has Module 02 been received in the press so far?
Mike – Really well, generally reviewers seem to enjoy it and have been getting a good response 🙂 And thanks a lot for your very encouraging review, WSR 😉
WSR – Are you planning to tour to promote Module 02?
Mike – I’d love to though not planned at this present moment as there’s some parts of live show that need to be sorted out first!
WSR – The orient has produced some amazing music, fashion, animation, etc but is there any specific band or film sort of thing that has really caught your eye or ear?
Mike – Music – I’m quite vibing Oblivion Dust’s latest album ‘7 Gates of Biopolar’ its a little more commercial than their usual stuff but I have a lot of respect for the singer and guitarist and their song writing skills. Films – I must admit I’m not so up to date with Asian cinema at the moment. You’ve reminded me to get back on that!
WSR – Besides doing the music for Mixe1 is there any other projects you are involved in?
Mike – Yep, I’m working with Mark Haigh of Draconic Elimination Projects in a project imaginately entitled ‘Draconic Elimination Projects feauturing MiXE1’ . We have our first EP ‘In:Parallel’ out now! Basically he’s doing the music, I’m singing on it — with some exceptions (e.g. one track called Reversal I wrote the main music and he’s doing vox on it too). It’s darker than MiXE1 and a bit more dancey. We’re already working on the next release. Aside from that, I’m working on some other things too although these aren’t public yet 🙂
WSR – Thanks so much for giving Wicked Spins Radio this interview, is there anything you would like to add?
Mike – It’s always a pleasure, WSR! I’d like to say thanks to all the fans and fellow musicians for all the continued support. Every purchase, listen, share, means a lot and keeps the project and independent music alive.
Thanks so much and peeps you can see my review of Module 02 in our reviews section J
Photos of MIXE1 courtesy and copyright to Wicked Boy Photography
