Interview: Michael Gray
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
Michael Gray is back with his new album ‘You & Me’, featuring various artists who bring his joyful music to life. He speaks to us on the production behind his new album, the importance of working with other artists, and the release of his new app for Sultra Records.
Your new album, ‘You & Me’, hit the scene on May 29th on Sultra Records, with your soulful single, ‘Ascension’ (Don’t Ever Wonder)', having been released on May 22nd, featuring Bran Mazz.
How was it producing the album this time around? Were there any differences in the process compared to when you first started in the industry?
I already had the start of 'You & Me' when I finished my last Album, 'Optimism'. There were a few tracks left over. Not because they weren’t good enough, but because I either wanted to tweak them and they didn’t make the deadline, or I didn’t think they fit the sound. So, this album was already underway over a year ago.
I then had two remixes I’d made to play out. 'Life Will Be' and 'Ascension'. I loved the originals, but they weren’t suitable for the dance floor. They got such a great reaction that I decided I needed to try to release them. When I couldn’t get clearance, I set about finding someone to cover them and with 'Ascension', that’s how I ended up working on the album with Bran Mazz. He has such a unique character voice, and we worked together so well in the studio with Errol Reid joining us too.
As we were working on this track, more and more ideas came to us, and between the 3 of us, we ended up writing 'Medicine', 'I Like The Way' and 'Breaking Away'.
I wanted to find a balance of male and female vocals, so I set about writing 'Detonate' with Errol for Kelli Sae to sing. When it came about, it just fit a duet so well, as I loved the blend of their voices. So that’s how it came about.
I never set out in a particular direction. Music is all about what’s in the heart, and once I get on a roll, the creativity just keeps on coming. I already have a few tracks underway for the next album. When I first started in the music industry, I was working on analogue tape and large mixing desks. The sound quality was good, but not as good as it is now, and records took longer to produce.
You have a lot of collaboration on this album, with the likes of vocalists Bran Mazz and Tania Foster, singers Kelli Sae and Errol Reid, and even some live drums from Jamiroquai’s Derrick McKenzie.
What made you want this album to be as collaborative as it has turned out to be?
I’m a music producer and writer; I don't sing (apart from singing my ideas to the singer). I like to produce uplifting vocal tracks in the main, so unless I want to go down the AI route, which I don’t, then it’s inevitable I’m going to collaborate with some great artists.
I have worked with some of the artists on the album before, and they’re all people I love working with. That’s really important to me. The creativity flows when you’re having fun. I also know what type of sound I’m looking for, and I choose the singers accordingly.
I guess the surprise selection on the album was Mike Dunn, because it was the first time working together. We met on a boat party in Croatia a few years back and agreed to collaborate in the future.
Then, when the album was coming together, I’d sampled 'Flying High' by Freeez. I just knew I needed a darker sound to complement it, and Mike Dunn’s spoken word vocals were perfect. He’s such a professional, and I loved working with him in the studio.
Left to right: Tania Foster, Sian Lee, Michael and Phebe Edwards, Michael and Derrick McKenzie, Dyanna Fearon, Bran Mazz.
Your single ‘Ascension’ feat Bran Mazz is out now. What inspirations fuelled this track?
I’ve always loved the original track by Maxwell. I’m such a huge admirer of Maxwell. He’s a really talented artist. I wanted a version I could play out when I’m DJing, though, so I went about producing a remix. It was so well received on the dance floor, and I had so many requests for it that when I couldn’t get clearance through Sony, I decided I had to cover it.
I invited Bran Mazz and Errol Reid to the studio to work with me to see whether Bran’s voice would fit the brief. Errol supported with the higher falsetto vocals. It came together so well, and Bran’s voice was just perfect.
You never know in these scenarios. Sometimes the voice works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s much harder when you’re trying to cover a track than making a new one. You want to stay true to the original, so it takes a long time to get it right.
You hosted a launch party for your new album, ‘You & Me’, on the 30th of May at Night Tales Loft in Hackney, London.
How did that go? You also had support from Ethan Gray and other live performers. Do you think promoting an album in this way is the key to locking in the crowd you are targeting?
The album launch party was amazing! It sold out in advance, and the crowd were fantastic. We had a real mix of DJs, industry people and music fans of all ages.
I really wanted to showcase the tracks, and I felt like this was a perfect opportunity, especially with two of the singers from the album performing live PAs.
I think it really helps to bring the album to life for people. Having Ethan support me was great. He’s grown up with my music, and his style is very complementary to mine.
So, I couldn’t wish for a better person to support me. I’m really proud of him. I also had two of the singers on the album for live PAs. Tania Foster to sing “Shake” and Errol Reid for “Detonate”. They were both amazing and went down really well with the crowd.
In three words, how would you describe the album and the overall vibe we can expect to feel when listening?
Uplifting, emotional, danceable.
You just released a new app for Sultra Records. Tell us a bit more about this.
That was something my Fiancée Mel, had wanted to organise for me for a while. We knew from the last album two years ago that there would be a lot of promotional work and information to get out there, and she felt the best way would be to share it all in one easy-to-find place.
So, she set about finding someone to work with and reached out to Paul Gordon, who is part of our “Sultra Family” Facebook Group and a regular on my Twitch shows. It came together really fast, and it’s been a great way to promote the album and provide easy access to information about gigs, music, radio shows, etc. I’m really impressed with it. The feedback has been amazing! Check it out. https://sultra.netlify.app/
You’re no stranger to performing in world-famous venues, such as Glitterbox and Hi-Ibiza.
Are there any events or venues you are performing at that we should look out for this summer?
I’ve got a really busy schedule again this summer. I’m playing a few festivals again - Goodlife Festival in Leeds this weekend, Cafe Mambo in Hull, Electric Paradise at Milton Keynes and Funky Dory Festival 7.
I also have two more gigs in Ibiza. O Beach for Soul Heaven on 18 July and Glitterbox at Amnesia on 31 July. I also have my next Sultra gig at ACanteen on 26 September and many, many more…
Michael Grays ‘You & Me’ album is out now on Sultra Records.
Link to the album ‘You & Me’ - https://altramodamusic.lnk.to/WgFEid
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