Exclusive Interview with “Michael Coileman” See Your Shadow Song Writing
Q: Hi Michael! How have things been going since the release of your latest single, "It Starts With Hello?" Hello, it’s good to talk to you. We have been crazy busy since the release of “It Starts With Hello.” First, I was so surprised that the song was received so well, as it was kind of a departure from the material our fans and radio partners were used to getting from us, but the song was embraced so well and now we are gearing up for the follow up single, “Showdown” which is doing well before it is even out. It doesn’t come out until September 24th.
Q: You've had quite a ride with the a number of singles doing very well on the charts. What has been the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in the past year? Sometimes, I still can’t believe it, some of the things that have happened. I mean, four number 1s in a row on the iTunes Country Chart in South Africa and we were just named alternative group of the year by The International Music Association which recognizes excellence in gospel music. That was a big deal to us, because we don’t necessary classify ourselves as a gospel group so for us to be recognized for our song, “I Will Tell Jesus You Said Hello” was kind of a big deal.
Q: What do you like to do when you're not making music? I love to travel. I had some great trips planned that I had to cancel due to the pandemic, but those are back on track. I also love, to write and we have plans to do a screenplay based on our song, “Christmas on Cellblock 9”.
Q: You are from Phoenix, AZ. What is your favorite thing about the city? Oh, by all means two things, the weather and the Mexican food. There is nothing more satisfying than authentic food prepared by authentic people. I have my house kind of laid out like a resort and with this weather in Phoenix, it’s like I am on vacation all the time and I am just in my back yard.
Q: If you could work with anyone in the world, who would that be and why? Oh my goodness, this is such a good question because we do have such an international connection, I don’t know if I could
pick just one, with that said however, I would love to do a project with the best bagpipe players I could find in Scotland and do a hybrid cross genre record and feature them a my lead instrument kind of like I did with our song, “I Know My Worth” which was the first danceable record featuring the banjo as the lead instrument. I just love doing things that have not been done before.
Q: Are you political at all? Do you get involved in social media debates? I am, but I am not at the same time. I try not to get involved in politics from a standpoint of rendering my opinion about issues because our fanbase spans all political views and I need to respect the fans. I weigh in on social media when I feel I need to, but it is more to offer opinions about how people can make themselves be better people. For the record, though I will say when it comes to politics, I am smack dab in the middle.
Q: What is one thing about yourself that you would change? Oh my God, what a great question. I think the one thing I would like to change is I would like to be able to have the ability to turn
my brain off and relax a little more. When I am in the thralls of creating, the project consumes me, so much so that I even work when I sleep. I would like to be able o have that off switch.
Q: If you had any advice for an up and coming artist, what would that be? I would say to all up and coming artists, get to know your craft, listen to your gut and never apologize for any art that you create. Your work, if it is good, will find its audience.
Q: Any plans for a new single? Oh yes and we are so excited about the next single out on the streaming platforms on September 24th. The next single is called “Showdown” and it is a hard rocking guitar driven hunk of dynamite. It’s our David versus Goliath underdog anthem.
Q: Will you be releasing a follow up album? We tend to release single more than full fledge albums, but we have a milestone anniversary coming up and I may do a
compilation album of the work See Your Shadow has done over the years.
Q: Any last shout outs or words for your fans? I have to give a big thanks to all of our fans from all over the world that show their support of independent music, we are nothing without you and if you see your Metropolitan Cowboy out and about every fan that comes up and says howdy to me will get a free copy of the latest body of work.