10/06/2010
Wonky Pop
After I boarded and got situated comfortably against the window, along came Tay Zonday down the airplane aisle, and sits down next to me! Man this guy was a dork. I'll never forget the irritatingly bright blue color of his shiny shirt. The way he seemed to enjoy taking a few drips from his nasal drops before we took off. I just couldn't muster the strength to ask him if he really was the Chocolate Rain guy. Well, at least not until we landed in Minneapolis and I finally asked him "are you the Chocolate Rain guy?" Using the same deep voice he has in his YouTube videos, he confirmed my doubt and even told me about his recent appearance on Maury Povich.
Mike Tompkins, however, is no Chocolate Rain guy. He is this incredible talented, underrated creative a capella singer from Canada, about to break into the pop scene. He's got all of the tools and skills to do so - he just needs someone to snatch him up. And someone will awfully soon, I guarantee that.
I had the privilege of talking to this YouTube sensation a couple weeks ago and loved every minute of our chatter. He's a funny, music loving guy who's got a sincere passion for what he does and an even bigger one for his fans.
Learn more about this amazing new artist after the jump.
Download his exclusive Teenage Dream/Just the Way You Are mashup here! He'll also be appearing on the Ellen Show tomorrow!
WP: Songs with only your mouth and tambourine or some other element? Are you kidding us? What made you go that route?
MT: From the beginning, I’ve always been a music producer - for the past 10 years. I’ve been producing since I was about 13 years old. I started beat boxing around 8 or 9 years old. I’ve been producing artists for the past 10 years and went to school for music production. It just seemed like the natural progression to start working on my own music. I never really thought about being my own artist up until the past year. I finally became comfortable and confident in myself and my music. I really started to think about what I could do that was different than any other artist. I’m already different because I can produce, mix and even do some video editing. It’s been a complete whirlwind ever since. People actually liking what I’m doing - still a shock in itself. It’s a major confidence boost now that people like what I’m doing.
WP: Is that your natural voice or is it electronically enhanced?
MT: Yep that is my real voice. As there is with any pop music, there’s obviously some tuning involved to make it sound a bit better. But it is my real singing voice.
WP: Do you have a background in music? Family members involved in music?
MT: I grew up in a musical family. I grew up in a church environment like a lot of young musicians do -- and music is always a big part of a church environment. I did vocal music all through high school. I even graduated with a vocal award from high school.
WP: You were pretty much a music geek huh?
MT: Well, yes but our school was really different. All the cool kids were either in drama club or the choir. I mean we’re Canadian so we’re all really nice. I wouldn’t say geek - I was still cool.
WP: Where do you record all of your music? You’re wearing two different outfits in the “Teenage Dream” video - how long does it take you to do one of your videos?
MT: I was wearing two different outfits for two reasons. One, for all the music stuff and two, for all the vocal stuff . I recorded that video all in one day. I do all the recording out of my own house. I just moved into a new house and have my own studio in the basement.
WP: Are you doing your music full time or do you also have a 9-5 job?
MT: Obviously I want my music stuff to be my full time gig - I’m still producing on the side but I’m trying to figure out how to make a living from the YouTube stuff I’ve posted.
WP: What sort of music production are you doing?
MT: Mostly pop music. Similar to the originals I have on my YouTube. I work with another artist named Shad, who’s doing really well in Canada. He’s an incredible guy and a fantastic lyricist. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves, especially for the talent he possesses. He’s signed with BlackBox (distributed through Universal) in Canada.
WP: Do you have help overlaying the sound and video edits?
MT: The Fireflies videos was done by friends of mine who helped me filmed and edit it. I’ve just been learning as I go. My focus has been how can I get what I need done and get the best quality.
WP: You’ve covered Owl City’s “Fireflies, Miley Cyrus’ “Party In the USA”, Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” (which went viral on YouTube) and now Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” What do you think is next? How did “Teenage Dream” go viral? Did you have a team to help you put it out there?
MT: Because of me? No. These videos can’t go viral without my fans. It’s definitely been from the people who are sharing the music. It’s been a real challenge creating something to have people share it with others. It’s part luck and I think the timing was really good - the video for Teenage Dream was released the same week her album was released.
WP: Have any of the artists you covered responded to your videos? Any chance they may want to collaborate?
MT: I hear rumors but I don’t know if it’s actually true.
WP: What artists/musicians do you gravitate towards the most right now? If you could work with anyone right now, who would it be?
MT: I think I’d like to get some solid management that believes in me and my music. Someone like Justin Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun and producers who believe in this, in what I’m creating. I’m a writer myself but people like Max Martin & Dr. Luke I totally admire. Anyone who would want to accept a challenge right now to try and produce music without instruments would be someone I’d be willing to work with.
WP: Do you realize you look hilarious when you make the cymbal noise?
MT: [Laughs] YES! I kinda exploded it a bit in the new video. I don’t think i did it on purpose on the Teenage Dream video but I have heard that before.
WP: What’s in the future for you? You’ve got two great original songs on YouTube & iTunes right now - Honesty and Dreamworld, when can we expect a video of an original?
MT: Dynamite and Fireflies are both on iTunes as well. I don’t have videos for Honesty and Dreamworld because I don’t believe they represent me as an artist. They are not a capella songs. For me to create an original song, I need to believe it’s a hit song. Then the video will follow.
WP: Have you found your sound yet?
MT: I’m not searching for my sound. I’m just searching for time. A day or two that I can actually sit down and figure this all out.
WP: I feel that the Pop industry right now is really lacking male Pop stars/singers. Someone like you that is so self-made definitely stands out in the crowd. If Imogen Heap and Justin Timberlake had a baby, you’d be their son.
MT: [Laughs] I like that. That’s a big compliment.
WP: If you were a Popsicle, what flavor would you be?
MT: [quick to answer] Orange. I don’t know why - I just like the taste of orange.
0 comments:
Post a Comment