There was a time when poets wrote texts to talk about their hopes or the love they felt for inaccessible women who did not look up to them. Centuries later, nothing has changed and Mike Coner is definitely a modern-day poet. This young Colombian-Venezuelan singer has just released his first EP available on all streaming platforms. Let's get to know him!
So firstly, how would you describe your sound?
I could describe my sound as a mix of hip-hop, reggaeton and dancehall. That is to say more generally Urban Latin. My music, I think, is dancing, exciting and romantic because it deals with stories of my life. Each letter has a very sentimental meaning for me.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
The day I go to the studio to record a song is the conclusion of a long process. Indeed, I start to compose at home or sometimes when I travel in the bus. The last time I took it, the journey lasted 17 hours. So that leaves time to write, compose and even repeat! My producer who was with me this time hated me for taking him on such a long trip, but when I sang the song to him, he was thrilled! Otherwise, when the lyrics are written, I try all kinds of things that I submit to my producer and he tells me what he thinks. But we almost always agree.
When the song is ready, I go to the studio, and with the sound engineer, we finalize everything. And after this work, time to time we jam with the other guys in the studio, and sometimes it leads to an idea to make a new song...
Do you have to be in a certain mood to write a song?
Well, I would say, probably like everyone else, that I must be happy… But in reality, I have to recognize that for the Muse to inspire me, I must be sad or upset. My most beautiful songs were written while crying in my bathroom, following heartbreaks. And so, the music comes out of the heart!
With songs, the most enjoyable thing is to be able to live again past emotions through them. As I said, I draw a lot of inspiration from my life, from my joys and sorrows in love. And the song makes it possible to transform the emotion experienced in order to live again it through writing and then through interpretation. The process of creating a song is a kind of alchemy, transformation or distillation of lived experience. We feel an emotion, we transform it into words and sounds to relive it and bring it to life for the public. And this personal experience becomes universal because there is like a communion between the singer and the public. In fact, this is what the poets of ancient times already did. We didn't invent anything.
Do you sing in the shower?
Yes, a lot! When I was younger, I took refuge in the bathroom because it was the only room that could be locked. I cried and I sang my sorrows. I kept this habit, so yes, I often sing in the shower.
My manager often tells me as a joke that one day I should install a studio in my bathroom, so I can save time. But if one day I do it, he will be very surprised…
Who are your three biggest musical inspirations?
My three biggest musical inspirations… Ne-Yo, Big Soto and Micro TDH.
Ne-Yo is the first artist I listened to because he is my mother’s favorite singer. When I was little, I remember his songs resounding throughout the house, my mother sang and danced. It is one of my best memories. And my mother says I knew how to sing his songs before I know how to speak. But you know mothers, they always exaggerate a little...
When I was a teenager, I listened to Big Soto’s songs a lot because they’re about moving forward and fighting for your dreams. And his songs were a big help to me when I found myself living on the streets at a time in my life. They helped me to never lose hope.
Like all young people in my country, my idol remains Micro TDH, who is currently doing a big tour in the United States. And his album Inefable transformed my way of singing because he is able to exploit all the nuances of his voice to highlight the lyrics of his songs. My dream is to sing with him on stage one day. I was able to talk to him and sing him one of my songs during a Live on TikTok and I promised him that one day I will not sing for him but with him!
Who is the best band you’ve ever seen play live?
I saw many concerts but never that of a famous singer because in my region there are not really famous artists who come to perform. But the most beautiful concert I have seen was a concert broadcast live on television. It was a concert by Tercer Cielo, a Dominican Christian Latin pop band. And you know that in my country religion occupies a very important place.
What’s the toughest part of the industry for you?
Well, I think it’s having support. That’s the hardest part to make yourself known. In my country, many of us have great talent, but we lack support to fulfill the purpose. And I hope that your interview will allow people to know me a little in your country.
What’s the most enjoyable part of the industry?
I would say that the most enjoyable thing is the possibility of meeting people from various backgrounds, of communicating with them through music. And of course, singing on stage to somehow enter into communion with the public.
What do you have in store for 2022?
My first EP called Destino o casualidad (Fate or chance) was released last July, and talks about my life, my dreams and of course my love experiences.
Another song made with a friend of mine will be released soon: Esperanza, which talks about the hopes of our generation. Songs that speak of love of course, like Pienso or Casanova and you have understood this evocative title...
But 2023 will be my year!
Listen to Mike on Spotify HERE
Follow the artist: