Conversation with alternative hip-hop artist GRVE
Today on our Hot Seat we have an alternative hip-hop artist GRVE (Mike) with us. He is based in South Florida, just released first EP titled Mending Season. Lets have a chat with him.
Twist Online : Hi, Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Mike : I’m GRVE, pronounced “Grave”, but using a stage name conversationally is still, and likely always will be very weird to me. You can call me Mike.
Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
Mike : I have a lot of creative inspirations, but I’d have to say that my inspiration to get into the industry comes from a combination of a love for the art and a desire to get what I have to say out to the people. Whoever “the people” happen to be. If I can relate to one listener with a song, I’m stoked about that. Music helped shape me into the person I am, and has absolutely saved my life. If I can help someone, I feel like it’s my duty to give back.
Twist Online : Tell us about your recently released EP titled Mending Season?
Mike : Mending Season was an interesting project because it coincided with a “behind-the-scenes” podcast titled The 12 Week EP Project, and as the name implies, my partner (David Holt) and I only gave ourselves 12 weeks to work on it, from writing to release of the final track. This was a challenge for ourselves, put on by no one BUT ourselves. I’m happy with the result, and I think the restrictive timeframe forced us to just actually put something out. I have a bad tendency to sit on nearly-done work until I hate it. So to not have that option was kind of nice. The actual writing and performance of the EP was very cathartic and therapeutic for me. I had a lot to say and get off my chest at that time and I worry that I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for that deadline.
Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from the release?
Mike : People are really digging it, and that really almost took me by surprise. Not that I wasn’t proud of my work and David’s work, just that having people really appreciate a rookie release right from the get-go is sort of a rarity. It’s inspiring to see people enjoying the music.
Twist Online : What attracts you more performing on stage or working in studios?
Mike : Working in the studio is far more comfortable for me, but I’d say even before that, the writing process is by far my favorite. I’m a writer first and that’s my time to shine.
Twist Online : What’s your favorite music genre?
Mike: These days I live and breathe hip-hop. That hasn’t always been the case and certainly isn’t exclusive now but I feel like hip-hop artists are putting out some of the most personable, relatable art. I grew up a total metal kid. My first show was Poison the Well, and I still really appreciate a lot of that scene, and a lot of the newer progressive metal that’s come out. 9 times out of 10 though lately, I’m stuck on a hip-hop album.
Twist Online : Have you set some goals to achieve as a music artist?
Mike : My goal right now is to get enough material out that I can perform a long enough set. That’s short-term. But of course, I’ve got dreams. I want to share the stage with heroes, but who doesn’t? Right now, my goal is to continue to be true to myself and to listeners as a writer and performer. I’m not trying to project an image or be someone I’m not. The second that I act out of character and betray who I know I am, I’ll really need to take a step back. So my goal is to not let that happen.
Twist Online : Are you working on any new project?
Mike : David and I are in the production and early writing stages of our first LP, due out sometime in 2018. Hoping to release a single or two this year, and making sure it’s not only better, but different than Mending Season. I’m in a different chapter of my life, and that chapter acknowledges that very few feelings are constants, so I’m looking to really run the gamut lyrically. I can’t wait to get it out.
