Ours Is To Do Or Die… Or Something Like That, Says Miguel

A huge fan of guitars, Miguel speaks to The Musician.

Durban-born and bred producer, engineer and musician is a fan of guitars and has been playing, or at least tinkering with them, for the past twenty years. Apart from the guitar, which he uses for inspiration, he also plays the piano, which he says is the main thing that got him into music.

The muso, whose weakness is trying to ‘please everyone’, says he’s working on a number of projects, to the extent that it’s not really clear what he’s currently working on.

Responding to what his approach or philosophy to making music, he has one single word: ‘Pray’.

His proudest achievements are his latest songs, but don’t trust him on that, he says, since he’s biased, he tells me.

In fact, he says he cannot separate himself from his genuine opinions.

‘I'm biased and cannot separate myself from my own genuine opinions.’

On how he markets his music, he says he’s still learning, but what he knows, though, is that that the ‘latest system of doing things is truly worrisome’. But, ‘ours’, he adds, is to ‘do or die… or something like that’, which is really an awesome quote.

L. SOJINI: Can you tell us about yourself? Where you’re from and what kind of musician you are.

MIGUEL: I was born and bred in Durban, South Africa. I produce, engineer music amongst many other things.

I'm essentially mobile (laptop-based) but gravitate to certain places and rooms for my inspiration.

I play guitar and piano and use these as the main forms of inspiration. My track ‘I’m Not The One Who’s Wrong (I Am The Chosen One)’ was written on the ultra-cheap guitar I Frankensteined together. The one with the 007 sticker on it!

However, on the main production, I used quite a few different guitars - almost all from more than twenty years ago... The one part has me playing a 90's Ibanez standard six-string detuned to Bb... but only the three bottom strings because it was almost impossible to keep in tune for longer than a few minutes and I got lazy due to the fact I didn't need the other strings! So it skewed the bridge and threw the intonation out which caused a great effect... Listen to it in the second chorus of the track!

L. SOJINI: How did you get into music? 

MIGUEL: Piano lessons.

L. SOJINI: What do you think makes good music?

MIGUEL: Way too difficult to answer. Honesty. Dishonesty. The autonomy of art dictates that even if I love something, you may not...

L. SOJINI: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a musician?

MIGUEL: Strength: Keep going – kinda like the Duracell Bunny

Weakness: I identify too much with my weakness and try to please everyone but myself. 

L. SOJINI: What are you currently working on? 

MIGUEL: A number of projects or songs... Will keep them posted and then choose my top ones and make an album out of them. I was going to wait and release them all at once but I love too many styles to wait. Essentially rock.

The reason I hesitate to classify myself as metal is because I don't like the sound of the genre anymore. Sorry if that sounds condescending but metal sounds clinical and devoid of any substance anymore. Not all of it of course... I genuinely have aspirations for albums in the alternative country style, BritRock, hard rock style, swing style and – dare I say – romantic style.

Maybe in time I'll settle on a sound that does not require me self-identifying as anything someone wants to pigeon-hole me in.

An important mentor of mine on YouTube has warned that this may destroy my career. I hope not! He doesn't know that he's an important mentor of mine – so I won't drag him into my thing.

As soon as my career is clearer, I'll buckle-up and approach things with a singularity of purpose that befits those investing in me.

L. SOJINI: How do you approach music? As in, what’s your philosophy when it comes to making music?

MIGUEL: Pray.

L. SOJINI: What are you most proud of to have achieved as a musician? 

MIGUEL: My latest tracks are, to me, the finest things I have ever done. Whether they are successful or not is besides the point. I guess I cannot be trusted in this regard because I'm biased and cannot separate myself from my own genuine opinions. Or can I? And the loop starts...

L. SOJINI: How do you promote your music?

MIGUEL: Still learning. The latest system of doing things is truly worrisome. But I'm not going to comment anymore on this... Ours is but to do or die... or something like that!

L. SOJINI: Favourite musician? Why?

MIGUEL: Too many. James Hetfield (Metallica). Placebo. Snow Patrol. Billie Eilish and Finneas. Zane. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). John Mayer. Seal.... Robbie Williams... and many more. Dave Matthews Band. Carter Beauford – just because of how awesome he looks when he plays. Like he was made for one thing!

Why? They scratch my itches. And then cause more itches to appear. They are unique in their own special way.

L. SOJINI: What’s your advice or message to fellow musicians?

MIGUEL: Don't give up... But if you do, just remember this: Don't... Some serious karma awaits to be burnt if you were made for this and you reject it. How do you know if you're made for this? I don't know. Speak to someone you trust.

In the words of the immortal Dave Matthews Band, ‘You May Die Trying’.

Actually, disregard anything I tell you because there will always be someone more qualified to give you a different opinion. And just as you find him or her. You'll realize they are making it up too.

L. SOJINI: Can you recommend one musician you’ve worked with that The Musician can interview next? You can share their Twitter handle.

MIGUEL: Sorry. I keep to myself. Not anti-social... Just the way it goes... I liked a Hip hop artist I dealt with once – Alcupoem – I don't know if he's still around. Eugene was his name. Really-really good kwaito-style stuff with Snoop Dogg influences.