By: Staff
"A Scene from Heaven," by Joey Miceli, opens with soft strings and then adds rapid beats and the words "Run away."... we loved the sound and instantly got attached to this artist. Joey Miceli’s voice is angelic yet sexy and possesses that quality you find hard to describe but love so much. You know when you get stopped at the perfume counter and let them spray you with a "musk," and your nostrils go to cloud 9? Then you ask the price and say… "my first car was less than that!" (quality comes at a price right!). Joey Miceli has that musk feel, and we are on cloud 9. The fast delivery over the rapid-fire beats is almost my favorite part of the song, only to be upstaged by the belting chorus that you can see the star power Joey exudes. There is tremendous talent here, and we are glad it intersected with our path. The song arrangement twinkles in your ear like a sunset with beautiful "ear candy" sprinkled throughout. Shout out to the engineers and recording team for an outstanding result. Also, shout out to Hannah Fischer, Creative Director for Joey Miceli, who was a part of having this blog post come to fruition. "A Scene from Heaven," by Joey Miceli, is out now, and you need to playlist and stream this so we can show it the love it deserves!
We had a chance to get Joey Miceli in the Cage and learn more about them, and we wanted to share it with you!
Here’s what we learned:
When did you start making music? Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you that is important to understanding why you create music?
-I started writing when I was around six. My first memory of writing was changing the lyrics to existing songs or writing about the most ridiculous circumstances. I think the first full original song I wrote was with my cousin Angelica’s help and we called it, Blackhole. It was about a girl appearing out of a black hole and falling madly in love with her. So just another Tuesday.
What first sparked the passion for you to create music?
- Listening to all types of music growing up gave me this idea of limitless potential. My brother was always a thrill seeker, hurting himself and trying new instruments and sports. I tried all those things too, but what really fascinated me was how I could use words to explain a feeling in a way I never felt possible, how I could use my recorded voice to interpret it, and what emotions I could evoke from the product. That was like the biggest dopamine rush for me growing up. It still really hits when you get that first bounce of the session and you get to hear all you accomplished that day in the studio. Especially when it resonates with you; that’s the best feeling.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from for “A Scene from Heaven”?
- My process usually starts with production. I work super closely with Santino Cardinale, Colby C., and JHype. What’s nice is they’ve really given me an opportunity to explore my vision as a producer and sound designer. I’m definitely still at the beginning of learning, but I’ve been involved a lot more. If we’re starting with production, usually lyrics and melody will follow when they’re ready. Sometimes I’ll have chords in mind, or I’ll start with a lyric. But I almost always start with a title. A Scene from Heaven started with production and a title. I produced it with Colby and Tino. I struggled with the verse melodies for a bit, but we ended up kind of free styling melodies with the lyrics and kept the ones we felt fit best. It was fun because once the song was finished, I hadn’t remembered anything we recorded, really. So hearing the session for the first time after that day in the studio, it was like hearing the song for the first time. And it still feels that way when I listen to it.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
- I’m sensitive to the small details. I remember caring a little too much about the tone of the synth swells that are under the entire song, the volume of the bells in the post chorus, making sure the melodies didn’t sound too simple or predictable, little stuff like that. Also feeling like it was the right choice for a first single. There’s another song I thought would introduce this next phase of my career, but I had a certain feeling that A Scene from Heaven could be a great introduction. The launch is still to come. It’s always important for me to evolve and change. I think we made the right decision.
Is there any part of your music's message or purpose that you feel fans or the industry has overlooked? If so, what is that element, and why is it so important to you?
- I think I’ve always cared a lot about quality. When I listen back on music I made as a teenager, it was definitely not great quality, but I do often try to give myself some credit. For a fourteen year old deciding to independently release and support a career in music after a couple of failed deals, I was doing fine. After I decided to release stuff when I was fourteen, I’ve historically [even though it’s not all on the internet anymore] released a project almost every year since. I have to try to appreciate that consistency in myself.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
- Studying artists and work I really admire has been a great tool recently. That’s something my album, The Standard Portrait, taught me. I think there has become this stigma around the admiration of artists and their work, where you can’t be too extroverted about your appreciation of something without looking like you’re replicating. The idea that anything is completely original is silly. I think it’s really healthy to be a fan of people making art because it grounds you. I look at these artists who seem so much greater than us because of how remarkable their talent and catalog is, and I realize I relate to them because I am them. They were where I am and I can be where they are. All it takes is the investment in craft. Replicating something is one thing, but allowing yourself to be inspired is the greatest fuel.
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?
- I’ve always struggled a bit with finding budget friendly compromises for visuals. Because I’m independent, everything has to be supported by me and that, of course, comes with limits. I think I’m on a path right now of finding a balance, but I definitely always feel eager to be bigger and bolder in my choices. There’s so much I want to do.
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
- I’m super disappointed in the lack of artist development right now. I came up in an industry that really valued investing in potential and taking some risks. This industry went from capitalizing on momentary success with songs, to devoting a budget to the world an artist wanted to make. We were raised by artists like Gaga, Nicki, Britney, and Beyonce. And it was happening even before them. They completely enveloped their fans in each era. And now we’ve returned to the former, focusing on songs and their longevity, instead of an artist’s legacy. It’s a bummer to me. Stars are stars, and if everything is about money, give us a budget and watch what we do! I’ll be here when they’re ready.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
- I will always dedicate myself to a life of escaping patterns. Part of the reason I’ve dedicated my life to being a writer and a performer is because women in this industry have such great expectations placed upon them. I’m here to level the playing field. Put those expectations on me and I will deliver. I can’t wait to reveal everything I have coming next.
Was there ever a time when you emotionally felt, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
- After losing a significant record deal when I was thirteen. I had completely convinced myself that my life was changing. I felt so confident in everything we had worked on and then it was left to collect dust. It made me feel like I wasn’t special anymore. That’s something I’m still sorting through and I’d love to write about one day soon, but it was definitely formative. I wouldn’t be who I am today without it. Even if that doesn’t always feel like the best thing.
What is your favorite song to cover?
- I haven’t really done any covers in quite a while, but there are so many songs I’d love to reimagine or cover. I’ve always wanted to cover stuff like Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park, Letter to Hermione by Bowie, Sailing by Christopher Cross, After You by Roberta Flack, Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol, I’m with You by Avril, or Honey by Robyn. Those are very few of the many amazing songs I’d love a shot at. One day I’ll have to make them happen.
What famous band or artist would you love to tour with?
- I’ve always wanted to tour with Troye. I think, sonically, it would make a bit of sense. Right now, I’d be so down to support MUNA, Omar Apollo, Remi Wolf, Hippo Campus, Billie, or COIN. In my dream, headlining world, I’d love to tour with my friends. Taking Tino on the road with me will have to be a must, but I’m just so inspired by the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and being around.
What underrated band or artist would you like to show the world they have been missing?
- My dear friend, Abigayle Kompst. I’ve been a fan of her writing and beautiful voice since we were seventeen or eighteen. We actually met as kids doing a youth production of Oliver. She has always inspired me and pushed me to be a better writer. She’s also been massively validating. I’m very grateful to call her a friend; her music is so special. Everyone should be listening.
What is the most motivating thing a fan or anyone has ever told you about your music?
- I’ve often been referred to as or told I am “underrated” and the older I get, the less I believe in that concept. I still appreciate the gesture and sentiment and obviously it’s not that deep. I just feel like referring to anything or anybody as one or the other invalidates their achievements. Of course I’d like to be farther along in my career, but I am where I am; doing the best I can do. I’m really trying to be content with that and trust whatever process this is.
Check out his latest release and listen to more of JOEY MICELI on Spotify & YouTube.
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