By: Staff
Miguel Dias releases "Learn to Say No," and the amazing song and video have many layers to unravel, powerfully bringing emotion to the surface.
With a colorful and really intriguing music video, this song tells an exciting story in which you can't predict the ending. Opening with some killer-sounding piano-esque synths that we immediately enjoyed, this track will keep your attention fixated. Our protagonist is somber, and we don’t yet know 100% why, but they are watching a person eating and drinking alone. The lyric “Sometimes I just don’t know myself, and I just want to be alone, but my heart keeps coming for you.” The R&B texture is 100% the fiber of this song but also possesses a bit of a rock foundation produced by the unique and well-performed drum beat. Then the chorus is introduced, and it’s positively angelic. With fullness and grace, Miguel Dias delivers a beautiful vocal performance that invokes emotion and, simultaneously, a gentle sway in your body. Mixed amongst this beauty is a guitar solo that’s swift and brief but outstanding in delivery and presentation. Images of our protagonist persist, still somber, riding the bus alone, and seemingly lost emotionally. We especially enjoyed it when the protagonist’s lips were matched up with the lyrics randomly throughout the video, making you want to see more and more of this. We truly connected with the imagery of looking at your phone, seeing no messages, and then pulling the covers over your head; WOW! This video and song deliver a terrific rendition of an artist’s creation, visually and audibly. We don’t want to spoil too much, but the lyrics “I love you for so long. I lost my head.” And the following imagery makes this song a super win for us; it’s a must-watch.
Big props to the whole recording team. The production mix, master, and engineering of this song are outstanding, with each layer of the track holding itself individually and then as a group, creating a masterful performance.
We’re not going to tell you the ending, obviously, but we absolutely recommend that you find this video and playlist this song today because it is an emotion-invoking display of musical ability.
Now it’s your turn, Check out Miguel Dias and “Learn to Say No” today.
Powerful quote we learned from the team of Miguel Dias:
“Miguel Dias crafted "Learn To Say No" during a period of deep introspection and emotional turmoil. The songwriting process was marked by his struggle to balance personal needs with the complexities of a tumultuous relationship. This song emerged organically as Dias grappled with feelings of longing, self-doubt, and the difficult realization that sometimes, love isn't enough to sustain a relationship.
Dias began writing the song after a significant breakup, finding solace in the creative process. The lyrics were penned during late-night sessions, where Dias's emotions were raw and unfiltered. He aimed to capture the essence of his inner conflict and the universal struggle of learning to prioritize oneself in love.”
Wait, there's more!
We caught up with this exciting and emerging artist, Miguel Dias, for:
“The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
When did you start making music?
I started making music in high school. A friend and I formed a “band,” though we never played live together. Eventually, the band evolved, and we began performing at festivals all over Portugal. The band was called No Relation, and this was before I decided to pursue my solo career.
Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you and why you create music?
I never try to copy a song or anything like that. I just create a lot of random beats, instrumentals, and melodies. Then, after some time, I sift through everything to see if there’s something in that mess that could become a project.
What emotion do you feel inspires your writing process the most, i.e., sadness, worry, happiness, etc.?
I’ve always felt that sad songs are more powerful than happy ones. There’s a raw genuineness to sadness—it comes straight from the heart and carries a certain weight. Happiness feels good, but it’s lighter in comparison.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration for this latest project came from?
The inspiration for this project came from a dream of visiting Japan and connecting with Japanese culture and cyberpunk aesthetics. It was a journey of self-discovery, and it was a challenging process because I produced the album on my own. I was trying to find a style that felt authentic to me.
Where do you create your music? Do you work in a home studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work?
This project was quite hybrid in nature. I recorded a lot of the material in my home studio and collaborated with musicians from around the world to capture specific parts. I also traveled to Sevilla to record vocals at Unomusic Studios with Luis Villa. While I did some of the mixing and mastering references myself, I wouldn’t consider myself a professional in that area, so Luis Villa handled the final mixes, and the mastering was done by Miguel Angel at Black Box Mastering
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
The most challenging part was finding “my sound”—the thing that felt like me. I experimented with a lot of different genres. The album started with 20 songs, but I eventually cut it down to 16, then 12, and finally 7. As I finished some of the songs, I realized I no longer related to them, but I think that’s a normal part of the creative process.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
My biggest motivation is the desire to live off my own music and stop playing cover songs in bars. Where I live, making a living as a professional musician often means playing covers to earn money because original projects require a lot of effort with less return. There’s no greater gratification for me than when someone tells me they love my song.
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
I feel the industry today moves too fast. Almost no one listens to a full album or an entire artist's work—only true fans do. Music is treated like “fast food” now, consumed quickly and discarded just as fast. If a certain genre, like reggaeton, is trending, many artists will jump on that trend to sell music.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
This year, I hope to find producers to collaborate with. I don’t want to work alone again—it takes too long, and you end up in a cycle of self-doubt. Often, you can’t see things clearly, and you need time to decide if your ideas are good or not. So, I plan to explore something new, perhaps more upbeat and “strange/experimental.”
What instruments do you play, and which is your favorite?
I play several instruments, including guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and I started learning the trumpet but had to stop the lessons. My favorites are synthesizers because of the unique sounds they can create, and I’m a vintage synth enthusiast. Whenever I have the chance, I try to purchase old vintage synths. But my main instrument is the guitar, and my favorite styles to play are jazz/fusion, soul/funk, and rock.
Where do you currently reside, and what is the live music venue scene like there?
There aren’t many opportunities to grow as an artist here. We have a lot of talented musicians, but most focus on playing covers to earn money, leaving behind the creation of new music or working as session musicians in studios. It’s hard to find people who are serious about working on original projects.
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?
Being an artist is a journey of self-doubt and comparison. When you’re finishing a song, someone else might release something new, and you start thinking, “My song sucks, this is so much better.” There were times when I seriously considered scrapping everything, especially since I was working alone. But my closest friends always gave me the support and encouragement I needed to carry on.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I talk about this with my friends often. I would change a lot, especially in terms of education. Back then, I went to college and graduated in International Relations because I felt pressured by my family to pursue a degree that would lead to a “stable” job. If I knew then what I know now, I would have studied music abroad and made as many connections as possible.
What is your favorite song to cover?
Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster.”
How do you feel about social media?
It’s cool for staying connected with friends and seeing what they’re up to, but I hate social media. I only started caring about it this month because it’s something artists need nowadays, but I dislike it. If I were rich or famous, I’d definitely have someone else handle it for me.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?
The most inspirational thing for me is when people sing along with me during a performance. I always think, “How do they know the words?” It’s what motivates me to keep going. It’s more powerful than when someone says, “You have talent, you’re going to make it,” etc.
END INTERVIEW
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Miguel Dias on Spotify & YouTube.
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