Interview: Michele, R&B/Neo Soul Singer & Songwriter

By Angela Tai

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? And, was it an easy or difficult choice to make? 

Honestly, I’ve dreamt of becoming a singer since I started singing which is when I was either three or four years old. Even when I was in school, I wanted to go to a music conservatory instead of going to math class. As a person who grew up in the Middle East, our parents are very rational with their thinking. Mine always emphasized studying first and doing singing on the side as a hobby. I have a Master’s in Food Science so I’m a scientist but deep down I always knew that music was my passion. I always thought I’d be the singer who covers other peoples’ music, but two years ago I had a job that I was very miserable in so I decided to do something with music as a plan B. I had major stage fright but because I wanted to do something with my voice I started going to open mics and made the decision to become a full-time singer ever since

I know you mentioned that your mom heard you sing when you were a child and immediately told you you had a great voice. Were your parents supportive when you told them you wanted to transition into doing music full-time? 

They were and still are very supportive - I still have a 9-5 job as a way to sustain myself so I’m juggling a lot. But when they see how my music reaches people, that I have interviews here and there going on, it gives them hope that there might be something there. I’m lucky to have parents who let me pursue my dream but at the same time bring me back down to reality when I’m dreaming too much. 

Historically speaking, artists have created their work as a form of protest or speaking the truth about a political climate. Do you feel like your work evolves depending on what’s going on around the world or in your environment? 

Definitely. Mainly, my work comes out more in terms of how I am feeling around a specific situation that has happened in the world rather than the situation itself. Some songs I’ve written are very philosophical but I don’t know if I’ll ever release them. I do want to try and tackle worldwide subjects but I realized that the subject I want to focus on is feminism and sexism. Specifically, in terms of the woman’s sexuality and how society views it. I’m trying to incorporate that in my music, it’s the focal point for now. 

In April, you chatted with Exhale and performed on Facebook Live. You discuss the meaning and importance of being able to live your truth. How have you found the strength to be yourself and unapologetically live your truth in a world of naysayers? 

Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out and still trying to live my truth fully. Slowly, I’m learning not to take criticism to heart, I generally don’t get offended easily and also don’t care about what other people think but I’m still human. I would like to think that I’m living my truth as an artist but I do have some restrictions in my head like what my parents or society might think. 

Do you feel vulnerable when you’re putting yourself on social media? 

Somewhat. I don’t like being vulnerable at all — when I started writing music — I became very vulnerable in my music and led the real life facade of being a strong woman. I’m trying to be more vulnerable publicly. I am someone who is very honest so I’m slowly talking about things openly, things that are sensitive to some people or that people don’t usually like to talk about because it aligns with the music I make and want to create. 

Throughout your career, have you ever felt like you’ve failed at something and looking back, do you have a different feeling about it? 

Not really - not yet, anyways. I’m sure that’s going to come eventually and I’m preparing myself mentally for rejection because I know it’s bound to happen. 

Sometimes, we think about what other job(s) we may be in if we had simply decided to pursue a different path. Was there ever a point in time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? 

Anything that has to do with food which is what I’m doing now. I’m a food & beverage consultant but if I have to get specific, I would have loved to have become a chef.

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, we’ve had no choice but to establish and stick to a new daily routine. In what ways have you been forced to rebuild your daily routine in the wake of COVID? 

It wasn’t a very easy time for me - when we were on lockdown, it was very hard. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to do a lot of things that I didn’t have time to do beforehand but then I fell into this black hole of overthinking that I’m pretty sure everyone has been through. I wrote down a new routine and had a list of things that I wanted to do - I didn’t do any of the things on the list. I do still think that it was lost time but I’m trying not to feel too guilty about that - it’s hard not to. 

You grew up in Lebanon and now live in Dubai. How is your music received in the UAE vs. other countries? 

Yes, I grew up in Lebanon, did one year in the UK for my master’s and then came to Dubai. My music’s received pretty well over here to my surprise, even though some of the songs are quite provocative. The music scene isn’t big in Dubai yet and because I sing in English, there are only a few people who know of it. The reactions to my songs have been pretty overwhelming though - especially the ones that are quite provocative. Those ones are everyone’s favorites and I think that’s because they really are genuine. For my friends who live outside the country, there has also been a great response to my music. 

We’ve streamed and listened to your songs “Mirage” and “Second Chance!” We were absolutely blown away. What was the inspiration behind these songs? How do you think it compares to your previous songs as you reflect on the progression of your work? 

I had a dream one day that I was sailing on a boat surrounded by fairy lights and my parents and sisters were there when it happened. I had to write a song about it. Comparing the song to Fair/Unfair (which was my first song) has been interesting because it shows the progress in my songwriting. Mirage is very poetic and I never thought I could do that because I’m not someone who likes to speak in metaphors, so I definitely surprised myself. 

We came across some of your posts on Instagram and you’re very open about your struggles with OCD and perfectionism. What are some of the coping skills that have helped you deal with lapses and setbacks when you’re “in the zone” of making something perfect?

That is a daily struggle, yes. I try to remind myself that I really am my own worst critic. I live life being very sarcastic but with a very self-deprecating sarcasm so I tend to point out all of the flaws rather than the good things in my actions or creations. I see and hear all the little imperfections in my voice for example and those are the things that stop me from creating or sharing but I try to remind myself that I only see/hear them because they’re so minor and no one pays that much attention. I know my posts on OCD and perfectionism are well received and get the highest levels of engagement because they’re relatable.

Did you have a favorite musician or even music video that you loved growing up?

Yeah, I was a huge fan of Eminem. The music video that I still have ingrained in my head is “Just Lose It,” it’s the one with the little girl dancing. I was so surprisingly shocked at the time at how she was dancing so well.

And who are some of your favorite artists now that have continued to inspire you and your music? 

I’m very into underground artists rather than the big pop artists. I love Nao, James Vickery, Tom Misch etc. but I do have to mention Sam Smith and Adele. They’re all incredible, I’m someone who focuses on voices and melodies more than lyrics so even when I don’t pay attention to what they’re saying I’m so touched by their voices. These artists really always inspire me and push me to make better music each and every time. 

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? And, what would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? 

The best one is Instagram but I hate it so much. Honestly, if I had a choice to not have social media, it would make my life so much easier. I’m not someone who loves to take photos of myself, I am trying to get better at it though. Twitter is also a good one for my audience to get to know me and it’s where I rant more often. I’m much more contained on Instagram! I’d like to think so anyway.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music? 

I want my music to be a way for people to express themselves and put their feelings into words - for it to be cathartic for them. Even if they feel hatred towards it, as long as I can make them feel something, I can say that I’ve accomplished something.