DREW NEWS INTERVIEW SERIES 2.0 

 

 

 

 

DREW NEWS INTERVIEW SERIES 2.0: MIKE ANT

 

Songwriter, arranger and vocalist Mike Ant is hovering on the steps of stardom. With his velvety unfathomable delivery, Mike plans to collide onto the R&B scene in 2007. In this year alone, the sultry crooner delivered two illustrious hits that found its way to a major black sitcom, solidifying him as an “new artist to watch for” in the upcoming year.

Dr. Drew sat down with the tuneful & melodious singer to harvest information on how he got his start and his intentions to seize the music world by storm.

INTERVIEW

Dr. Drew: For those who are unfamiliar with Mike Ant, can you explain how you got your start?

Mike Ant: For the sake of time, I will give you the abbreviated version...LOL

I always sang along with music coming up. I realized it is what I wanted to
do early on. I was shy at first but eventually after doing it repeatedly, I got over that. Therefore, I hooked up with some people that I knew who did
music. I had already written many songs, most of which were no good. LOL but
with the guys I was working with, I sang and co-wrote songs.  I never
stopped listening to music and improving on my craft. Then about 4 years
later, I had my first professional recording experience where I worked with
an established producer and I recorded songs that I wrote and arranged. He
was patient and gave me the basis of the studio knowledge that I have
accumulated today.

I must say that at first I was NO GOOD. I mean my songs were ok. I hit and
missed. However, I could not sing in the studio. I was used to singing in church
where we sang hard. However, that does not translate well in studio singing. I had
to learn subtle approaches and less abrasive techniques. However, it did not take
me long to catch on because I was hungry and I wanted to learn.

Dr. Drew: Who is the most inspirational person in your life and why?

Mike Ant: That is very difficult to answer because I have had many people inspire me
in different areas. I can only be completely honest and I will not try to be
deep and say someone who seems like the perfect good answer...LOL I will say
that it is a tie between Whitney Houston and Kobe Bryant.  I grew up
listening to Whitney. I admire how she interprets music, and the
beauty of her gift. She has done a lot for people and she is misunderstood.
She just wanted to be a normal person and people put her on a pedestal. Her
life is not over and she will be back on top.

Kobe Bryant also inspires me because he is not your average basketball story. He was raised in Italy and the son of an NBA player.  He had to prove that he belonged, he also is misunderstood. He is hated for being unique and by him not being a "hood"
kat, some people don't understand that.  Learning experience to me comes from the streets. If you don't have that experience then it will be difficult to know.
I admire how he and Whitney continue to hold their heads up in spite of
adversity. I admire how they can still be on the top of their game even
though they are talked about and hated. I understand them. They make me want
to be the best I can be.

Dr. Drew: How long have you been performing professionally?

Mike Ant: For about 11 or 12 years now.  It started in middle school were I was singing background for a neighborhood friend who was older than I was, in her nightclub act.

Dr. Drew: Your music is feature on a black sitcom called "Noah's Arc" how did that initially come about?

Mike Ant: A good friend of mine, Jensen Atwood, whom I have known for about 7 years now, is an actor on the show. He told me that the show's creator, Patrick
Ian-Polk, was looking for songs and he already had a CD with some music of
mine and he gave it to him and Patrick wanted to use three of the songs.

Dr. Drew: What was your reaction when you heard your music was being used for their show?

Mike Ant: I was excited. I called the producer of the 3 songs, Sean Konnery, and told
him about it.

Dr. Drew: The song 'Touch', do you remember when it hit you, the inspiration or
the moment when you said "Hang on a sec, what's this melody here"?

Mike Ant: Sean and I were in the studio and we were trying to make a ballad.  He
actually started the chord progression and before he could program the song,
I had the whole song written. It was a collaborative effort, as is all the
work we do.  He will start an idea, I will offer suggestions and then I will write
the song. I arranged the harmonies as well.

Dr. Drew: You clearly have a brilliant voice and write great lyrics. Please can you
describe the Mike Ant songwriting/music-making process?

Mike Ant:  Wow! Thank you. Brilliant! Wow! I appreciate that. Well I do not have a
formula for writing songs. Songs tend to come from everywhere. I have
disciplined myself enough through the years of writing to all different
kinds of tracks and without tracks, to be able to write at any given moment.
However, some songs are like little gifts that are given to you [songwriter].
A melody can pop in my head or a song title or a lyric at any given moment.
I can over hear a conversation and something will pop out. I can read
something and words will pop out.  I make sure to keep a Dictaphone close by
in these times so I can record my idea and come back to work on it later.

In the studio, it depends on what we [producer and I] are trying to
accomplish that particular day.  Any scenario is possible in the creative
process. Sometimes we just vibe to other people's music for hours and not do
anything. I have learned not to force it. I can write at anytime,
anywhere, any day, but I try to take my time and write good, quality songs
instead of just crappola...LOL Hey but I have written some crappola too,
because that is what was needed...so I am versatile.

Dr. Drew: What challenges, if any, are you facing putting your debut album together?

 Mike Ant: I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED THAT ONE...LOL

Well, initially it was deciding what kind of project to do. I am a student
of ALL kinds of music and I pride myself in being able to deliver (write,
sing, perform) varied genres and be true to the genre. Therefore, I wanted to do a
Jazz record, a Gospel record, an Alternative record, a Hip-hop R&B record, a
country record...u name it.  However, someone gave me a great piece of advice.
They said that where you end up is not where you necessarily need to start
and so I remembered that. In addition, I am doing music now that comes naturally. I
am not going to try to be something that I am not. Therefore, it is easy for me
when I think about it that way.

I was the biggest problem to putting the album together. LOL After I got
over certain issues, now I can see vividly what I am to do and what I am NOT
to do.

Dr. Drew: Do you have a major deal?

Mike Ant: I have a deal through and independent label through a major label.

Dr. Drew: How would you categorize your music?

Mike Ant: I would say that it is soulful, but falls into the category of real music. I
believe that it is sonically appealing and can take you there to a getaway
place if you let it. It is honest, emotional, and probably how you felt at
one point or another lyrically because it comes from experience, although
all the experiences are not necessarily my own.

Dr. Drew: American Idol is a popular show did you ever want to go on American Idol?

Mike Ant: No, I never wanted to. The only thing I would have loved to do is to have
been given the opportunity to sing varied styles of music. I would have
loved that.

Dr. Drew: If you weren't singing now what do you think you would be doing?

Mike Ant: Journalism, Author/novelist, Fashion Design, Architecture or some
entertainment industry related job.

Dr. Drew: Do you think the genre of R&B gets the respect it deserves?

Mike Ant: Today's R&B does. However, I think there are some artists who don't. I think in order for R&B truly get respect, it has to be made with respect and passion and creativity. It has to be written & perform from the heart and your soul. If it's done to make a quick buck, then you are not going to have the same respect for it as you do something made to touch your soul. Point blank.

Dr. Drew: Describe yourself in three words?

Mike Ant: Chosen, kind, goofy.

Dr. Drew: Any last words or comments?

Mike Ant: My album is coming next year like February...and u can keep updated on my progress on myspace.com/mikeant. Thank you so much for this interview. Look forward to me on the airwaves in '07. Features on Hip-hop artists, R&B...everywhere as well as radio, a video and live performance...ANYWHERE music is played! My buddy Bishop Lamont's debut CD on Aftermath/Interscope is coming in the New Year.  Look for me on
there as well.