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Mike Hale Interview: SXSW 2010

Mike HaleWherever you find Mike Hale, chances are he will be strumming his beloved guitar. Although he belongs to two rock bands, when he sings as a solo artist his melodies are nothing short of soothing and refreshing. Spinner caught up with Hale to find out where his inspiration comes from and what he has planned for his upcoming SXSW appearance.

Describe your sound in your own words.

I've always played with punk rock bands, yelling and screaming and stuff. This is kind of what I do in my bedroom. It has always been a part of my life, music and guitar and stuff. It's what I do in my private time. My music is my particular version of a rock song I would normally play on any day of the week in a different fashion.



Have you been in music groups before? Why this solo project?

I play in two rock bands, one on the West Coast called In the Red and one in Gainsville called Gunmoll. That's my rock bands, and neither one tours, so this is what I do with the rest of my time. This is more my full-time thing now, and when given the opportunity to do something in a band, I totally embrace it.

How did you get your start in music?

My dad's mother played guitar and sang [in] a really famous old bluegrass band named Scruggs and Flatts. They were based out of Memphis, and I'm from Mississippi. When they were home from touring, they had a radio show and she was their guitar player and singer. My dad learned to play guitar that way, and I grew up with a guitar in the house. It was always there. My mother's an organist and a pianist. I've done that my whole life, as well.

What are your musical influences?

I'm really influenced by a lot of the bands and people from Suburban Home Records, my record label. They do the same thing I do and I get to spend time with awesomely good people, like Joey Cape, John Snodgrass, Chad Price, Tim Berry and Chris Berry. Chris Wallard from Hot Water Music is one of my best friends in the whole world. I simply adore him. He's probably the best talent machine I've ever known. Spending a lot of time with that guy has always been a big, huge influence. Chuck Regan [from Hot Water Music] influences me, too. I have friends who are interested in doing the same sort of thing I do, and I get to enjoy their company, as well as their crafts.

What's your biggest vice?

I have a really hard time sitting still. I'm very transient. I will pick up and leave at the drop of a hat. I don't have a home and I don't have any roots, I guess. That's something that plagues me every day of my life. I really long for that but every time I get the opportunity to do it, at the slightest hint or hope of adventure, I'm out the door. If there is adventure involved, I don't have the willpower to resist. I'm up and I'm gone.

What's in your festival survival kit?

My guitar. I've also got a lot of friends in Austin. I travel non-stop. I have a backpack with essentials to get by and my guitar. I can go anywhere and do anything.

Who was your celebrity crush?

Annie [from the 1982 film 'Annie']. My mom took me and a bunch of little kids to see the movie and I was in love with Annie.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I'm not ashamed of it by any means, but I love Juliana Hatfield and the Indigo Girls. I've been made fun of it quite a bit. In my circle of friends, if you are not listening to something hard and heavy like other punk rockers do, you get made fun of. I get ridiculed for it, but I have no problem with it.

Beatles or Stones?

Beatles! If I hear Mick Jagger's voice, I dive for the radio. I can't stand the Rolling Stones. They never made one good song. I hate it! I hate Roger Daltrey, too, and the Who sucks. I don't care what anyone says. I've almost been in fist fights with friends over this. If someone puts their record on, I will leave the room! Both of the frontmen, Mick Jagger and Roger Daltrey, something about their voices are like nails on a chalkboard to me. I will run away from it, given the opportunity.

What's the craziest thing you have experienced on tour?

The craziest good thing was last year [when] some friends and I just happened on a Willie Nelson concert in a town where we just stopped to see a movie on a day off. We just happened to see all these buses and decided to walk up to them and see who was in town. Sure enough, it was Willie Nelson's crew. We ended up talking to his road manager and tour manager and his righthand man. He wasn't there yet, but we told them who we were and what we were doing. They asked for records and T-shirts. They gave us tickets to the show. They made sure we had a great time and got to meet him. Unfortunately, I stepped out for a cigarette and I literally just missed him. My other friends got to meet him. But I play a Martin [guitar] just like his and I did get that signed. One of the guys had it with him.


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Zach

Mike Hale! This guy is seriously my favorite artists. I listen to his solo stuff and Gunmoll and In the Red. I saw him open for Bad Astronaut in LA and he was amazing, but i would really like to see him headlining sometime.

November 24 2010 at 6:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply