Mike Posner Interview: SXSW 2010

Growing up in Michigan was musically enriching for Mike Posner. "It's so diverse, so musically diverse. I grew up riding the school bus, listening to Wu-Tang Clan and Led Z. I played drums by fourth grade. By age 13, I convinced my parents to get a tiny keyboard. Through my teens, I made my own beats and produced music." Now signed with RCA/Sony Music Label J, Mike Posner chats with Spinner (before heading to SXSW) about preferably performing at College towns and "tip-toeing up to long-time (secret crush) Alicia Keys' love." This is music to crush by!

How did you get started?

I started playing the drums when I was in fourth grade. Growing up in the diversity of Michigan, I was always surrounded by music. By the time I was 13, I convinced my parents to get this little keyboard. I started producing beats for the next seven or eight years. Then I realized that I should experiment with some of the ideas I was giving away to other people.

Where do you like to play?

I like to play everywhere, because every place is different. One of the wildest places ever is the University of New Hampshire. That was surprising. I also played at Dartmouth College last fall, around the time I released my second album. There was a radius clause -- like you can't perform again within a certain period after the appearance -- and I played immediately at an after-party. I knew I was going to get in trouble, but I didn't really care. It was such a great time. I love to play in the Midwest. When people think of the Midwest, they don't realize how wild it is there. All seven cities I've played in Ohio, Indiana, oh at Purdue, Chicago, Kentucky, Missouri -- these are some wild crowds. At Duke, where it all started for me, it is always wild and crazy. I always love to play there. Friends at Duke told other friends about my music and that is really how it all started for me.

How would you describe your sound?

Authentic pop music to be enjoyed without guilt. Pop music that's not corny. (In 'Speed of Sound,' Posner sings about deep loneliness in this technological age: "There's a hundred million people inside my phone but I still got no one to call.")

What are your musical influences?

Michigan was such a blessing for me. I grew up riding the school bus, listening to Wu-Tang Clan and Led Zeppelin. Paul Simon has always inspired me, and J Dilla, Marvin Gaye, Vandross and Sting have influenced me.

What's in your festival survival kit?

I travel extremely light. I always bring my ATC-40 (because I don't use a DJ and this little machine controls my music), microphone, two laptops, tiny mini-keyboard -- basically, I have a mini studio that I can set up in my room. Before, when I was parked in hotel rooms for six, seven, eight hours at a time, there was really nothing to do. I hate to waste time, it is one of my great[est] concerns. I'm chronophobic. I'm always thinking about songs I want to write, so having a place to make music anywhere is great for me.

Do you get into any mischief when you're on tour? Do you have any vices?

It seems that I always surprise people I'm traveling with. When people say "We'll expect you at 6:30AM" I always show up a few minutes early. I'm always on time. I'm punctual. Why is it that musicians are supposed to be lazy or late? I don't know. That's a cliche and not the way I am. When I travel, I am always close to the hotel, usually working on music. I don't have a party lifestyle at all, and I stay out of trouble when I'm on the road.

Beatles or Stones?

Definitely the Beatles. Blame that on my parents. We actually like the Stones, but I grew up more with Beatles music.

Did you have a first celebrity crush?

Alicia Keys. In fact, truth be told, she is still one of my crushes. She's actually on my label -- so I could meet her now -- but I don't want to meet her yet. I'm sure I will run into her when the time is right. And I'm tip-toeing up to her love!

What was your scariest/ craziest/ creepiest experience while on tour?

In Kentucky last year, where one of my appearances was pre-sold out, I arrived to get ready and noticed the venue was taking a super long time to let kids inside. It was freezing outside, and some of them were waiting two or three hours. I was very distressed and started yelling at people to let them in. Finally, some of the kids got tired of waiting to get invited in, and they broke the doors down. That was scary, I guess in a good way maybe. I was terrified that someone was going to freeze to death.

What's next?

After SXSW I head off to the Bamboozle [music festivals]. Then I am heading out with Warp Tour on June 24th. We're touring 42 cities across the country, and I'm going in the company of bands that are so much different than me. I'm releasing a new album in late summer -- the name is TBD, untitled -- and I am putting finishing touches on it right now. I believe it is so much better than anything music[ally] I've put forward thus far. I think everyone will love it.


Donna Rodgers is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.