Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Michael.
Justin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Justin Michael. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1999, and moved to Houston, Texas, just before I turned two. I started off first indulging in music by always walking around the house, singing my favorite songs since I was about six years old. My parents would listen to a variety of genres of music from rock, pop, r&b, hip-hop, and jazz so I was never really influenced by just one thing. Artists that I really picked up on ranged from Michael Jackson, Prince, Lil Wayne, Drake, Owl City, Linkin Park, and Three Days Grace. When it came to recording music, I had worked with an artist developer and vocal coach at the time and proceeded with making covers to hit songs and uploading the videos to YouTube back in 2016.
At the same time, I would begin to start teaching myself how to write songs and begin finding my voice in music. Eventually, I came to terms that I definitely did not want to be a cover artist, let alone create any more cover videos further and set out on working on my own music full-time. In 2017, I would put out my first written song on Soundcloud, which got over 3,000+ plays in its first month. I’d then be inspired to release another song a few months later as I was still in high school at the time and it was hard for me to find time to focus on my craft, which slowed down my productivity. Just before I graduated from William B. Travis HS, I released a 12 song project called “Feel Something”(2018), which was a poorly mixed combination of songs from different genres that stemmed from my emotions I was going through during that time but gave me my purpose in what I wanted to do with music allowing others to relate and connect to my art; and that’s when I knew I took it seriously.
After its release gained attention locally from neighboring schools and peers, I knew I was on to something. I went into a hiatus to focus on my sound and taking my talent to the next level. I would record hundreds of songs in my room and collaborate with artists in and out of state during the time and finally start releasing again more than ready and driven in the year of 2020.
Has it been a smooth road?
When it came to pursuing my goals in music, it wasn’t always easy, considering there were definitely times where I doubted myself or my ability to be great at what I do. Which led to many months and periods of time that led to depression but the only thing I found myself having was really the music all in all so it was my therapy at the same time, honestly and really what pushed me out of those dark times. Along with being diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic in early 2019, and that shifted the course of my life on an entirely different spectrum, as I would have to learn to pay attention to my health more than ever along with changing my lifestyle entirely as a result.
At a point, it made me feel that music just wouldn’t be possible to pursue at least not on the level I was aiming to reach, limited by something that I essentially had no control over. But I didn’t let it stop me. I had returned home from finishing my first year at college to get a grip on my medical issues whilst honing in on my sound and where I was taking it at the same time. It was a lot of pressure on me and still is as it’s something that I can’t escape but am forced to deal with, but I take it day by day regardless of the challenges I face now and those that will come in the future.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am an Actor and Musician. My day to day focus is typical with the music itself as that requires more consistent and detailed attention. My main goal with music is to not let myself be boxed in or have myself put into just one category because I love to make different types of genres of music as well as blending the elements of others together, essentially experimenting but making it my own and unique. I pride myself in my efforts of not limiting myself to wherever my creativity can take me into whatever it is I do.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
When it comes to the city of Houston, I love the diversity and the amount of great people that reside here itself. There’s a blend of cultures everywhere you look and I honestly don’t think there is anywhere else like it. It’s something about the combination of these different cultures that adds into the overall mindset of like-minded creatives within the area that I think really helps inspire them as well at least from my perspective. As far as the downside of things, I think Houston deserves more attention or should more of an effort to pull attention to the talent within the city so that they can be brought to light from musicians, to designers, creative directors, photographers, and artists, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.justinmchl.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/justinmchl
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/justinmchl
- Other: smarturl.it/safehousejustinmchl
Image Credit:
Micah Shaun
Myles Smith
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