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Having firmly cemented his name into the books of dance music history, Tyler’s signature New School style & technique lends an innovative, unique, and revitalizing character to what has now become a generic and saturated music industry in the new and uneasy era of illegal internet downloading & digitally released music.

In an age where most underground artists and songs have quickly become an unprofitable, free-of-charge, and low-demand commodity, Tyler’s persistence and talent in overcoming these music scene norms has quickly led him to production and remix work for some of the industry’s most highly respected DJ’s, such as Grammy-nominated artist Paul Van Dyk who has recently hailed Tyler as “One of the best Producer-DJ’s of the next generation”, and the “Worlds most under-rated DJ”, as quoted in the prestigious ‘DJ Magazine’. These days the possibilities seem endless as Tyler begins to dive into new projects such as video games, movies, & commercial music production & licensing with corporate companies such as Monster Energy Drink, Armani, & Universal.

All the right pieces are in place, and 2010 will surely be an impressive and fun-filled year for Tyler Michaud, as well as the dedicated fans & lovers of his intense, next-generation, genre-defying electronic music sound.

BEATSMEDIA INTERVIEWS TYLER MICHAUD JULY 2010

• Beatsmedia:
  Hi Tyler, nice to catch up with you today, hows things going?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Yo! Things are going great, can’t complain. Got a ton of work done this week in the studio. My days and nights are filled with musical madness and trippy beats as I focus hard on trying to produce my best work yet. A remix of the classic “For An Angel” track from Paul Van Dyk. Just taking a moment to breathe and relax, and chat here with you Rachel.

• Beatsmedia:
  What age do you feel your passion for music began, name the artists you admired, and what styles of music intrigued you most throughout your youth?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Hmm, it might just have been straight out of the womb I think!  I remember dancing to 70 and 80’s rock records with my parents in the living room at the age of 4 or 5. Led Zeppelin & ACDC baby. But in all honesty, it was probably when I got my hands on my first string of CD’s from the late 90’s / early 2000 Industrial Metal movement.

  My first 2 purchased CD’s EVER were Nine Inch Nails – ‘The Downward Spiral’, & Marilyn Manson – ‘Mechanical Animals’. Talk about setting the bar pretty fucking high. I was absolutely hooked from there, thinking of my own counter melodies and guitar riffs in my head while listening to the tracks. I knew I wanted to be like them and make music. There was something astonishingly electronic, synthesizer born, fresh & innovative about this genre of music. Listening to music from then on became a constant activity and I had never felt this type of mental state or journey from anything else in life…Oh, and talk about an early indoctrination into some brutal subject matter, NIN & Marilyn Manson at the age of 9, [laughs].

  Eventually around 13 I started getting into trance Music from none other than the 4 DJ’s who would evolve to be the super-famous cultural & musical icons that they are today, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, & Paul Oakenfold. I KNEW I had to be a DJ/Producer. From there, I hooked up with a few like minds and started screwing around with production and mixing records with Fruity Loops and a couple turntables, appropriately titling my first 4 fully produced tracks ‘The Worst Song You’ll Ever Hear’ parts 1-4.

• Beatsmedia:
  How did your parents feel about your chosen career move, were they in full support?

• Tyler Michaud:
  My parents have always been fully supportive of what I do. I started producing on by far the most garbage PC imaginable for a couple years as a teen, and when they saw what I was doing with music and business -and never being musically trained in any way shape or form I’ll add- they purchased me a pricey Mac G5 and copy of Logic Pro 7 as a birthday gift. I was 16 at this point and it was 2005, which was also the year I released my first ever record on Armada Music under Armin Van Buuren’s famed personal-label, ‘ArminD’. The track was called ‘Interstate – Remember Me (Shawn Mitiska & Tyler Michaud Remix), from there it set the bar very high and my connections and further networking with industry professionals started to develop. Talk about a motivation and confidence booster.

  I’ve never had a ‘real-job’, before this I was scrounging around the internet selling peoples ebay items for them and making money competing in video games like Diablo2. I never really considered myself a nerd in my teenage days, or hung around nerds. But, I guess now looking back, I attribute my success to full-computer-nerdism. In small town USA there was simply nothing else to do. But anyways, being a Producer/Composer is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I literally dropped out of high-school at age 16, after delivering my mother a well-written 4-page letter of why the poor school system and the content being taught to me was a waste of my time. It convinced her to sign the drop-out papers.I would be assigned to write countless essays in high school, and when I would write them they would always divert into a rant of my own about why it was pointless for us to all be there rotting under some roof with a teacher who made the lesson as interesting as a game of Olympic curling. Being literally forced into indoctrination with content and literature that I would never use in life was killing me inside. But, somehow these essays would surprisingly all come back graded as A papers 90% or above. At that point I learned I could bend and break the rules of the ‘system’, I didn’t want to have some shitty life, a job I hated, and forever think “would’ve should’ve could’ve”, so I decided to take a gamble and follow my dream.

  I’ve always had a bit of a natural knack for writing of any kind, and my parents really believed in my goals and where I was going. So they allowed all of this to happen and I have blossomed into the weirdo I am today. I thank them constantly for being so supportive and I encourage anyone out there to follow their dreams.

• Beatsmedia:
  In your own words describe how music makes you feel, and furthermore where the inspiration comes from when producing your own material?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Music feels like no high that can ever be compared to any drug or other experience. It is a lifestyle, a feeling, a state of mind, and a reflection into ones-self. Nothing can evoke the feelings that a piece of well composed music will. It is the start to my day, the end to my day, and everything in between. It is a true love affair that always gives back and a friend that never lets you down. Inspiration can come from anything… From a vacation, a great experience, a boring rainy day, a break-up, an angry-i-wanna-kill-something occasion where nothing goes your way, or the best day ever, really anything. I seem to thrive best either when I’m on top of the world confident and things are going well in life, or when I’m down in a depressive gutter and feeling worthless. Those extremes supply a good contrast of emotion in my tracks, from the aggressive razor sharp basslines, to the euphoric suspenseful melodies. I also get a ton of inspiration from comedy, George Carlin & Howard Stern are 2 of my idols.

PRODUCTION & METHODS

• Beatsmedia:
  Is there a particular track you have produced that you have a strong emotional attachment to?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Hmmm… I have to say there’s definitely a few. One that comes to mind is my track entitled ‘The Republic’ which came out in January 2010 on Vandit Records… I remember the exact moment of producing that one, and smiling to myself in awe saying “wow, I am glad to be alive, and I cannot believe I have made it this far with production and music”. From nothing, to something. It was truly a life-changing occasion to know I had made it to that level of ability.Another one would be my track with the crazy Russian’s, the now well-known producers by the name of “Moonbeam”. Our track we produced together (Moonbeam & Tyler Michaud ft. Fisher – Love Never Dies) will always and forever be a fan/family personal favourite. It was the first time I ever made a vocal track of polished high professional quality, with a well-respected vocalist, and it really gave me the confidence to bring things to the next level and continue on the right path.

• Beatsmedia:
  In addition to the above question a lot of artists find that when things get tough in life, they’re remedy is head down and working through that issue within their music, (which becomes a healing process for them) the emotion and production merges and in turn, those productions become massive hits. When do you feel you produce your best work, and do you feel your emotions play a big part in creating bigger hits too?

• Tyler Michaud:
  I’m always head-down and working through anyways, so this doesn’t apply to me 100%. But I will say that it’s always good to take a bit of a break to put your life in perspective and get a bit of a reality check if things are going horribly wrong. Working through can sometimes be a way of escaping problems, not unlike self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, and the goal is to remain mentally healthy enough to keep inspired and producing -or living- another day.Though that’s not to say that writing a track during one of these times is a bad thing, writing of any kind can certainly be very empowering once you clarify what’s going on in your shattered world and messed-up head. In this situation I find poetry to be the best way, rather than with music.And I’ll say, my “best” work is very subjective, even to myself, so I really can’t answer that question. But I will say that I think I have the ability to make good tracks in any mood, and composing in a traumatizing situation has certainly yielded some emotional and quality results.

• Beatsmedia:
  How do you prepare yourself before producing, do you have a special ritual to get you in the mood?

• Tyler Michaud:
  I usually like to listen to some of my favourite tracks from other artists repertoire for about an hour or so, get a nice cup of black-tea, and get pumped up to make something big. But don’t get too pumped, you don’t want to blow your wad listening to other peoples tracks; this is just to ease into the mood remember.

• Beatsmedia:
  Tell us about your studio equipment, how long did it take you to gather everything and what would you say is your most used or loved piece of equipment?

• Tyler Michaud:
  My studio is always a work in progress. But I will say I am ALL digital other than a few sexy PCI cards from the geniuses behind the ‘Access Virus’ synthesizer line. No longer in the age of digital do you need a 100 channel mixing board that costs 100g’s and is the size of a small village. Right now I’m running 2 Mac-Pro’s, a few big HD monitors, and a 61 Keyboard Midi controller. And of course the best VST’s & AU’s money can buy. If you’re looking for good stuff, check out the soft-synths from East West Quantum Leap, Spectrasonics, Native Instruments or just the plain Logic Pro stock synthesizers. That is by far enough to get you started, and practically all I use to this day. Don’t obsess with the size of your kit early, it’s all about learning to rock what you use.I could never narrow my favourite down to one synthesizer, but I’ll say everything from Native Instruments is the most frequently used in my studio. Oh, and I’ve recently added a couple guitars. Michaud-Rock-2011

• Beatsmedia:
  ‘Be true to yourself, Stay unique and have ample amounts of patience’ In a previous interview an artist gave this advice for all upcoming producers. Would you like to offer a few words of wisdom?

• Tyler Michaud:
  I couldn’t say it any better. Be unique, no one who ever makes the same-old-shit style will break it big on a wide level, not in this era, music is way too competitive now. Don’t hit the studio to produce ‘styles’ or ‘genres’, those are by far the most boring and ass-dragging tracks to make. Instead go in there to make something unique, fresh, and interesting. If you continue to make killer stuff, I assure you, it will not go unnoticed. If you’re looking to produce for the fame or to be the next Kanye West, just do yourself and the world a favor, book a flight to san fransisco, and go jump off the golden gate bridge.

DOWNTIME

• Beatsmedia:
  Where can we find you relaxing, any special places you like to visit?

• Tyler Michaud:
  I don’t do much relaxing lately, but most of it consists of lying in my couch or bed and watching an interesting film, or chatting to people over txt or messenger on my macbook. For me the gym is always a place of inspiration. Clear your mind, and push yourself to the limit physically. When you get back to the studio, production seems easy. Boring, I know.

• Beatsmedia:
  I’ve noticed via Facebook you write a lot of poetry is that something you enjoy doing in your spare time, an on-going hobby maybe?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Definitely an on-going hobby, and something I would really like to continue to explore perhaps in lyrical/song form eventually.. But poetry for me is not like music, so far all of it has come from my darkest depressing situations of reflection.

• Beatsmedia:
  Do you cook, if so what is your speciality dish?

• Tyler Michaud:
  I’m totally lazy in this department; I employ a team of top calibre hollywood chef’s to service me around the clock. I pay them in useless counterfeited currency and crystal methamphetamines. No, in all honesty, I’m totally addicted to healthy stuff now, grilled chicken, steaks, salads, sandwiches. Ive been totally neurotic about keeping a good diet lately, and I’ve noticed some serious mental and physical changes that I’m very happy with. And I’ll always have a sick love affair with buffalo chicken, but it’s definitely a give and take relationship, a day full of steamy lust, and a night full of ferocious heartburn.

• Beatsmedia:
  If you could choose one location that best describes your personality, where would that be?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Hmm.. Best location, I’m not exactly the most well travelled DJ yet, so for now, I’d have to say Hollywood, at a sick rock concert or something of that nature. I had the opportunity to hang around there when I flew out for 2 days a few months ago. I witnessed Nine Inch Nails “last ever” live show, and partied up and down Wilshire boulevard for the first time. Never have I seen people so free, and anything goes. Truly liberated. I guess I’ll be in for a treat when I finally head over to Ibiza.

• Beatsmedia:
  3 things you couldn’t leave the house without?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Cash, music, and my brain.

UPCOMING & SPECIAL

• Beatsmedia:
  Tyler Michaud seems to have his ‘finger in all the pies at present’ e.g.: You run your own label, have a new artist album coming up, not to mention plans to release lot of new material on all major player labels. Can you shed more light, tell us about your label, share the gossip on the new album, and upcoming Tyler releases?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Yes yes, lots going on always. I just launched the ‘New School Recordings’ label only last November, in 2009. And since then, we’ve had a great start and we’re just coming up on our 20th release which will be a special remix edit of the track that started the brand, ‘Moonbeam ft. Blackfeel Wite – First Night’. Since launch we have gone on to sign many great up and coming electronic producers, as well as a few select ‘well-knowns’. Electronic music is a global genre, and I like to do my best to try and represent and sign artists from each region around the world. Time will tell how the brand goes, but I will promise to do my best to continue to keep things cutting edge, and keep the A&R work in the hands of me, myself and I. I have seen labels crippled from the lack of creativity of record label A&R’s, willing to sign only the style that’s floating around the top 10 charts. A&R’s always have to be great business men, this is a job, but the ones that expect you to make formulaic tracks and have a career of longevity are one-dimensional people and truly have no soul or support for an artists creativity and vision. Luckily I’ve chosen to surround myself around ones that are great and supportive.

  I really cannot say too much about the artist album yet, it is still in its infancy though I’ll admit the planning has been underway since early 2008! It will be appropriately titled ‘There’s No Cure For Life’, and will be a complete mind-fuck of genre’s and track names corresponding to human emotions, mostly the darker ones, I may decide to include some of the aforementioned poetry to correspond with each track, If I can in fact seal the deal on a deluxe version of the album. Expect only the best, most unique content I’ve put out to date for this album, and some very interesting collaborations with reputable names outside of the trance/house scene. Unlike most electronic artists, I view this as the most important project I can under-go, a true journey, and not just a way of putting together a slew of attempted formulaic hit tracks and fillers - usually turning into utter failures- I will put my all into this and it may just end up killing me, or at very least end any choice for a social life outside of work/the music industry -which I’m noticing has already begun to shrink- I have an extreme passion for what I do and if I deliver anything less than I am truly capable of I will consider the album forever an utter failure and will not be able to live with myself.

  New Tyler Michaud releases and collaborations will be continuing to come out on Paul Van Dyk’s Vandit Records - now merging with Armada- as well as the Dutch labels Black Hole Recordings & High Contrast this year. This year I have made the decision to choose Vandit as my main avenue of release for productions, and you can expect my best material to come out there. Vandit & Paul Van Dyk have always been very supportive and have given me great PR opportunities, as well as allowed me my full creativity and artistic vision. So this choice comes as a no-brainer, and a choice of my own. I am still not an exclusive artist to anyone, and I hope I never will be.

• Beatsmedia:
  We’ve all heard your take on the brand new ‘Fei-Fei feat. Molly Jenson – Twilight’ track – awesome stuff might I add – can you tell us how this remix came about and furthermore what you think about the new FEIDED label, are you planning on becoming FEIDED again any time soon?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Thanks. That track was a blast to produce. It’s one of those where you just sit down in the studio, go with the flow, and start experimenting, and great things happen. As you can probably tell, it’s totally dark, glitchy, and industrial inspired. Undoubtedly from a heavy month of listening to Industrial Metal. As for your second question, I guess that’s something for Fei Fei to answer.

• Beatsmedia:
  Where can everyone catch up on everything ‘Tyler Michaud’?

• Tyler Michaud:
  http://www.tylermichaud.com | www.newschoolrecordings.com I will also be launching a brand new website soon, which will contain a remixing section where you can download some of the individual instrument parts from my tracks, and send me your stuff!

• Beatsmedia:
  And lastly, care to share a special message to those supportive fans, friends and close companions?

• Tyler Michaud:
  Thanks for your support and constant kind feedback. In this world we are all very alone up their in our own heads, despite having friends, family, jobs, lives etc; we are still all very alone. But when I hear the love from you guys about my music, for me, it is the best sign of accomplishment and approval that I desperately need and will always forever seek.

• Beatsmedia:
  It’s been lovely speaking with you today Tyler, I know I can speak on behalf of everyone via Beatsmedia when I say ‘We wish you all the very best in 2010, and further’.

• Tyler Michaud: Thank you.

Links of Interest

www.tylermichaud.com
www.facebook.com/djtylermichaud
www.twitter.com/djtylermichaud
www.newschoolrecordings.com

Download Tyler’s latest Vandit mix HERE

Posted in: Featured, Interviews | Posted on July 18, 2010 by Beatsmedia