Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Joey Miceli
THE RELEASE
Joey Miceli’s trek to success has been nothing short of extraordinary which has been spanning over a decade. It all began when he stepped foot into the music industry at the age of nine. Coming from Las Vegas this talented singer songwriter has made a name for himself with his heartfelt dedication. With his releases, Joey has gained followers and airtime on radio stations worldwide. He has graced stages such as the Staples Center, T Mobile Arena, MGM Grand, Whisky a Go Go, The Virgil, Los Globos, Berlin under A, Bowery Electric, Kraine Theater and House of Blues among others. As a songwriter Joey Miceli’s honest and meticulous approach captivates his audience by encouraging them to find strength in vulnerability and embrace the power of self expression.
Joey Miceli’s single titled "String of Pearls " reveals a masterpiece that is truly alluring and stands as one of his most compelling works to date. Through a blend of vocal artistry Miceli explores the profound theme of extending forgiveness to those who have caused us harm. The lyrics convey a philosophy as he reflects "I chose to embrace the part of myself putting an end to the destructive chemistry we shared / You had me enticed by your ways / I accepted you with all your flaws." Miceli briefly departs from his signature soaring vocals to guide us gently through the silver lining of a significant relationship. In verses he shares, "When thoughts of you cross my mind I'll remember your laughter / Your smile reminds me that you're not cruel but simply adapting." Ultimately "String of Pearls" emerges as a poignant exploration of resilience and discovering beauty in the aftermath of turbulence.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Definitely Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Michael Jackson, and Robyn. I think in the last few years, I’ve dedicated a lot of time to studying the people I look up to and learning about their trajectory and the motif’s they have had throughout their careers. Because of this, I’ve never cared more about what I have to say and how I choose to say it. In some ways I worry that I’m giving into my anxiety around feeling worthy of people’s attention, but in others I feel I’ve actually just trained my brain to be less impulsive. I think that’s what each of these people possess masterfully. The ability to be impulsive once they have earned it, whether it was through discipline or letting the right idea fall in their lap.
Were there any specific challenges or breakthrough moments during the production of your new single that had a significant impact on its final form?
When I first heard the guitar lick from RRAREBEAR, it reminded me of how I felt the first time I heard the beginning of Landslide when I was a kid. I don’t know what it was, but it was a pretty instantaneous write. I finished it that same day and intended it to be the last song on my next record, until another song replaced it. Then I never really came back to it until recently and thought it would be special to put out for my 24th birthday. I think it encapsulated a bit of how I felt throughout this year.
Can you share insights into the collaborative process behind the creation of your latest single, including any notable contributions from producers, co-writers, engineers or featured artists?
This song had been written for months, but we didn’t end up recording it until this fall. RRAREBEAR had done the production and my best friend, Santino Cardinale, engineered, mixed, and mastered it. It was very interesting to finally cut vocals for it because it had lived as a demo for a long time. But in terms of collaboration, it was a very intimate and brief process, which I usually prefer anyway.
Can you articulate the impact or impression you hope your new song leaves on listeners long after they've experienced it for the first time?
It’s been sick to see how people interpret what the song is about. Some have said it reminds them of a past relationship, others with friendships, and I hoped that would be the case. I wrote it centering around the idea that most times a failed friendship feels so much more tragic than a failed relationship. I’ve lost a lot of dear friends to distance and discourse in the last few years and I wanted String of Pearls to be the personification of the love I felt for our shared joy in our time together. Sometimes friendships can’t make it out of a certain environment, and that’s okay. Though it’s very sad, it’s okay.
Looking ahead, how does the release of this single pave the way for future projects, and are there any hints or clues about the direction your music might take in the coming months?
This song felt like a little piece of my history and growth so I figured putting it out before the new year would be the right choice. We have lots of new stuff coming next year and it’s really all over the place. Next year will be all about experimenting and almost radicalizing who I am as an artist. In some ways, I feel I’m returning to a genesis. I am so excited and I don’t think any of my listeners are going to expect what we’ve made. It’s really really special.
KEEP UP WITH JOEY MICELI BELOW:
