Micky James Channels Nostalgia and Glamor in “Girl Talk”
Photo by Skylar Watkins
Born and raised in the shadows of Philly and NYC, Micky James naturally developed a taste for the theatrical and aspired to become a performer from a young age. In his music and personal style, James explores a sound and aesthetic that is nostalgic of a bygone era in rock-n-roll music, while still maintaining a contemporary pop ambition.
James' unique vocals are reminiscent of great character voices such as David Bowie and Julian Casablancas, alluding to the dark, mysterious and romantic qualities that are so distinct to those artists. While James’ flamboyant fashions evoke the glamor and swagger of past rock icons, his work is both equal parts style and substance. Inspired by the authentic energy of the 60's and 70's iconic rock bands, James is successful in crafting a modern and fresh approach to a timeless genre.
“I wanted to take pieces of nostalgia and give it a contemporary twist,” he says, successfully taking his vision and turning it into reality.
Photo by Skylar Watkins
[UNPUBLISHED]: Thanks for sitting down and talking to Unpublished Magazine. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar with you or your music, what inspires your creative persona and artistic style?
[MICKY]: It varies. I can take inspiration from a lot of things in the past, like a lot of 70s rock, early 80s new wave, post punk. Anything from The Rolling Stones and David Bowie and The Cure.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How would you define your sound?
[MICKY]: I always call my sound dirty pop.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Say if someone hasn’t heard of your music, which song would you show them that encapsulates your artistic growth and maturity and why?
[MICKY]: I would say one song that I would pick is “Give It To Me Straight.” It was one of the first songs that I wrote for this project, and I think musically, it captures everything that I'm about. I think the message is direct. I feel like that embodies who I am as an artist.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You just released your single “Girl Talk.” What is the inspiration behind the song?
[MICKY]: That song has been sitting around for a few years. We started writing it during the pandemic during lockdown, and it was just a fun song that me and my guitar player and our buddy Jackson wrote together. We were writing a lot of pretty heavy sentiment songs and we just wanted to make something that felt fun and free.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Why do you love this song? Is there a specific lyric, message or element that stands out to you the most?
[MICKY]: I just think it's a fun song. It's a song you don't need to pick apart too much. I think it's just like a free feeling, fun song.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Have you taken any creative risks or experimented more with “Girl Talk” since your previous releases such as “James Brown” and “New York Minute?”
[MICKY]: I think so. A few of the songs that are coming out after “Girl Talk” are definitely proof of the evolution in my sound. One of the songs is more of a ballad, and I haven't really put anything out like that yet, which I'm excited to put out. The concepts of the next two songs feel more heavier, which I've explored a little bit in the past but not as much, and I'm excited to put that out and for people to hear that other side of me as a writer.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You are currently on the road with Joe Perry of Aerosmith. How has that experience been so far?
[MICKY]: It's been amazing. Yesterday was the last show in Detroit. I actually got home last night. I'm back in Brooklyn. Definitely, I think the best shows I've played with this project. They've been amazing. The crowds were so receptive. Joe has been great. There were some really, really good shows. Detroit last night was excellent.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are some fun or memorable moments from tour that you would like to share?
[MICKY]: I think every night felt pretty amazing and experiences that I won't forget. They’re some of the biggest shows I've played as an artist. I think New York City was a really great one and a memorable one. I've always wanted to play that room at Webster Hall, being from New York and that was a pinnacle venue to play, so I can check that off the bucket list.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is your favorite song to play live and why?
[MICKY]: For the Joe Perry tour, I would say “Tie Me Up” or “Rest Of The Best.” I always like opening and closing really strongly, and I think those songs have a lot of energy. They always translate over really well live. I'd say “Rest Of The Best” is my favorite one. It feels very celebratory and it's a great time to close with.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Do you have any pre-show or post-show rituals to help ensure that you play your best show?
[MICKY]: Pre-show rituals I usually put on music and I like to stretch and dance around, just get loose and to just get into the headspace and not much post-show. I’m so exhausted afterwards and I’m laying on the ground. I like to get warmed up and stretch, as our shows are pretty energetic and I move around a lot.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What are some artists you're currently listening to right now?
[MICKY]: Wet Leg and Inhaler.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like for you that you would like to share with Unpublished?
[MICKY]: It's been great. I started putting out new singles that are coming off an EP that's coming out at the top of the summer. There's two more songs that I'm putting out before we drop the EP and then we should be on tour by this fall and playing a bunch of shows in New York City. A lot of new music is on the way which I'm very, very excited about.
[UNPUBLISHED]: I would love to hear anything you're willing to share about this upcoming project. What can listeners expect from you from this new era of music?
[MICKY]: I think listeners can expect an evolution in the sound – sonically and lyrically – the songs have been kicking around for a bit and it took me a while to finally come around to them and put them out. I just feel like it's exciting to me. I feel like there's a lot of growth in these songs and I can't wait to put them out and see people's reaction. I can't wait to grow from the songs and see what the next batch of music will be.
Photo by Skylar Watkins