Android Automatic is the 80's inspired, modern synthwave recording project of Detroit musician Michael Gene. Android Automatic has released a ton of great music over the years including the new single "Arcade Days", a smooth and shimmery electro-dance track. Michael was kind enough to talk to us about his past playing in indie bands, his influences, making music in the modern wold, and what the future might hold for Android Automatic and art in general. Enjoy!
ANDROID AUTOMATIC
Android Automatic: Thanks for taking the time to chat with me! My name is Michael, and I am the creative mind behind the 80s-inspired, synth project, Android Automatic. I started Android back in ’09, as a way to get my emotions out in a creative way. I played in several indie rock bands for years, including playing guitar in a Detroit band by the name of Call It In The Air. After CIITA disbanded, I went on hiatus from music for several years, before starting Android Automatic in 2009. I tried to do the band thing after getting back into music, but things just weren’t the same and not working out, so I decided to go solo and moved from rock and roll to electronic music and started Android Automatic. The project is about to turn eleven years old in March, and it is still a big part of my everyday life.
Remove Records: What are some of your influences?
Android Automatic: My influences range from classic rock, to electronic, to metal. As far as influence on the music I write for Android Automatic, some influences include music from ‘80s TV shows and movies, to bands such as Huey Lewis. The two biggest influences on Android Automatic would have to be Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, a synth duo originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and another synth artist by the name of Anoraak. When I am not working on Android Automatic, I listen to artists such as Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Daughters, Idles, Archers of Loaf, and some metal acts like Mastodon and Ghost.
Remove Records: What are some of your favorite venues?
Android Automatic: I haven’t played a show in forever, mostly because Android Automatic is a studio-based only project. When I used to play in indie/emo bands in the ‘90s/’00s, Call It In The Air played the Magic Stick in Detroit a lot, and we had a great time playing with bands like The Promise Ring and Compound Red. Another great place to play was the Fireside Bowl in Chicago. Zoot’s in Detroit, back in the day, was another venue that was super fun to play as well. The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor was always fun too. I remember playing a show with a band by the name of Commander Venus, before those members became the bands The Faint and Bright Eyes. Connor was a super cool 16-year-old kid and was so happy to be on tour that summer. Our bands hit it off really well!
Remove Records: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in music?
Android Automatic: The music business is full of ups-and-downs, it’s a wild ride. First and foremost, create your art because you love it, and then let the rest fall into place. Make music that makes you happy and have a blast doing it. Sometimes it takes years before people start to notice. Be patient, work hard and sculpt your sound. The landscape of music business in the 21st century is a tough one to navigate, so patience is key.
Remove Records: What messages or themes are you trying to convey through your music?
Android Automatic: Even though my music is ‘80s-influenced, I don’t like to include the typical tropes found within the genre. For example, I try to add a modern sound to my music, typically with the drums. There are plenty of artists in the synth genre who are trying to sound as ‘80s as possible, even more so than the actual ‘80s were. That’s cool and all, but that is not me. I am trying to convey an emotional message that is dripped in melancholy with a dash of optimism through a modern sound.
Remove Records: What are you working on next?
Android Automatic: I just released a single called “Arcade Days.” I will be working on a new release over the next year, and I have a few songs that will be featured in a couple of documentaries and TV shows in 2020.
Remove Records: How do you feel about the future of music/art?
Android Automatic: I feel great about it! Art is something that will always be in existence and expanded upon, regardless of medium. Humans are creative creatures, and as long as messages need to be conveyed, new, creative outlets will be born and re-born to express these messages.