Michael Pinder‘s latest single “Soar,” is about the frustrating, sad, yet beauty of life. Pinder sings about these things in “Soar” with detailed perspective, longing, hope, and grace. His acoustic guitar helps amplify the mood of the song, with a backing band to round things out. Michael’s composition for the song and the band is an indelible movement in the song’s structure and what it’s conveying. Much of Michael’s music is thought-provoking and sentimental, honest, and insightful.
The music video for “Soar,” directed by Rob Fitzgerald, shows Michael in California (his native state), and while he narrates the video, the protagonist is played by a young woman in which the video captures the build-up to her own confidence. Her past is laid out on heavy display in the form of a toy deer, an umbrella, a raincoat, and a scribbled love note. Each shot portrays her self-growth and shows her ability to be able to detach herself way from the things that kept her from becoming who she’s meant to be.
We spoke with Michael about “Soar,” and what the song personally means to him, the experiences he draws from for writing and recording his music, and what music means to him.
I really enjoy listening to “Soar”; Can you share the story behind it, and what it personally means to you?
Michael Pinder: Thanks so much. The music video for the song has sort of become a journey of empowerment, which is how I envision the song. At its core, it’s a song about letting go of the past and understanding our psychological and emotional patterns; recognizing that certain trends persist in our lives stemming back from when we were kids playing with plastic action figures and dolls in the yard. I guess you could say that it’s sort of about stepping into your life and not being pulled too strongly by our tendency to cling to the past.
Your music is pensive and relatable to life. What experiences do you draw on to write and record your music?
Michael: In my early songs, experiences like first love or first heartbreak really kickstarted my songwriting and took it to a new level. Things that happen can trigger us to dig deeper, I think. I found myself writing what I thought were very good songs at the time, but not wanting to have to write them. It was this beauty in the ambiguity that allowed me to embrace the forlorn yet also look for a way through it. I don’t mean to be too general here; in other words, it’s as if my crayon set of colors had increased and the colors that part of me wanted to avoid showed me something amazing.
When I was in college, I would sometimes write about something that I saw happening around me with students that I knew. Traveling can spark something as well and it’s true that new experiences can really spark creativity.
The music video for “Soar” captures you in your native California, which is an integral piece of the video. Was that intentional?
Michael: No, it was just what evolved! I’m so glad that it all looked cohesive, but a lot of it came together in the final stages.
The young woman’s journey is portrayed so well in the video. Was that concept your idea, or both yours and director Rob Fitzgerald?
Michael: It was a collaboration between us. Rob is very creative and has a flexibility which is great. He has a knack for coming up with ideas and adapting them as well. Appreciating the ideas offered and coming up with complimentary ideas or a way to heighten the existing idea. It was a well-balanced collaboration.
Let’s go back to your beginning with music. When did you know you wanted to sing and play guitar?
Michael: I started playing guitar when I was about 12 1/2… 13. I played piano and made little musical compositions on the computer and with friends before that, but things really took off when I got into the guitar.
Music speaks to everyone differently. How does it speak to you?
Michael: There is a lot that I could say about that… Not sure where to start! I’d have to think on
that for a bit. I’d say that music to me is like the ecosystems of the planet… so many possibilities, so many variations. It has within it the harmonic codes (sort of like DNA codes) for our understanding (the growth of human beings) and makes the world a better place. There may be a better way to say this and I would definitely need to think on it for a while. Music has the capacity to help us to go deeper and not just stay in the habitat of our own thinking.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite?
Michael: Loved seeing Paul McCartney live. Ah, fun memories! I think that my first may have been Brian Adams.
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Michael: I’m not sure. My brother and I had a lot of cassettes given to us by our Dad to listen to
when we were growing up…that’s a good question. I may have to try to figure that out!
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Michael: Now that is something that I would have to deliberate over for a while to make the selections. Some Beatles, James Taylor, Mozart, Donald Fagen, and my Dad’s songs would definitely be in the mix.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Michael: Guilty of liking books of all types…I think great writing can even be in a children’s
story/off the beaten path.
What are you currently listening to, reading and/or watching?
Michael: Have been preparing the way for more recreational time here/more time for listening exploration or to listen to some of my favs. I’ve got a list of books that I’m on the cusp of getting to. Clearing space and finding a balance. Have been writing and working on new tracks right now…using all of these “colors” I’ve discovered to create.
