MR.KITO Interview

MR.KITO is currently in studio busy recording a new album due for release before the end of the year.

What is your name?  My name is Eric Michot

Where are you from?   I was born in France and emigrated to South Africa some years back.

How long have you been making music?   Music has pretty much always been part of my life. My late father was a rather skilled guitar player amongst other things so I was exposed to the art of music from an early age. Later as a teenager, it became a personal interest. I collected vinyls, explored all kinds of musical genres, and learned to play guitar, bass and drums.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?   7 albums and 1 EP have been released to date, Currently in Studio busy recording a new and 8th album “The Darkest Alleys”

Can you tell us about your upcoming release and the background and inspirations behind it?   My music is about self discovery, enabling me to appreciate deeply that I am more than what I think I am (and so is everyone else for that matter). I grow through the act of creating music as a person and an artist! In the past, I would center myself, get into “the creative zone”, press record and see what happen. I was without much direction or intent; music just seemed to flow through me. Presently the process of creation is different. I am now at a point where my commitment in honoring “the State of Presence” through music is always on and consciously channeled. I feel that I consciously serve the Cause I am committed to in reverence of Acceptance and Awareness.

How have you ended up in the music industry?   At 18, I played rhythm guitar in a rock band in France. I took on the bass when our bassist resigned just before a small European tour and loved it! Since then I have never looked back and kept the bass guitar as my main instrument when playing for bands. My diverse musical abilities give me great deal of freedom. I am responsible for all instrumentations in MR KITO’s albums – guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, percussion and so forth. As well as singing all the parts. In addition to this, I produce my own tracks. This breadth of engagement means I have access to a broad spectrum of creativity and skills. I consider myself as versatile; being able to complete and enjoy the various musical tasks is a reward on itself. Adding to this mix is also the fact that I manage my own record label “Presence Records”. This affords greater personal control of the marketing aspect as well.

What do you think of the music industry in 2015?   The music industry is what it is, I am sure there are as many interpretations of it as there are musicians… My current experience is that not having a live act might represent a limitation and at the same time, making a living touring is very demanding too especially as independent musician. So what to do?

Who do you think the most influential artist?   Everything I ever heard influences my work, my taste, how I interpret and perceive music to be as a whole – consciously and unconsciously. Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Serge Gainsbourg and The Velvet Underground are a few of my musical influences. Life influences include many spiritual teachers who have walked this earth and their teachings. They have undoubtedly formed a solid foundation in my perception of what is real. I have also been influenced by modern day thinkers such as Eckhart Tolle, Maxwell Maltz and Napoleon Hill to name a few!

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?   I haven’t collaborated with anyone yet.

Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?   It is safe to say that the influential artists listed above would be humbly and certainly considered for a collaboration…

What was the first album you bought?   I think it was AC/DC “Back in Black”

What’s your favorite song at the moment? I am re-exploring “In Rainbows” from Radiohead at the moment and I am very found of the last song of the album called “Videotape”

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?   Jimi Hendrix “Electric Ladyland”

How do you think you differ from other artists?   I am my own individual and therefore my creations are unique to me, please consider the following. My inspiration comes from my life experience and the present moment. So how do I create music? I make myself available to what IS…that is my creative process! I believe that the ability to gain perspective on life’s events allows oneself to be free from identification, supports enjoyment and living a fulfilled life. Creativity is flowing naturally and effortlessly providing that we make ourselves available to it. Everyone has access to an ongoing and endless source of ideas. Even though our identified self would love to take credit for it, Art such as Music per example is expressed through us, for us. We are channeling and expressing something that IS already. I have come to really enjoy the process more and more as I witness the birth and materialization of an idea, shaped and transformed into sound. I absolutely love it when a song finds me…

What is your favorite saying?   To answer this question allow me to share with you MR.KITO’s purpose: “Connecting the essence of an individual with it’s human condition & finding freedom in all experience”.

What other hobbies or interests do you have?   I do not have any hobbies really. I am interested in staying fit and observing a healthy lifestyle.

Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?   As mentioned, I am busy recording a new album “The Darkest Alleys” due for release by latest November 2015. Once again we are looking at a Presence Records 2015 Release (My won record label) Licensed and Distributed by SUGO Music group Courtesy of Slapstar Records USA Here is an overview of the gear used so far: Guitar: Fender Stratocaster Bass: Warwick Drums: Ludwig, Tama, Zildjian , HHX, Sabian Keys: Novation Mics: AKG, Rode, Samson.

What’s in the pipeline after this project?   I am planning on releasing at least 1 album / EP per year. Recently started to get involved with music video production too. So we are looking at on-going MR.KITO releases.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music. Thank you very much for the opportunity & wishing you and your readers all the best!

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