http://www.mig-music.com
Miguel Ayesa is a multi talented recording
artist who has explored many different avenues
throughout his music career. MiG's commanding
vocals have landed him leading roles in West End
products, a record deal with Universal, a shot at
fronting the legendary INXS , and even performing
for Queen Elizabeth II
Can you tell us a bit about your
experience working with music industry giant
Universal Records to release your self titled
album "MiG" last year?
It has been a real roller-coaster ride, to say
the least. It started as my dream come true. All
my life I wanted to be a recording artist with a
major label. I almost gave up many years ago,
thinking my time had passed. But then suddenly I
was offered a deal by a major label in the most
major market in the world, the US market. I
couldnt believe it! However, it was a deal that
was plagued with problems from the word go. The
record was released too late to capitalize on the
momentum created from ROCKSTAR:INXS (due to INXS
taking over 6 months to sign off on the deal),
and from there the problems just spiraled. I had
my champions within my Decca label who worked
very hard for me, but unfortunately the phantoms
of the industry were against us. My greatest joy
working with Universal was actually when I had
the chance to release the record internationally.
With the exception of the South African
contingent, the Universal teams in every country
were extremely enthusiastic and excited to work
on the record and we saw fantastic success in
several countries in Asia, in particular Hong
Kong and Singapore, where the CD hit HMVs top 10
list. This is where working with a major label
really pays off, as the network and power that
they have between territories can really help you
push your music to the best of its potential. The
video for SHE LOVED is now playing on Channel V
and MTV Asia and was added to many stations, as
were other tracks from the album. It was a great
comfort to know that these people in all these
regions were all working to get my music
heard.
You just finished an international
tour playing Galileo in the popular West End
musical production We Will Rock You. What is it
like to do a West End show? How did you cope with
the heavy tour schedule? What is the audition
process like?
Im sure people have different experiences
about being in musicals, but my experience with
WE WILL ROCK YOU has been nothing less than
incredible.
I first auditioned for the role when I was living
in London in 2003. My first audition was
terrible. I had not warmed up enough, and I sang
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS like a strangled cat. I had
to beg them to let them see me again, so when I
returned I made sure I had warmed up and as I
stepped onto the stage, I saw that Brian May from
Queen was sitting on the audition panel! I sang
like my life depended on it and must have scored
some points because they offered me the part and
before long I was playing the lead in a major
West End hit show.
I played the role for 2 years in London
before I left to do ROCKSTAR:INXS in Los Angeles.
When they asked me to join the International tour
at the end of last year, I jumped at the chance
to do so because it really was the best job I
have ever had. Imagine singing some of the best
rock anthems of all time to an 8 piece kick-ass
band, a 30 voice backing choir and a stage and
lighting rig that would put Spinal Tap to
shame.
The heavy touring schedule was hectic but at the
same time is what kept doing the show exciting
and new. We had an opening night every couple of
months or so, new theatre, new audiences, new
changes, new culture to experience. It really was
a win-win situation. The down sides were of
course being away from home and having limited
time with your loved ones, living out of a
suitcase, the jet lag and stomach viruses but
apart from that it is a very charmed life. To
complain would really be wrong and ungrateful for
the amazing opportunities presented to us on
tour.
My association with the show has been
priceless. To work with both Brian May and Roger
Taylor from QUEEN, to lead a major show ion
Londons West End, to tour the world, to perform
for the likes of Anthony Kiedis, The Foo
Fighters, Joss Stone, Demi Moore, The Darkness,
Priscilla Presley, Joe Elliot along with many
other high profile celebrities are just a few of
the great things I have experienced performing in
WE WILL ROCK YOU.
How was WWRY received in countries
that were not predominantly English speaking?
Some jokes may have been lost in translation,
but it became evident to me that we are all the
same, as music truly is the universal language.
Every audience in every country responded to the
music exactly the same way, despite what language
they spoke. Standing ovations every night! This
show is a great formula for success, tried again
and again.
You were a top three finalist in the
hit show Rockstar: INXS. How were you scouted for
the show? Do you have any tips on how to gain
exposure and get noticed?
I actually heard about the show from a friend
of mine while I was living in London, performing
in WE WILL ROCK YOU. I had been a huge INXS fan
all my life (being a Sydney boy myself), so was
fascinated about the project.
I applied online for an audition and was given a
time to visit them casting agents at the
Shepherds Bush Empire. After a couple of call
backs, I was told that I had made the world-wide
final 50 and had to be flown to Los Angeles for
the final 2 weeks of intense auditionings and
screenings.
To make the final 15 was a huge deal and to make
the final 3 was just unbelievable, to think they
saw about 20,000 people world-wide. Normally I
would have scorned at the idea of entering a
reality talent competition like this, but the
music industry has changed and indeed the world
has changed. You do need a step-up these days to
raise your profile to get noticed.
These type of shows are an excellent way to fast-
lane yourself to exposure. Even though you may
not take home the prize, the time you spend in
front of the camera is priceless. Show them what
you got, but be yourself. This is your chance to
shine and so put your best foot forward.
I often think about how much better I could
have done on the show, but I have been able to
make the best of my time there and am so proud of
the work I have done since. I have never been
more busy! Things just dont happen for you. You
have to be more proactive than ever. No-one can
make it work for you other than you. You make it
what it can be. No-one else will do it for
you.
What's next for MiG?
I love every aspect of this business and the
trick to longevity is versatility. I am focusing
on a new CD which I hope to release early next
year but have got some tentative dates for a
couple of concert tours in Asia and the US, which
one of them is scheduled to actually be
televised. I guess I should be careful for what I
wish for!
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