De Amerikaanse rijzende ster Micah McLaurin staat bekend om zijn virtuositeit op de piano en zijn talent om emotie en diepte in zijn uitvoeringen te leggen. Micah’s interpretaties van klassieke composities zijn subtiel en expressief, een samensmelting van technische bekwaamheid en artistieke gevoeligheid, waardoor hij opvalt in de klassieke muziekwereld maakt.

MIRROR MIRROR interviewde Micha naar aanleiding van zijn nieuwe album Diamond. De foto’s bij dit interview zijn gemaakt door Domen en Van de Velde, de hele shoot staat in MIRROR MIRROR.

IIn what way do you feel different now that Diamond is out? It feels amazing to release music that has been part of my journey, and to be able to put my own stamp on it with these original arrangements. Playing classical all my life, I wasn’t allowed to add my own ideas to pieces, but with “Diamonds”, arranging the songs in the way I feel them was the whole point, to break away from rules and have more self-expression musically. 

How did you land on the name Moons for your new single? I envision myself in the song, being transported to another place, away from hardships. I always looked at the moon and outer space and wondered how peaceful it must feel to look back at the earth and see how small it is and that all the troubles are there, but you’re on the moon. 

What other artists are you listening, and what is your inspiration? Right now I’m loving Kylie Minogue’s new album “Tension”, and I’m always listening to Lady Gaga, Donna Summer, and disco. Recently, the jazz pianist Beegie Adair greatly influenced my jazz inspired arrangements on “Diamonds”. 

As performer/musician, what means fashion & beauty for you? Just like music gives me an escape, I feel the same way about fashion. Music gives my emotions catharsis, and fashion gives me freedom to feel more expressive visually, and elevates my mood. Fashion is also a performance, because you embody what you’re wearing, and whatever it is you’re wearing inspires different parts of you to come out. So I feel the two forms of expression pair well together, one is more body, and one is more soul.

If you were to assign a scent to the album, what’s the album smell like to you? Maybe Chanel No.5 since Marilyn Monroe was an inspiration, and that was her go to fragrance. But also, the music is mostly from around her era. 

What does the rest of the year look like for you? I’m recording more songs that I’ve written and am so excited about, and I’m preparing for live performances with dance and live vocals and piano. 

In the future, will you tour in Europe? Absolutely! I love Europe so much, I’m always aching to go back there. The history and beauty is so inspiring, and the people are curious and interested in many types of art and music. 

 Domen & Van de Velde - Photography / Nicola Formichetti - Fashion Director / Beatrice Sandoval for Haus Labs – Mua / Joeri Rouffa voor Keune Haircosmetics / Enoch Choi - Set design/ Laura Berrou – Assistant Photography