Larin Michaels steps confidently into the spotlight with his new singleĀ “Love Straight From the Heart”, a blues-rock cut that channels decades of musical expertise into one powerful, soul-soaked track. Best known for his work behind the scenes with some of musicās biggest legends, Michaels now brings his multi-instrumental talents and deep Motown roots to the forefront. We caught up with him around the release to talk about the upcoming solo album, the story behindĀ “Love Straight From the Heart” and why now felt like the right time to put his own name on the marquee.
1. Youāve Worked With legends like Del Shannon, Freddy Cannon, and the Four Tops. What are
some standouts memories or lessons from those experiences?
Answer. Freddy Cannon not like Del did not play any instruments during his show. One time we
were playing and it so happened that I was playing something not in the show and at that same
time there was a problem with the sound system on stage! Freddy took over as if nothing
happened and turned a big mistake into a beautiful Show Right there I knew then what make a
real true star!!!!! And Freddy said nothing to me he just said good show!!!!
As far as the Four Tops: Working with the Motown Review was fantastic. Working places like
Cobo Arena 12,000 attendance was a thrill and gave me the taste of what it was like to perform
In front of large audiences and to watch how the four Tops did their dancing and singing as they
captured the audience!!!! I said to myself one day I hoped to develop that expertise!!!
2. As someone whoās mastered so many instruments, do you have a first love among them?
Well, I started out very young on drums. At that time I also was working on piano and a little
guitar. Well it so happened that I met a friend who was a drummer and he said that his band
needed a guitar player so I decided to concentrate on guitar. My true love all the time was with
the piano!!! My second choice was that of with the flute which I found to be challenging. At the
time I started studying the instrument there was no Jethro Tull so people looked at what I was
doing as something weird. And now they seem to just have accepted that. Strange how people
change!!!!!!! O well
3.Ā The transition from working behind the scenes (producing, Arranging, Composing) to
stepping out as a solo artist must be significant. What inspired you to take center stage now?
I think the transition to center stage took a while to take place. When I was in Europe working
with the Hair thing I had the privilege to work under a producer out of New York City, Sorry I
canāt remember his name but he was sure great! He let me work my talent on the arrangements
and let me put my input into the show. He then left and I was put in charge of the music. This
was my first taste of putting together my total arrangements and as time went on I knew that I
wanted to make that transition in time to center stage.
4. How do you usually start writing a song ālyrics, melody, or instrumentation?
I like to carry with me most of the time a note book where I take notes of phrases, ideas,
thoughts, and visual experiences. I like to write experiences of life and with that you have a total
concentration on what you are trying to achieve in that message to your listeners. I like to
consider each of my songs as a short story. Some songs are about love between a man and his
friend like a song Look at you. Where a guy meets a girl and as they proceed with their affair she
cheats and then he says take a hike and then I have some song that I feel I get from Divine
Intervention like I Just Canāt Do It All Alone, on the Album which has a spiritual Message. Some
Times I will sit for hours on the piano and just engulf myself into a trance and wait till I get a
good feeling on the music that fits the story that Iam selling to my listeners! I have one song on
the album, All That Matters is the Bottom Line I got from a friend (female) who like me had lost
her spouse and she explained to me that she was having a real problem with depression and
handling with it! This inspired me to write a song about depression and how to handle that. Now
I think my involvement with many different types on music gives me the advantage for writing
arrangements that fit each song. Years of writing!!!
5. Youāve done everything from commercials to rock to Gospel. What drives you to keep
exploring different musical avenues?
Rock and roll is my roots and gospel is connected to my upbringing. Now commercials
happened by accident! I was working with two guys from Motown Records, John Lewis and
Michael Gracie. At that time John asked me to write a song about the Detroit Red Wings for
Radio. I did which started my involvement with them. The next assignment was to write jingles
which I did but to be honest with you it drove me crazy and I found myself working 15 hours a
day for many periods of time for 30 second spots. So, after a few years I said I had enough and
went back to my writing roots and concentrated on songs.
6. Your new single āLove Straight from the Heartā has such a soul, classic feel. What inspired this
particular track? Was there a specific moment or story behind it?
Yes there was a specific challenge that I wanted to write about and again get a message to all
who will listen. Here in the USA there is a political battle going on!!!! And this songs message is
quit the hurting to others and begin to open up and show more love, more love from the Heart.
Hate only breeds Hurt and destruction!!!!!!! My only wish is that we can get more Exposure
about Love. Thats It.
7.Ā What can listeners expect from the rest of the album? Will it follow the same blues ārock
direction, or will we hear a variety of genres?
The rest of the album has many blues ārock songs but it also captures a feel of a little bit like of
what you may hear Van Morrison do!!!! Like all that Matters is the Bottom Line. There is also
some feel of Christian rock with also my roots/ Blues rock sound on the guitar solos. Stay tuned
for the new songs that Iām recording with songs like Angel Eyes and A fool like you!!
8.Ā Was there a song on the album that challenged you more than the others?
Yes there was. The song was Iām on the outside Looking in. The message/story of this song is
which many and most of us have had experienced or will experience. Some time in our lives we
lose a special one thru death. That might be a spouse a mother, father, son, daughter or friend.
It was hard for me to write and express the correct story behind the song. I wanted to make
sure that the song expressed feelings that everyone could relate to. I found it hard to write the
Lyrics without crying many days!!!! I did not want pity to show up in my writings only feelings!!!!
The piano solo and the organ solo was also quite a challenge also. I sure hope everyone enjoys
this song and gets the message that I was trying to send.
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