It’s simply impossible to listen to Michael Mayo’s “Keep On Dancin” and not feel uplifted. It’s a much-needed reminder not to allow yourself to be weighed down by anyone, but to do your best to enjoy every moment, and don’t forget to dance! We had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Mayo, and here’s what he had to say:
Q: I loved the amazing feel-good vibe of “Keep On Dancin”! What was your songwriting process for this song?
MAYO: I was inspired by the feel-good vibe of a 70s-themed party on a cruise, and I knew I wanted to capture that energy in a song. However, being a songwriter, I had never attempted to write a song in the 70s style before. So, I started by creating the instrumental track first, trying to capture the sound and feel of the era. It took me about three days to come up with a melody that perfectly captured the essence of the 70s sound.
With the instrumental as my foundation, I began to build the song around the melody. And just like that, “Keep On Dancin” was born. The songwriting process was not as intense as locking myself in a cabin for three days, but the end result was just as powerful. Whenever I listen to the song now, it transports me back to that night on the cruise and all the happy memories that came with it.
Q: That’s lovely! Can you describe what a typical studio session for this song was like?
MAYO: A typical studio session for “Keep On Dancin” started with me having an idea or feeling I wanted to convey in the song. It could depend on my mood or what was going on in my life. I like to use beatboxing or voice notes to get ideas flowing, and then I play chord ideas or plug them into my music program. For this song, the demo was very different from the final version, as I continued to refine and develop the melody.
Once I had a rough melody, I would do a rough recording and listen to it for a few days. I focus a lot on the chorus, so I would usually record that first. The chorus for “Keep On Dancin” was recorded days before the actual verses. Finally, I filled in the gaps with the verses, trying to keep the focus on the party atmosphere of the song. What was unique about this song was that I wanted it to be different from my other songs, so I focused on letting it breathe, not making everything wordy. The final result was a fun, upbeat, and feel-good party song, capturing the essence of the 70s vibe that inspired me
Q: What did you enjoy most about making “Keep On Dancin”?
MAYO: Making “Keep On Dancin” was a thrilling experience as it challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new. I’ve always been a fan of 80s pop music with heavy basslines, ever since Calvin Harris released “Slide”. However, I felt intimidated to try making music in this style, but I was determined to make “Keep On Dancin” special and to mark a growth period in my music journey. I was able to focus on the type of music I truly love and this made the process of creating the song truly enjoyable. I feel proud of what I accomplished and the experience was truly fulfilling.
Q: I see you’ve been making music since 2012. What got you into music?
MAYO: It’s actually a very funny story! And weirdly specific too. I was about 13 years old and my favorite song was Down by Jay Sean. I so badly wanted to make a cover of that song! So I learned how to play it on an acoustic guitar but it didn’t sound anything like the recording. Me being this twelve-year-old kid couldn’t figure out how I could make music like that. Then I would go on to learn the keyboard to try and mimic those effects in the song. But the thing that really got me to learn was Ludacris – “How low.” He was going to do a performance on a show and I kept wondering how is he going to perform that high pitch voice live. It was weird I was formulating everything in my head like a woman might sing it or someone with a high voice. And he performs the song and it’s just a recording. I thought that was the coolest thing ever and I looked up how he did that and found the wonders of music production. Then from there, I keep going!
Q: What is your favorite memory from your musical journey so far?
MAYO: It’s really hard because there are two pivotal memories I think. I guess the one I’d share today is being able to take my mom to see Cirque du Soleil perform one of my songs. I had an incredibly rare and exciting opportunity at a young age to share my work with my parents. I am so thankful for that. I think that’s something that every musician wants to be able to do for their parents. Believe me, I fought hard to get those tickets!
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received about being a musician?
MAYO: The best advice I’ve received about being a musician is to simply be yourself. It’s a common tendency to try to emulate others and while that can be inspiring, it’s important to remember that the goal is to be the first version of yourself. I strive to avoid comparisons and the stress that comes with it, by embracing my unique sound and style. Being true to myself and my unique style has led to some rejection, but it has also allowed me to create authentic music with a universal message. The joy of being able to express myself through music in a way that is true to who I am is what makes me love what I do. I think especially through Keep On Dancin’ it shows because that’s just me having fun that’s it!
Interviewed by Zoey King
FOLLOW MICHAEL MAYO:
