IBG Interview - 8 Questions With Mick Michaels

Staying power in this crazy music industry is a rare feat. Artists and bands come and go quickly. To last an artist must have a true passion and be willing to put in the hard work. Our friend Mick Michaels from Corners Of Sanctuary has been at it for a long while and has found success.

We had the chase to chat with Mick and get a little deeper into his story and new music. Enjoy the interview here:

First off, how did the name Corners of Sanctuary come about?
Mick Michaels: “Corners of Sanctuary” are places each of us can go to be who we really are without ridicule or judgment from the outside world. They’re places where we can really shine. For us, music is a “corner of sanctuary.” We just share that corner with others and hope they enjoy it as much as we do.

How would you describe your music without any of the boring generic genre descriptions?
Mick Michaels: Corners of Sanctuary is hard hitting, right to the point…no fluff, just what you’d expect from traditional Heavy Metal…all the punch, none of the puff.

Which bands have had the greatest influence on you?
Mick Michaels: Kiss, Judas Priest, early Accept, Ratt, early Queensryche, Dokken, Twisted Sister…just to name a few of the major ones. But in reality, every band I have heard has left some impression on me on some level.

What is your songwriting process? How does a song come together for Corners of Sanctuary?
Mick Michaels: We are a guitar driven band, so much of what we do starts there. That being said, even though we are a guitar driven band, our music is primarily centered on the vocals. Everything that we do in a song is to enhance and showcase the vocals…but most often than not it starts with a guitar riff. From there it’s presented to the band and everyone puts their unique stamp on it.

Lyrics are always being written even if there isn’t music to go with it. So we have a plethora of material to work with…and if there isn’t something there that’s working, then we write it as needed. It really is an organic process and a very enjoyable one.

Tell us about your latest releases
Mick Michaels: Corners of Sanctuary has two new releases currently out at the moment. We have our Def Leppard tribute EP titled “Defying” and we have our second best of compilation, “Metal Never Dies,” now available. Both have been released on Sonic Velocity Records.

“Defying” is our very first cover project…new territory for us as a band. But instead of just doing one song, we decided to make it an EP and have some fun with it.

We have a video for our cover version of “Bringing on the Heartbreak” and that can be found on our Facebook page and Youtube channel.

“Metal Never Dies” is a collection of songs from the band’s 11 year run so far. It’s a good cross section of what we’ve done musically. 20 songs are included on this compilation. Many of the tracks have new recordings, new mixes and new masters… this release also includes two new songs.

I also have an EP out with the Doom Groove Metal band Hereafter. It’s called “Fires of the Flame.”

What do you hope that the listener takes away from your music?
Mick Michaels: Like all artists, we hope to make a connection with the listener. If we can do that, on any level, then we are doing something right. Of course it won’t be for everyone and that’s okay. But for those who do resonate with it in some capacity, we hope that connection provides empowerment in some area of their lives.

Share some advice for other hard-working bands striving for success in the new music industry?
Mick Michaels: Always be your own person and stay true to yourself…don’t be something you’re not, it’s not sustainable and only comes back in the end to bite you in the ass..

What does the future hold for Corners of Sanctuary?
Mick Michaels: More music for sure….

COS is currently playing a number of shows to round out the year including the Keep it Metal Fest in September, our 4X4 Tour in October and performing with TRAPT on their 20^th anniversary tour in November. We are also working on lots of new music including an EP and follow up full-length album for next year. Plus we have some dates swarming around for 2023 already.

Thanks so much for talking with me. All the best and COSnROLL\m/\m/