Who is Mike de Velta? An interview by True Blue Promotions
Posted on | August 19, 2010 | No Comments
Where were you born?
I was born in Islington , London and grew up in Edmonton. Not quite within the Beau
Bells but some might say I qualify as a Cockney, alright my son!
What was the first record you owned? The First record I bought was a Blondie single, Heart of Glass, I also
had her poster, you know the one where she’s wearing the Andy Warhol’s Bad TShirt. She was my first
infatuation with an unattainable. That poster literally hung on my wall for years. I went to school with a guy
who claimed to be one of the members brother, Mick Stein I think, still not sure about that one though.
Who was the first live act you saw?
Pretty sure it was Madness, I grew up with the London Ska movement
and continued to follow that style of music after immigrating to Perth. A far cry from blues and folk I must
say but it was the sound track to Quadraphenia which was widely accepted and adopted by the mod revival
of the early 80′s that struck a chord with me. The soundtrack featured Booker T and the MG’s ‘Green Onions’
and it was played to a scene where “Jimmy” goes nuts in a Brighton club jumping off a balcony into a crowd
of tripping party goers. You could say that for me it epitomized the image of a social rebel but with a touch
of with class, I liked that idea at the time.
How old were you when you discovered you could sing?
Still working that one out, I can honestly say it’s
not been easy to develop and was something that didn’t come all that naturally for me. Even so called great
singers comment on struggling to come to terms with their own abilities. However, what is most exciting
about singing unlike playing any other instrument is a uniqueness of tone which begins to develop as a
direct result of playing and singing frequently over many years. Only know do I feel that this is beginning to
happen.
What was your first paid public appearance? I stepped out doing solo work for a restaurant in Point
Samson, NW WA. Just instrumentals, played very long versions of tunes like Exodus, Spanish Harlem that
type of thing. I couldn’t believe it, being payed for a good time, I was hooked!
What was the first car you owned?
A green 1300 Torana that I pranged on the second day I owned it. Ran
into a tree on someone’s front garden, took off quietly after only damaging the front wheel and little leaving
rather heavy skid marks on their immaculate lawn. I can’t believe no one even noticed!
What do you enjoy doing outside of music?
Travel, photography, bush walking, that type of thing. Any
experience that might teach me to see or feel more. A l’il philosophical I know but really, how much of our
lives is spent in “sameness”? I get bored quite easily, always looking for new ground, conceptually,
spiritually or otherwise.
Who is, or are, the biggest influence in your music?
Kenny Burrell
Michael Hedges
Larry Carlton
John Lee Hooker
Ravi Shankar
Taj Mahal
Keb Mo’
Blind Boy Fuller
Brownie McGhee
Ry Cooder
Who is the biggest influence in your life?
In 2000 I spent three months traveling India, this particular event
as small as it appears had a profound effect on my thinking.
Never having ever seen an Indian Ashram I decided to visit this particular one in Kerala on was what a fine
Indian day. On arrival I walked up some steps towards a courtyard to be enveloped in what could be only
described as a most beautiful and peaceful feeling. As the sounds of holy mantras filled the air I walked
amongst prayerful Saddhu’s and colorfully dressed devotees to find one of only a few westerners leaning
against a low wall. Seeking guidance I introduced myself and he said his name was Ram. With a chuckle he
then surprised me by saying, “Everyone’s called that around here.” Puzzled I said, “What does it mean?” He
said, “It means God!”
TRUE BLUE would sincerely like to thank Mike for providing his thoughts and answers to these questions,
and to reveal some things about him that very few of us, if any, ever knew. For those that have had the
pleasure of seeing and hearing Mike’s music it comes as no surprise that his answers are very reminiscent
of his personality – quiet, cheeky, spiritual, honest, caring, gentle, and tolerant. It is indeed a privilege to
be associated with Mike, and TRUE BLUE wishes him every success in his musical career – it is all well
deserved.
Mike currently has two albums, “Norfolk Lane” and “On a backdrop of silence” plus he is working hard on his
next CD release, due out early in 2006. He also features on the TRUE BLUE RECORDS “Pinnacles” CD.
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Typically associated with the Blues and Roots movement and acoustic in nature Mike De Velta's intoxicating compositions and performances are constantly on the move. A rich showcase of modern folk,blues and a hint of the eastern expressed through the shimmering and delightful tones of lap slide, ukulele and acoustic guitars.