Interview with Mike Mangini by PACO Agency/ Pics by Chris Strieder
The TOP OF THE WORLD TOUR is directly connected to your new album „A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD“. First of all, congratulations on an excellent 2nd place in the German album charts! By far not your first success. How do you keep the creativity for new songs even after so many years?
I keep creativity for many years because I spend some time understanding different combinations of limbs, rhythms, dynamics and time signatures that I have not yet utilized. My Rhythm Knowledge Book “Volume II,” documents base systems that provide endless combinations, so I access them in order to stay creative.
You are touring the whole world. Is there a place where you have never played and would really like to?
There isn’t really one place in the world I would like to visit to play because there are many, if it was to reach people with the gift of music to unify us beyond political barriers forced by rulers that oppress and prevent visits. If it was for me, I would like to play in Hawaii.
With so many shows: Are you actually still excited before you go on stage?
I get nervous before every show. It is involuntary. I have learned to funnel that nervousness into energy and confidence. You can read about it on www.rhythmknowledge.com where I have documented philosophies that help us all improve.
In Germany, the Berlin Show is coming up (23.05.22). Have you ever spent your free time in Berlin? If so, what do you remember most?
I did spend some time poking around in 1993. I was affected by the separation wall. I’m happy that it is gone. I think about it in today’s world thinking that it exists in a different form, like where rulers tell people what to do by force rather than people telling them what to do and how to serve their own citizens as a priority.
While we’re on the subject: Do you know the „Berliner Currywurst“ (food specialty)? Have you ever eaten it? If not, would you try it?
I am not familiar with Berliner Currywurst, but I would try it. I don’t like creamy dishes much, but I do like coconut milk and/or curry based ones. I also do not eat organs, but I eat just about everything else.
Especially in Germany you have a very big fan base. We Germans are not exactly known for being the most atmospheric people. Do you have that feeling as well?
I have a great feeling from fans in Germany. All I see are smiles when we play, so that is my impression. Also, many women I see are beautiful. It can be distracting, but it is like seeing anything in nature that awes you. So my feelings are very positive.
Back to you guys: What is the thing you are most afraid of on tour? (Except not being able to play due to illness). Many bands report about broken toilets on the tour bus, bad food or cold showers in the backstage area.
When I am on tour, I am most afraid of someone getting ill or dying at home.
We were thrilled to see that you recently won a Grammy. How did that feel like being awarded one of the most prominent music awards? Are there any other awards or goals as a band that you would like to achieve?
Being awarded a Grammy that was “performance” based was the best feeling ever. That Grammy was not for a song, it was not for a “career,” it was not retroactive based on the past, it was not based on anyone or anything but us five guys going in a room and playing like we were 18 years old. That is EXACTLY what I said as my last words before we entered the room with our gear. So being awarded a Grammy for “performance” how we did it so honestly and purely is the best thing ever.
Your concerts are very unique there is for sure a lot of planning involved. How long does it take you to get prepared for a tour?
It takes a few months to prepare for a tour. There is production beyond song learning, but the production matches the songs that are not yet learned exactly as we will perform them. It is difficult to make some choices about the songs before we actually play them together.
You already shared the stage with many artists are there any that you haven’t toured with yet and are hoping on touring with in the future?
I cannot specify any one entity I’d like to tour with because each has its own uniqueness. I like to get along with warm up bands, to share shows with other bands and to play with other people too. I like get along with people.
Which song of yours is your most liked and which one is your most disliked song to perform and why?
I have never thought about a song I dislike the most because I always find ways to have fun playing anything.
One last question: Would you (if everyone stays in good health, and we hope so!) play concerts into the old age or would you rather live the quiet life of a „pensioner“?
I realize that nothing replaces playing live and meeting people. I would miss that and I would like to always be able to do it just a little bit. But, I would love to continue to perform from my studio via the internet the most. I would have a better routine, more control, I wouldn’t be as tired and anyone could reach me from anywhere like they did during the forced, economy crushing lock downs. I enjoy making people smile and happy during that time. I enjoyed that anybody could reach me via Zoom with no plane ticket, no hotel, no big expense and no worries.
Thanks for answering our questions and good luck on your tour!
