The Perfect Michael Jackson Tribute by The ATif

There was a knock at my door.

I asked, “Who Is It?”

It was Billie Jean asking for Money.

I started to give her what she wanted, but instead I said, “There’s something Bad about The Way You Make Me Feel.”

Most Michael Jackson fans will spot all of the song titles right away. If this is you, then you will love the the new album by The ATif called MJ Rock Tributes.

The metal is heavy in this seven song collection of MJ covers. The ATif drops his own original style on the classic tunes by everyone’s favorite artist. The lead guitar is a monster on every cut, and the vocal performance does MJ justice.

The ATif does an impressive job of hitting all the high notes on Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough. His influences includes Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and George Michael. The ATif chose awesome roll models and the influence that those artists have had on The ATif is up front and obvious during his vocal performances.

This artist does his thing in the studio and on stage. He loves to connect with the crowd and bond with a room full of people through his craft. He feels that the happiness he gets from his muisc is addictive.

I love to be on stage. Strangers become your friends with this musical bond. Embracing so much happiness and energy… is addictive ~ The ATif

We caught up with The ATif recently and he was nice enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for the BMS Radio Network:

What is your music background?

So I started playing piano when I was fourteen and picked guitar some ten years ago. But I can’t recall since when I started singing. My peers say I used to sing before I started speaking.

Who are your musical influences?

Oddly enough though I am originally a pianist, I compose like a guitarist. And although I have a rock tone, my influences have been from MJ, Phil Collins, George Michael etc.

What are your long-term career goals?

Well I would love to have a band like say Police. And would pursue a solo career too. I think music is deeply personal phenomenon. And there are creative limitation when it emerges as a collaborative effort.

What type of recording process do you use? Who produced your recording?

I use all sorts of new wave methods to create music- starting from my bed room studios to commercial studios. Offshore artists that collaborate with me. Like Vanja Grastic who is based Serbia is the new born version of Eddie Van Halen with a touch of Carlos Santana. Then I have Hannah Mc Daniel who is Berkley Music Student- she is Minnesota and we collaborate on songwriting. In next few days I am going to LA to collaborate with Joshua JD Walker Multi-Platinum Record Producer who has Enrique Iglesias, Cher, Kylie Minogue and many more to his credit. Then I have many amazing Producers such as Ray Balconis in New York with whom I will collaborating in near future.

So for me it’s all about musical ideas that collide to create a winning combo.

Do you ever get the chance to perform live?

Oh yes, I love to be on stage. It’s amazing how strangers become your friends with this musical bond. How people respond to groove and melody is just astonishing. It is kind of therapeutic too when you can exchange energy with so many people. It is like embracing so much happiness and energy during the few minutes of a song. It is addictive. And I don’t let go any opportunity to sing and play live- be it open mics, Facebook Live or any regular gig.

Are you looking for to remain independent or to get a major label deal?

Being independent is more about enjoying the creative liberty. You don’t have to fit a mold and you don’t have to produce generally striking music. You can retain your individuality. Thanks to online music business model- you can carve your own audience and reap your own benefits. The route is longer but if you have conviction you can make it so much more fun.

With the traditional label there is a whole machinery working for you. They have to meet their costs and therefore they create enough traction and shows for you to share the limelight. Which is fun in its own. Staying on road has its own charm.

If anything, what would you change about the music industry today?

I would go back to spool analogue recordings. The hard disk doesn’t have enough vibe, oomph or the kick to create that dynamic range. We continue to feel the urge to go back to old music because it had that dynamic range and your ear doesn’t get tired. Though new applications are trying to mimic the warmth of spool but it’s just not there. That’s why music from after 2000 seems very disposable- even from bands such as Kings of Leon, The Darkness, Jack White and likes.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming artists?

Just love what you do. Music is better than sex and there is no stopping or recovery after its orgasm. If you enjoy what you do, everybody else will do too. Just find the sweet spot between what you like and what others might like too.

Any thing else you want to say on the people?

Music is the voice of sub conscious. Apple Music, Spotify and iTunes are great hubs to discover new music. You are not restricted to radio and Billboard anymore- there is a wealth of fun to be discovered. There are playlists, genres and undiscovered material that is no less than Wikipedia or Encarta. Go out and find it- music says much more than can be said.