Franklin Square’s Mike Del Rio (www.myspace.com/mikedelrio) has been on the outside looking in on the Long Island music scene—a phenomenon that has brought success to fellow musicians and friends alike (Bandcamp, Envy on the Coast, Ryan Star, etc). His self-produced 2007 EP, Blooming Under Pressure, showcases the talents of this 21-year-old musician. Currently attending Pratt Institute majoring in art direction, Del Rio is coming into his own in both songwriting and sound.

How would you describe your music?

 

Music has always been my partner in life . . . my best friend, a lover, a foe all wrapped up in the same passion. Pop music transcends genres and production to a basic rule of good songwriting and melodies. I would call myself a pop artist only because I never try to commit to one solid genre.

How has LI affected your career?

 

I always felt the need to revolt against the LI scene that was trying to ride the coattails of other successful local bands. For the past couple of years, there has been a cluster of uniformity and comfort in a particular genre of music that, to me, lost its interest a long time ago. The cycle seems to be that something takes off and everyone tries to copy it and get some of the glow. But, I’ve always been a city boy at heart, so I would spend the weekends in Manhattan and Brooklyn going to see bands like The Strokes and Rufus Wainwright . . . taking the LIRR home listening to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album. So I’d like to thank the Long Island bands, with no intention of insult whatsoever, for making me take the train west for inspiration.

Who are your greatest influences?

I’ve grown up with the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. John Frusciante has been a huge influence in how I play guitar. Paul McCartney’s melodies and ideas really laid a foundation for me. The Beatles didn’t change my life; they molded it. At the end of the day, being in and out of love is the greatest influence . . . with another soul, a city, etc. Everything seems to revolve around it. I do my best to listen to how it works and wait for the sound to shine out.