Mike Melinoe on his connection to Austin
Originally born in Detroit, Mike Melinoe is an Austin-based hip-hop artist known for defying genre boundaries. His combination of R&B, rock, pop, with deeply introspective lyrics makes him a captivating presence in the Austin music scene. In addition to his considerable musical talents, Mike Melinoe’s artistry extends into design, fashion, modeling, and more. His most recent album, STRCHLD, was released in 2023. Mike Melinoe will perform at our SXSBreaks showcase during SXSW on Wednesday, March 13th at Revival Coffee.
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Scroll down to read our Q&A with Mike Melinoe
Q: Why did you decide to call Austin home?
A: Well, Austin has been a very unique place for a while now. I first began coming to Austin in 2014 for SXSW. That was a wild experience, but a few years later, I ended up in a relationship. So, while visiting her in 2016, she suggested I stay. I was very hesitant of course, being from Detroit, but a day or so later I missed my flight home and haven’t looked back.
Q: What got you into music?
A: Well, I come from a musical family. Literally, my parents, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc. all were either musicians or vocalists, so growing up in Detroit, it was tough to keep it away. What truly pushed me into writing was this gospel artist named Lil Mike, I believe. I got his cassette tape and began listening a lot and writing. Then, later, I discovered Lil Wayne, due to my cousin, and it was over from there.
Q: Your creativity extends beyond music into fashion, visual art, design, modeling, and audio production to name a few. How do you determine what form your art is going to take next?
A: Crazy enough, I never know. I’m just attempting to find peace within my artistry and push for the greatest I can be, honestly. I do plan to navigate this music career forward though. I’ve taken time away from my other craft and devoted my energy to music while, in many ways, still occupying my other creative efforts. I design my artwork to my clothes, to even direct my films and production for photography. I’m very hands-on to merging everything into my music realm. I’m inspired by life and my son, so there’s no limitations to my artistry.
Q: Who are you listening to right now?
A: I’m listening to a lot. Yame, Premo Rice, Common Saints, and more. On the local end, I enjoy D. Harmon, Ife Neuro, J Soulja, JaRon Marshall, and a few others as well at the moment.
Q: Do you have a favorite Austin music experience?
A: Maybe just having my son. Since the birth of my son, I’ve felt a deeper connection and love for Texas as a whole, and overcoming tough times from homelessness to depression. That period in time was life-changing for me, especially because I have zero family in Austin.
Q: Anything exciting coming up that we need to know about?
A: Yes, loads of new things are on the way, but mainly I’ll be dropping more ‘STRCHLD’ content. People are loving the product, so I’m extremely happy with the future. Also, SXSW along with tours are on the way, so stay tuned by following me on social media.
