Uncloak: An Interview with Michael Gilas on His Musical Ingenuity

Michael Gilas proudly unveils his latest single, “Let’s Get Back To Us,” the first track from his forthcoming debut album, 231 Kensington Road. It is more than just an album. It is a sonic journey through Michael’s diverse musical influences and life experiences. The album’s title is a tribute to the address where he discovered the musicians who shaped his sound, and each track invites listeners to explore his world where rhythm, melody, and heartfelt emotion converge.

“Let’s Get Back To Us” marks a significant milestone in Michael’s musical career. It represents both his artistic growth and personal recovery from a severe neck injury that nearly derailed his life. Through this song, he transforms hardship into harmony, delivering an uplifting message about reconnecting with oneself and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. Growing up on Long Island, Michael was exposed to a rich musical tapestry, drawing inspiration from iconic artists like the Beatles, Eagles, Steely Dan, and Fleetwood Mac.

Michael’s creative process is both intentional and collaborative. It often begins with simple guitar riffs and evolves with the help of his producer, Allan Phillips. He continues to experiment with new sounds and has exciting plans to perform live and collaborate with esteemed artists like John Peña and Alex Acuña. As Michael embarks on a new chapter, and with his artistic mission to create quality and lasting music, he joins us for an exclusive interview to uncloak his musical ingenuity.

How would you describe your own music?

Michael Gilas: “When I first started the album, I thought, ‘How can I bridge the music of ‘yesterday’ and still give it a feel of being current or today?’ I love classic rock and so do many other people but the sound needed to be fresh. As I’m writing this, I’m #1 on the World Indie Chart, with my song ‘This Is The Last Time.’ I listen to today’s music and I listen up and down the charts. I believe to succeed, any artist must somehow differentiate themselves. Otherwise, it’s just ‘me too.’ So, I would say my sound is a mix of yesterday and today.

“As I continue the musical journey, the sound will get ‘edgier,’ more ‘weight,’ but still keep the elements of background vocals and guitar. I used to think ‘One day, I’ll just find the sound and that’s it.’ There is so much more to it. It’s a constant process of learning, experimenting and taking constructive criticism.”

How would you describe your creative process?

“My creative process usually begins by sort of ‘noodling around on the guitar.’ I’ll just start playing something and think about an emotion or idea I’ve been thinking about. Sometimes, I’ll start with just some raw thoughts, whether it’s a phrase, and then try a melody that might work. From there, I try to develop a structure — sometimes it’s lyrics first. Other times, it’s a chord progression or melody. I like to let the theme guide me, whether it’s a story I’m telling or an emotion I’m expressing.

“There’s usually a lot of back-and-forth between refining the lyrics and crafting the music. Then we’ll create a demo of just the music. I’ll literally drive around listening for weeks and come up with the rest of the lyrics. Sometimes, I’ll step away from a song for a while to gain some perspective, then return to it with fresh ears. When I’m really stuck, I’ll bring in someone else to help finish the song.”

Who are your biggest influences?

“As far as songwriting, I’ve studied some of the very best. Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Lennon, and McCartney. Musically and lyrically, they had a huge impact not only on my musical taste but on my life. Music was very important to me growing up and if I wasn’t playing music I was listening to music for hours every day.”

Tell us about “This Is The Last Time.” What was your experience of making it? What went on behind the scenes? Any notable moments that stand out?

“When you start out writing a song, it begins maybe a little chorus or a little melody with a few words. Then it turns into a song, after a lot of hard work. My most recent release ‘This Is The Last Time,’ started with just an idea. How often do you say, ‘I’ll never do that again,’ that’s what this song was all about. It’s a fun process but sometimes it’s frustrating, because like everything you want it all ‘yesterday.’

“Behind the music, there’s so much. It’s a huge team effort from start to finish. But I really enjoy the studio. It’s like a laboratory. You can be a ‘mad scientist,’ and experiment. You never know what will happen. We recorded a new song in LA at Sunset Sound. The place is iconic, everyone from The Beach Boys to Miley Cyrus has recorded there. We recorded in Studio 2, Van Halen recorded several records in that same studio. That was pretty cool.”

What do you like most about playing music?

“Music is freedom to me. It’s like stepping into another world. All of my problems go away, and there’s a feeling of things being good. Whenever I play or create, something good comes out of it. If you think about your own moments of creativity. You always come away better. I believe this: If all the politicians in the world played an instrument, got together and jammed, and created music instead of war, poverty, and division, the world would be a better place. Music can save us.”

Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?

“I like writing and recording. But I realize that practice is very important and live shows are fun. I take singing lessons two to three times a week and I play guitar almost every day. I actually practice songwriting too. I’ll generate a verb and a noun. Say like walk and tree. Then I free write a story, not thinking of rhyming just a story about walking and a tree. I write for exactly ten minutes. I try and do this every day.

“Becoming a success at anything takes effort, patience, and sacrifice; it’s not always easy. And yes, I have days when I don’t want to play or write and I’d like to just stay in bed! But I always find myself back to music because that’s where I’m the most comfortable.”

Do you ever get stage fright? What’s your solution for it?

“I’m always beyond nervous just before I go on. Because I never know how my voice is going to cooperate. It’s always different, and sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s a struggle. The key is for no one to notice.”

What are you still trying to figure out?

“How to make myself happy and others around me happy at the same time. I can’t be happy unless others are. If someone I know and care about is hurting, I’m hurting. I can’t seem to ever just go, ‘Hey, it’s your life,’ and too bad. I’m a giver by nature. I’m a true Capricorn, and I’m a creature of routine and always caring.”

Michael Gilas

Do you have anything you’d like to tell any fans reading right now?

“I’m very grateful for your support. People have so many choices, and that they choose to listen to me is beyond appreciated. I’m humbled by the accolades and the recognition. But I also hope the best for everyone. I hope my music lifts and inspires each person who listens. Music brings people together. It connects everyone, and that’s what I love about music and people who love music.”

What’s next for you?

“Well, I’m going to continue making music. The next few songs will be edgier. Kent Wells in Nashville is producing several songs. He produces Dolly Parton, Steven Tyler, and many huge names. He’s legendary, and I’m beyond excited to work with him. He’s also really cool.”

Along those same lines, do you take advantage of technology and email riffs and parts back and forth? Or do you get together in a room in a more traditional sense and write together?

“I start my songs in a very traditional way. They come from some inspiration or something that I’ve been thinking about. Usually, I write at home with my guitar, sitting right next to my piano. I have two guitars, one in standard tuning and the other in ‘open G.’ I’ll use ‘drop D’ sometimes also. I always have my recorder on as well, just in case I play something or say something and can’t remember it.

“After I have at least a chorus and maybe a verse, I’ll show it to my producer and see what he thinks. If he thinks it has potential, we’ll make a rough demo. I’ll try and write all the lyrics. I mentioned before that I will drive around for possibly weeks and listen over and over until I have the rest of the lyrics. I look over every word every ‘and,’ ‘but,’ etc. until I feel it’s just right.”

If you had an unlimited budget, where and with whom would you record your record? What about Production and Mastering? And why?

“Unlimited? I’d record everything with Kent Wells in Nashville. I’d bring my producer from San Diego, Allan Phillips, and we’d bring in the best people in Nashville. We’d fly in the best from LA also.”