In this interview spotlight, we chat with Michael Spivack of Prospect Lux about influences, his new project, and more.

Full Q&A, links, and streams can be found below.

Let’s get to know you, the artist and your music a little better. What attracted you to genre(s) or style(s) you practice?   

I studied songwriting and composition in college at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York and fell in love with the greats (Beatles, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Elton John). The art of songwriting seemed like the most important thing I could ever learn. You need to learn how to listen to your heart and amplify it’s ramblings and let it meld with your brain a bit to organize it in a way that can reach other people. It’s a really powerful internal relationship I set my life on course to develop.

How long have you been making music? Have you been performing or sharing it with the public all that time? 

I have been writing since I was a teenager in a metal band, but only really sharing with the world since 2010 when I co-founded a boutique music licensing company called Inventiv Music (which is no longer in operation) and was writing music for television. Mostly rock and pop cues. Just last month I released my pet solo project under my producer moniker called “Prospect Lux“. It’s alot different than the acoustic singer-songwriter sound you hear on the Brakes and Transitions EP. It’s very high tech and production forward.

Who or what influences your writing and performance?   

I have my ear on the ground all the time now to find the most interesting new music in all popular genres. I used to look into the past to find artists to learn from, and I still love them all dearly, but right now it’s about engaging with the current generation of innovators and flexing my producer chops a bit too, ha.

It seems all creative people go through rough patches or writer’s block of some sort. What motivates you to keep going?

For me, it was never a question of why I should stop, but rather an essential way of dealing with life itself. I needed art to work through every stage of life and every major growing pain I was going through so I wrote. I never really took a break. Though I’d certainly move on from pieces that became too cumbersome to continue. We evolve rather quickly, and I didn’t want to stop the wave.

Were you trying to accomplish something different or specific with this project – creatively or otherwise?   

With the Breaks and Transitions EP I was really trying to pick up the pieces from a failed love relationship and grow into myself all the way so I didn’t need to make the same mistakes again. It was a truly amazing experience to see the the melodies and lyrics appear for me when I sat to write during such an emotional time in my life. But I always strive to extract and preserve beauty from the pain. I think it’s a pretty typical artist trait.

What was the last song you listened to?

Solo by Frank Ocean…. He is on another level

Do you prefer a certain medium for listening – vinyl, CDs, mp3, reel-to-reel, Pono,(lol sort of)?   

I prefer going to extremely wealthy people’s houses and listening on a top of the line amp/speaker combo, haha. But sadly that doesn’t happen for me too often. So I’m relegated to listening on my Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones through my iPhone at night. When I’m in the studio it’s on my monitor speakers.

If you had to choose one place to host your music, would you prefer Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, or … ? 

I have faith in Apple music. I think they will innovate the best user experience continually.

Do you ever feel as if your tunes are lost in a sea of music? What are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract new listeners?

The market is so saturated now that words can barely express it. When I was in college, it still felt possible to get “noticed” somehow for your talent and sign a big record deal that once it was executed you’d be given a huge budget and team of talented studio staff and business advisors/managers that all you had to do was stay in a creative mindset all the time and write. I couldn’t have been more wrong! The challenge of living in NYC and keeping up with bills makes it incredibly hard to survive as an artist as we are often put into situations where we need to invest in our careers over and over again before seeing the occasional penny thrown our way. You have to do this for love, and if you are consistent enough and can really learn from your mistakes and never stop trying in spite of negative criticism and failure, you will make it where you need to be. I believe that.

Are you playing on live stages, clubs, bars, the local town picnic, festivals?

I’m currently immersed in writing and producing for Prospect Lux and working with some really talented singers and artists both for their projects and as part of my own, so not really playing out these days.

Do you ever stream your performances over the net? Where can music lovers see you perform?

No.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and/or discover more of your music?

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram! I have grown to enjoy engaging with fans and potential collaborators through these platforms. Soundcloud is also essential because that’s where you can hear my music! My Twitter/Instagram handle is “@prospect_lux” and Soundcloud pages are https://soundcloud.com/michaelspivackmusic and https://soundcloud.com/prospect-lux

Can you share an anecdote or tale of woe or inspiration like a story about an out-of-touch club manager, your favorite fan interaction, broken busses, or you know… just some experience in your musical journey you’ll never forget?

I once was waiting to meet with a potential investor for my music in a Wall street corporate office and I heard through the waiting room door a lively conversation between two loud men. When the door finally opened, a large and stout Rabbi with a jovial face and large beard walked out laughing. He stopped and asked me why I was there and I told him I was about to show his friend some music. He put his hand on my arm and said “You have a lot of responsibility making art… Make sure that when you make the music, you put something positive in it, even if it’s about something sad. Music is like nourishment for the soul and what you put into it people will take out of it as if they are eating it. Make sure it’s good for them”. Then he wished me a goodnight and walked out. That perspective shifted the whole way I looked at what I do and still affects me today.

What’s your favorite ice cream?

Belgium Dark Chocolate

Dream vehicle?

Tour bus/camper

Sailing yacht, catamaran, bass boat, or kayak?

Yacht

Place on Earth you must visit some day?

Japan

Batman or Spiderman?

Batman

James Bond or Jason Borne?

James Bond

Bugs Bunny or Anime?

Bugs

Favorite beer or beverage of pleasure?

 Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Movie or book quote you are liable to drop at the wrong moment?

Ha, not much of a quote guy

Left with a choice of one instrument, which would you keep?

guitar  

Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?

Sometimes the biggest Cliches are the best. Be Yourself. In music, it’s that and only that that will help you grow and make it.