Meet Michael Angelo Talignani | Singer/Songwriter & BFA student at Calarts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Angelo Talignani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael Angelo, why did you pursue a creative career?
The reason I pursued a career in singing and songwriting is simple: because without this art form, i truly believe that I would perish, if not having already gone insane first. For example, even if nothing comes from this beautiful passion to have, I know that it will be the one constant part of my life that I will continue to do, even as an old man who can barely move his fingers (which hopefully will not be the case!)

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Singing and songwriting is one of the very first vivid memories I actually have. For instance, I was in a hotel bathroom at a vacation spot once known as Mandalay Bay, and i’ll never forget being maybe 4 or 5 years old singing, “There she was just a-walkin’ down the street, singin’ ‘Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do'” by Manfred Mann in the shower. Only a decade later would I come to realize how abnormal of a memory it is to have. Not many people will answer the question, “What’s the first song you ever remember singing in the shower?”

What set’s me apart from other artists in the music field are quite a few things I believe. The first is that I play every single instrument one hears in a typical rock band: Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboard, and Drums. Not only can I play them, but I play them very well. Another divider is that I literally think about music and songwriting all day every day. Without it, I would be in an insane asylum. Finally, every song I put out I like to think of as being a “one hit wonder” or single on it’s own. I will never release what is known as a “filler” (songs that are meant to fill the space of an album) ever. Was it easy? No way. It takes patience, resilience, the willingness to not give up in the face of many naysayers or “realists” as well as sacrificing friendships, romantic relationships, and lots of practice in all of the above.

The only way i’ve overcome all the challenges involved is simply because of my love for it. If you have the love for it, that outweighs any of the negatives tenfold.

Some lessons I’ve learned along the way are that cliches are cliches for a reason. Like “Don’t ever give up” because although it may take a while, you really never know when you’ll get your lucky break. It’s not even luck, it’s all the hardwork and effort you put in to increase your chances of that “lucky” break.

I wan’t the world to know that you’re not alone, if you’ve ever felt heartbroken, sad, or worthless and useless, I have too. The flip side will reveal itself eventually, and on that side is nothing but beauty.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First thing I would do is take them to Calarts in Valencia. Show them my university and all the history in it. Next, I would take them to Docs Inn on Lyons ave half a mile away because what’s better than a nice dive bar to get hungover at?

The next day, would be the hangover cure at the Weighstation in Newhall. Go for the Chris Special and coffee. Hangover, gone…

Then, it’d be time to show them the streets of Hollywood, and especially the bar Loaded. Be careful not to get too wasted there though. They’re not blackouts, they’re “time traveling”.

I’d make sure to drive them on the 14 freeway heading North, and exit on Placerita Cyn. Rd. and turn right to go all the way up the beautiful Angeles Mountains at night time. Drive slow, and watch the curves. But at the tip top you have the most gorgeous view known to man. I used to brings my lady friends over this way because it’s so beautiful up there. Finally, I’d let them stay at my moms place on Wildwood Cyn Rd and kick it in the garage like old times. Drinking beer and listening to good music never fails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Robert Pineda. In a world growing up without a father or that of a positive role model, this man is the only person I can call just that, a father. There weren’t too many people in my life who ever supported me chasing my dreams of creating music, let alone creating music for a career. However, Robert always showed me love in times of my life where I needed it the most. Without that, who knows where I woulds be today or if I’d even be alive. When it came to getting my acceptance letter for Calarts, this man is the one and only who made me feel as if something I was doing actually mattered. Thank you Robert.

Website: https://emptyangelo.wixsite.com/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empty_angelo_music/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matalignani/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCziLKvOPzDHmPokYU9fzGLg

Other: bandcamp: https://emptyangelo.bandcamp.com/album/strange-things-e-p soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/emptyangelo Youtube 2 https://www.youtube.com/@emptyangelomusic spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/ot8qxr981xg4rbwwaldvqurm0