Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Botte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
After signing with Big Records back in August 2023, many doors have started to open. I was introduced to a music marketing and promoter named Paul Linney who was working on a project to build awareness and raise funds for an organization called “Voices Against Trafficking” or VAT. As an interesting twist, the founder of VAT, Andi Buerger, coincidentally heard my music on a BLAST Music 247 podcast and commented on how much she liked my sound.
After further discussions with Paul, my latest Alt/Pop Rock song “Radiate” was one of 30 songs selected from worldwide artists to be a part of a double CD/Digital Download going out to 190 countries as part of a charity campaign to raise awareness and funds for VAT. “Radiate” (distributed by Sony/Orchard and backed by Big Records) is all about courage, empowerment, and victory! It tells the story of recognizing blessings, using the power of the mind, and overcoming adversity!
As the chorus states: “I close my eyes and then I Radiate, I purify and then I consecrate, I may start slow but I accelerate, I close my eyes and then I Radiate!”
I am grateful that both Paul and Andi felt my song “Radiate” was worthy to represent such a wonderful cause.
Below is an article written in an amazing publication called “BIZCATALYST360”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
MUSIC BIO:
Michael Botte is a Sony/Orchard, Big Records, and Chart-Topping recording artist born and raised in a small steel town along the Ohio river outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Currently, Michael Botte resides near Philadelphia, PA. His music is currently in rotation on about 2200 worldwide radio stations.
After a few early attempts of getting a band together in Oakland, CA in the mid-2000’s, the Michael Botte Band was born in Philadelphia in 2020 during the Covid-19 quarantine. In a time of confusion and chaos, Michael Botte wanted to create something positive evoking the music that had been growing inside him for years. So, Michael Botte finally started recording demos of the songs he had written either 20 years or 20 days ago.
“Michael Botte blends multiple genres into a sound that takes you on a journey with catchy hooks and toe tapping beats. Michael Botte is making waves in the Indie music scene with his charmingly crafted sonic masterpieces. With production and mixing from Bob Beals at Sound Foundation Studios, you won’t want to miss what this melodic maestro has cooked up!” – Keltstache Music
Michael Botte’s country rock music (produced by Bob Beals of Sound Foundation Studios), has enjoyed some fanfare success:
• Currently #84 on Cashbox Magazines Top 100 Pop/Rock Chart
Charted at #1 on the World Indie Music Chart
• Charted at #3 on the Euro Indie Music Chart
• Charted at #1 (3 times) on the “Radio Indie Alliance” top 10 music chart.
• Charted at #2 and #4 on the “Banks Music Promotion” top 10 music chart
• Placed on Philadelphia’s “WDNF-Philly.com’s HOT 50 songs.”
• #13 on Hypeddit’s “Top 100 Country Charts”
• Featured artist on 102.3 WOW Radio publication
Michael Botte was also featured in the September and November 2022 issues of the UK’s “Write Away Magazine, the lyric writer’s magazine” and Divine Magazine.
Michael Botte and producer Bob Beals have tracks “in the pipeline” for 2023 and beyond so it’s safe to say it’s an exciting time for the Pittsburgh native Michael Botte!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
This is specific to indie musicians like me…the most difficult thing about being an indie musician is trying to be heard which is the absolute #1 common goal for all of us…JUST TO BE HEARD…the problem is that there are so many incredible indie musicians trying to be heard so it’s easy to get “lost in a musical wash” of songs. As an example, I released “Radiate” on 10/27/23 to all the major streaming services and on that same day, roughly 30-40,000 other musicians released a song as well. What???
My point is that I hope everyone who loves and listens to music can go and support their local music scene…buy merch, go to a show, stream music, engage on social media, etc…
There are many organizations trying to bring the indie music scene “front and center” like The International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) established by Tamanie Dove. ISSA has a deep commitment to supporting and serving independent artists. ISSA’s mission extends to encouraging aspiring and professional singers and songwriters across various music genres on a global scale.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I use the hashtag #musicismytherapy often because without music as my creative outlet, I am unsure how life would look today. Most artists I’ve encountered sometime have trouble communicating through “traditional means” but when given the opportunity to use their “art as their voice”, they can speak volumes! This is certainly me. I wrote a song about this called “I Got a Song” which is scheduled for release via Sony/Orchard on March 1st, 2024. In “I Got a Song”, I talk about using music as my way of communication but really this concept can be extrapolated to any art form. As the chorus states: “I realize that this guitar has not gotten me very far, but it helps me say what must be said. I can’t explain just how I feel, and I don’t understand what I think is real, I got a song that must be sung instead…I got a song that must be sung instead.” This chorus essentially “says it all”.
My music has a “freeing oneself from negativity” quality and I hope that my message of freedom and #musicismytherapy can resonate with people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaelbotteband.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelbotteband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelbotteband/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbotteband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSZc-fj9gg5eZ8AMCW4i4WQ
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3JijbhtGufcq0qLHCRJBgc?si=uXnWTUjLRi6IdPgpErBZ8w Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/michael-botte-band/1603992175 Big Records: https://bigrecords.world/michael-botte-band/
Image Credits
Jodi Petrillo Botte (my wife)