A truly talented individual, Michelle Creber is no stranger to an audience, need it be on stage or screen. With half a dozen albums to her name, numerous TV credits, several inclusions on film soundtracks, an ever-growing following across social media platforms and her latest single “False Empire” out now, 2020 is, despite a certain virus wreaking havoc, looking like a great year for her. PopWrapped caught up with her to talk artistic inspirations, her views on the incredible power of music and what she’s still wanting to tick off her bucket list.
Who were your artistic influences growing up and have they changed much at all over the years?
Michelle Creber: My artistic influences growing up were Sara Bareilles, Queen, Abba, musical theatre and well, quite honestly, music of all genres. I was born into a family of professional musicians so one hour I would be hearing my dad play an amazing jazz or classical piece on the grand and the next I’d be watching my mom teach top 40 pop to a classroom of students. My eclectic taste in music and appreciation for all styles certainly hasn’t changed. If you put my whole iTunes library on shuffle, you’d be taken on a ride.
Who or what most inspires the music you make?
MC: Although many of my songs end up being about something personal and emotionally pressing to me in the moment, I try my best to draw inspiration from anyone and anything. I turn to objects, and stories, and strangers, and places, and elements and well, the list is endless. Sounds sort of airy fairy but it’s true. One of the best songs I wrote as a teenager was inspired by an olympics skiing poster I had on my wall!
Is there a story behind your latest single “False Empire” and what do you want listeners to take from the song when they hear it?
MC: The inspiration behind the message of this song may be obvious to some, but more abstract to others. If I were to sum it up, I would say that our current society consists of some very selfish, very greedy people, and that the value of truth and empathy seems to have diminished. People are divided and angry. Some wish to see the world move forward, others fight to keep things the same. However, at the same time as the disagreements and tensions are so prevalent, there is also an overwhelming sense of unity building. People are joining together in outspoken support of justice, equality, peace and truth. I want this song to remind people that each and every one of their voices matter, and that good will prevail over evil. The truth always comes out…eventually.
You’ve a considerable social media following and have racked up more than 40 million views of your songs so far. Taking all that into account, how do you personally feel about social media?
MC: I think social media is great for connecting people and getting to communicate with others around the world that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to communicate with. It has its downsides, of course, but I think when used responsibly, it can not only expand your perspective on the world and other cultures, it can allow you to really make a difference in many more people’s lives.
Do you believe it would be or is at all possible for a band or artist to achieve success without having the connectivity that the likes of Twitter offer?
MC: I feel like success is very relative. In today’s day and age, it seems that “fame” is now a popular definition of success, especially in the arts. But honestly, I think if you are making a solid and consistent living doing something that you are passionate about, and that you have mastered both the business and artistic side of things, you are already successful!
Do you care much for critical and artistic acclaim like that or are you more someone who just makes music because they enjoy it and hopes for others to like it too?
MC: Expanding on what I said above, I think acclaim and success is what you define it as. I’m very proud of the work I do and the music I create and very thankful for the fanbase I already have, but I am also an overachiever and an extremely hard worker. I have my sights set high, but what drives me forward is my love for making music and my hope that others will connect to it.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has said or written about you, and how do you handle any negative comments that might come your way, especially in this age of social media and connectivity?
MC: The most powerful thing music can do is improve or save people’s lives. I have been so lucky to be on the receiving end of comments like “this song got me through an extremely dark time” or “this song inspired me to be a better person” for many years now. It is so heavy but so special and you just have to do everything in your power to take that in and appreciate it. In terms of negative comments, I just chuckle and move on.
Away from music, you’re an actor and have appeared on several prime time shows including Supernatural and Eureka. Of all the roles you’ve played, which might you say has been your favourite?
MC: I was a regular character on a CBC/Netflix series called Strange Empire and that was SUCH a fun and unique experience. The show was set in 1869 and my character got to ride horses, shoot slingshots, do stunt work, ride on stagecoaches, fight, etc etc. The only downside was wearing a corset for hours on end every day, especially in the summer heat!
If you could work with one actor and director, living or dead, who would you choose and what kind of project would you create together?
MC: I would work with Steve Carell on a comedy movie – that is definitely the dream!
You recorded a duet with Billy Joel for the movie Just The Way You Are. As a big fan of his, I have to ask, what was it like to work with such an iconic artist?
MC: Unfortunately my vocals were recorded in Vancouver so I never met him but it was such an honour to be hired for that duet! I have so much respect for his work and his lyrics and am a big fan as well.
Do you have a preference regarding which art form you love the most or are you just appreciative of the fact that you get to do both?
MC: I am just appreciative of the fact that I get to do both, that I get to do everything I do, really. I have always been a big believer in versatility and not limiting yourself into one tiny box. Juggling everything can be challenging but when the balance is right, it is truly a blessing.
Has the Corona Virus outbreak affected any of your plans for the rest of the year and how are you handling the ‘lockdown’ that so many of us have been put under? What are you using the time to do and enjoy?
MC: Well, considering the fact that it is likely everyone will have to isolate for quite a while longer, all the plans have changed. At least for the first half of the year. All the TV/film projects have been put on hold, no travelling, no dancing, no music video shoots, no live shows, no even going to see friends… it’s all postponed. I truly have nothing to complain about and consider myself incredibly lucky compared to what so many others have to deal with. I have my amazing family, my dog, my two ferrets, my home studio, the great outdoors and a lot of work to do from home! My parents and I have been coaching people online and we’ve even converted our living room into a performance space for live-streamed concerts. However I am an extrovert, so I am certainly missing people.
Finally then, as a multi-talented individual, what’s left on your bucket list for you to achieve? What would you have to do to look back on your life 100% content, or are you at that place and time already?
MC: Oh man, that’s a loaded question, but a good one! There is sooo much I still want to do in life. My ambitions are driven by my desire to make a positive difference and I hope to get to a place where I will be in a position to help more people. I have been fortunate to have travelled a lot already, but there is still so much to see. I have done many adventurous things already, but I still need to go skydiving, do the longest zipline in the world, go scuba diving etc, etc. I may have already written a hundred songs but I have hundreds if not thousands left in me. I don’t think I’ll ever be 100% content because there is always more to do and see and write and experience, but if I died tomorrow, I would look back very proud and satisfied by the life I have lived so far.
Check out “False Empire” below and for more information on Michelle Creber, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
