‘These songs are a collection of my favorite collaborations with Jim (Trainor) from the past five or so years.’, says Michael Lucas about the delicious five Power Pop bangers that can be found on the ‘5,000 lb Max.’ EP, which was released earlier this year.

What was the moment you knew you were on to something?

From the moment Jim Trainor, the singer on this record, sent me a vocal idea for the first song I ever submitted to the collaboration website, Kompoz.com. His vocal melodies and harmonies are incredible. Since then, we have collaborated on many songs, with me playing guitar and keyboards on some of his music, and using his vocals on my music.

How did this record come together?

These songs are a collection of my favorite collaborations with Jim from the past five or so years. They were saved on my computer, and I decided maybe I should just release them. So, I contacted some of my favorite players from the Kompoz.com website and remixed them for the record.

The meaning of success has changed over the years. What would success look like for the new record?

You got that right! When I began playing in bands in the late 1980s, it was unheard of to release quality, radio-ready music to the general public without a record contract. For me, success is having my music heard by more than my friends and family. The ability to work with musicians from all over the world right from my apartment in Chicago is amazing. So, to write, record, mix, and master my own record and release it on all music streaming platforms is success, to me.

You can pick 3 co-writers to write new songs with. Who? … and Why?

Nick Bertling, Tom Curless, and if I could choose one from the grave, it would be Chris Cornell.

Nick is a great musician, goofball, and mixer. I have begged him to collaborate before and I am doing it right here, again!

I mastered Tom Curless’s last record, Person of Interest, and I listen to that record a lot. He and I share the same musical influences so it would be fun to see what a collaboration would sound like.

And, Chris Cornell is probably my biggest influence from the 90s. His voice, melodies, and unique guitar tunings and riffs just give me goosebumps. I was really sad when I heard he died. I had just seen him in Chicago on his solo acoustic tour a year or two before he died. I still listen to his entire catalog still, all the time.

Cassettes are back. Which 5 five songs would make your first mixtape?

Limelight (Rush) – that guitar solo!!
Killing in the Name Of (Rage Against the Machine)
Tompkins Square Park (Mumford & Sons)
Steppin’ Out (Joe Jackson)
Outshined (Soundgarden)