MiG answers the questions from the Live Chat!

Thank you all so very much for joining me on the live chat on gather the other day (April 9). I am sorry I couldn’t answer all your questions, so this is why I’m writing this now.

I tried to post some responses to the original chat, but after losing a couple of very lengthy replies, I have decided to just start a new article and answer it all in bulk.

So here we go:

Lily  K. asks:

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you leave this earth?

I want people to realise what I've be trying to say all my life: Live with love for your fellow man. Compassion, forgiveness and peace are the only ways to settle any dispute. I hope my songs and my example inspire people to live in a very positive and loving way.

Where do you go mentally and emotionally when you are singing? (i notice you drift somewhere)

Wherever the songs takes me.

-where do you get your strength from, when things are not going as you hoped?

I lean on my wife, my constant rock of support, and my family. I also have a pig-headed determination to remain optimistic about things even when all the facts are saying the exact opposite.

-who inspires YOU?

More like 'what' inspires me: passion, intelligence, kindness, talent, beauty, love, selflessness, brilliance...

- do you have a place you go or something you do, to unwind, or to when you need to think?

I jog, or sit on the beach and watch the sunset...or sunrise.

- I’ve read personal fitness is something you are into, how often do you exercise and what type of exercise do you do?

I exercise a little every day. Either jog, or go to the gym or to yoga or just sit-ups and push ups in my hotel room. the best way to start the day.

- Now that you live in Los Angeles, what are some of the things that you miss the most about London, and or Australia? Do you often get 'homesick'?

About London: The architecture, the hustle and bustle, the cutlure, the theatre, the vibe, my friends

About Australia: My family, the life-style, the beaches, the warmth of the people, the coolness that is Sydney. Sydney is still to me the most beautiful city in the world and will always be home.

- What do you enjoy doing when you are not 'working'?

Sleeping and eating.

- If you weren't able to pursue singing, acting, what other field do you think you'd be interested in?

Architecture and design...?

- What embarrasses you?

Being caught out.

- Is going back to theatre, whether West End or maybe Broadway, a possibility you keep open?

Yes. Am considering an offer right now.

- When it comes to the material you have been writing for future albums, how would you best describe the genre it falls into?

Acoustic rock/soul.

- Is there any career decision that you have made in the past 2 years that you feel was possibly a mistake?

I should have gone back to WE WILL ROCK YOU for at least a few months after ROCKSTAR, but I was told I would not have the time as I would be recording straight away… hmmmm….It would have set us up financially so much better... Also, choosing to sing a ballad for an original song on ROCKSTAR:INXS was a bad decision. It still plagues me. I need therapy.

- Of all the people you have met since Rockstar, is there any one person who has impacted your life substantially? Who?

There have been many heroes in my life recently, but I must say Matthew Wilder has been my constant source of support and inspiration. He has stood by my side at the toughest times and has been my greatest ally. I could never have done this without him.

- Do you ever go back and read the comments that are left after you blog on myspace?

Sometimes.

-your brown boots, are those your 'walking shoes' ?

Those boots aren't made for walking...no laces! I just like them. I will wear them until they explode.

and I guess I'm also asking, how often are your original songs personal, about you?

Always. except for SHE LOVED, which is about a fictitious affair gone awol.

Dale O. asks:

How different is (THRILLER LIVE) than anything else you have done? With so little rehearsal time, I hope it doesn't feel like RockStar. And how do you learn the songs so quickly?

We are changing the show every night. It’s more like a workshop in front of an audience. The goal is to have a show that is rock solid and entertaining by the end of the tour.

Sophia K. asks:

When are you coming to Seattle? *Just HAD to get that one in there!* Haha!! 

When will the songs that didn't make it on your debut album be available for download (Day After Day, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Have You Ever Seen The Rain & Someone Saved My Life Tonight) and what was that you said in a MySpace bulletin about "Ordinary Man" possibly being a BONUS on the CD??? Did you mean as a download since the CD is already out?

They are bonus tracks that could appear either as iTunes exclusives or versions that are sold in various different  stores, such as WAL*MART, or Best Buy. That is to be decided by Decca.

Would you ever consider playing Galileo in a movie version of WWRY?

I would love to play Galileo in the film version, but doubt if they’ll cast me, as I can get away with playing a 17 year old on stage, but close ups on film tell a different story!

Brandy C. asks:

I just wanted to ask what it was like working with Brian May & Roger Taylor, and how you feel about your whole We Will Rock You experience.

They are living legends and to work with them was a dream come true. I never wanted to leave WWRY, but couldn’t refuse ROCKSTAR: INXS. It was the greatest job I’ve ever had.

Sarah S. asks:

What age did you start writing songs?

I think I wrote my first complete song when I was 12, but was tinkering with little own compositions when I was 10.

What's your favorite musical you've ever seen and what's your favorite show you've been in?

I think WEST SIDE STORY is the greatest musical ever written but I like being in WE WILL ROCK YOU and RENT the best.

How do you get through tough times?

I lean a lot on my wife. She is my rock of Gibraltar! We are a good team. I have a great family support base and I also have a lot of faith in the positive. Even at the hardest of times, I illogically remain positive. I have to, or I will crumble. The hard times always pass, no matter how hard or how long they seem to be. I just knuckle down and do the best of the situation. I guess that comes from experience. When you are young and hit hard times, you think it’s the end of the world. When you get older, you realize that there are always solutions that present themselves at the right time. I just hold on until they do.

Kelsea W. asks:

I love your originals ,especially the more hard rocksongs like "Do or die". Any more hardrock songs like that on future CD's?

 Toni T. asks:

Is there any chance you will be putting any of you older songs on a cd? I love the older songs as much as the new ones!

There are older songs I have which I have always been very fond of. If they are still in my top 15 of songs by the time we start recording the 2ndalbum, of course they’ll be there…which ones are your favourites? I’d really like to know.

 Jennifer S. asks:

If you had the chance to collaborate with any of your fellow Rockstar housemates which one would you pick and why?

Wow. Couldn’t choose just one, because they’re all quite different, and I am a huge fan of them all. I would do a ballad with Suzie McNeil, a balls out rock track with Jordis, a new wave rock track with Marty, a bluesy rock track with Brandon, an acoustic track with Wil, anything with Deanna and everything with Ty!

Peyton N.asks:

I was just wondering what your daily regimen is for keeping that hot bod of yours?

Thanks for noticing (shucks!). Well, I watch what I eat ALL the time. I have eliminated as much fat out of my diet as possible, increased my protein intake and limit my carbs after lunch. I also try to eat an early dinner whenever possible so that I don’t bring all that food to bed with me. When I wake up I go to the gym or a jog or do yoga or just sit-ups and light weights. I don’t go for long, but the key I’ve found is to do at least something every day. It’s  a great way to start your day, boost your metabolism and makes you enjoy breakfast so much more.

Kelsea W.asks:

Will the she loved vid be on you tube later ?If not where will I see it?

It will eventually end up on youtube I’m sure, but we will be releasing it exclusively through mig-music.com, so stay tuned…

Rose C.asks:

Did you ever get your jacket from junker?

Not yet! Guiliana has finished it but we have to get our act together and actually meet up to exchange! I AM SO SORRY I HAVEN’T HAD THE CHANCE TO PICK IT UP. Please don’t feel as though I don’t appreciate it. I love JUNKER stuff and can’t wait to get it. Thank you NBS (the Numb Butt Sisters)!

Gracie M.asks:

MiG - is it hard for you to sit in the audience and watch WWRY and not be on stage?

To be honest, I would love to do the show again, but I’ve been having such a great time enjoying the show, it’s been fun being an audience member for a change.

Jennifer S.asks: 

Did you see Inxs when they where at the House Of Blues?

No. I’ve seen them many times though.

"I might put in the old ones. They are very dear to me. Let me know what your faves are". Yaaaaaaaaaay, oh, sorry. I have only heard a handful, but off the top of my head I would say I Am The One, Nothing You Do, Move On, It Could Happen To you.

Speaking of Inxs. MiG have you been to any Inxs Concerts? Do you and JD keep in touch a lot?

I saw INXS gig early 2006 at the Gibson Ampitheatre in LA, and I supported them in Manila, mid 2006. JD & I called each other several times after the show, but it’s been hard since we are both so busy and so all over the place. Email is the only way to really keep in touch, but he is the worst emailer of all of us!

Brandy C. asks:

MiG, my new favorite song right now is Could It Be, I absolutely adore it, it has come to me at a time in my life where a lot of changes are taking place and I thank you so much for such a beautiful song that has been bringing me alot of comfort. Also let me say really quickly that one of my fondest memories of catching the Queen + Paul Rodgers show in Vegas last April was getting to meet you; you were sitting about 3 rows down from me, and I will never EVER forget how kind and gracious you & your lovely wife were to my friend & I, thanks to both you and Simmy for being so wonderful!

Brandy! I remember meeting you too. Such a great concert, I was so moved at how brilliant they were. I am so touched you like COULD IT BE. I am very proud of the song. It speaks a lot about how I feel about my life and how I relate to the rest of the world. I am glad you can get so much out of it too.

Nancy M. wrote:

HOLLA!!! One Sunset At a Time!! My fave!!

MiG...is your head spinning from all of this yet!! LOL!!

Wanda W.wrote:

My faves of your "old" originals are After You've Gone Away, All I Ever Wanted, I Am The One, Blown Away, See You Smile, Send Down the Angels and, of course, Home In Me. I also love the rockin' Nothing You Do and Do Or Die. I too love One Sunset At a Time and Ordinary Man, I get teary when I listen to Ordinary Man. It's just such a beautiful song.

Thank you Wanda. I am making the list, so keep them coming! So glad you like ORDINARY MAN. It’s a creeper.

Jennifer S.asks:

So for those of us not able to make it to Toronto for the Premiere how was opening night of WWRY?

Electrifying. I think it’s the best overall cast I’ve ever seen. Suzie McNeil ROCKS!

Kelsea W. asks:

I'm a big hard rock fan.That's part of why I loved you on rockstar( the fact that you are cute ,and humble didn't hurt).I've only heard one big sky unplugged (love it!!),but my question is this.Is it a hader rock song?

I wouldn't say ONE BIG SKY is a hard rock song, but it certainly rocks! I’ll have to post it again on myspace for you.

Aleck P.asks:

How is Thriller Live? I saw your sked at your great myspace page... its real hectic! What Michael Jackson songs are "assigned" to ya? :)

They’ve got me singing SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE, BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR and DIRTY DIANA, but it changes all the time. Who’d have thought I’d be doing a Michael Jackson concert show? Let me make this clear, I am not impersonating him. Just singing his songs as MiG. The schedule is really hectic and they are cramping us into the tiniest tour bus I’ve ever seen. That’s the worst part about this job. The bus is damn awful.

Karen B. writes:

Hi Mig-Ster! Rockermomma , here. I've listened to some mp3's of your Thriller Live show....you sound.....MIGGGGGGGG-TASTIC!!!! Are ya learning some MJ moves??? uh...well, never mind on the Moon walk, but, the Steps? haha.......You sound AWESOME, Blood on the Dance floor and Dirty Diana.....RAWK'N! :) I wanna hear some 'idgy' (as Kirk would say) on your 2nd CD along with your ballads! :) xxoooo WE MISS YOU!

Rockermomma! HA ‘Idgy’! Definitely agree with you there. As for the moon walk, that’s an old party trick of mine. That, I can do. The other stuff, not so much.

Toni T. asks:

I am curious about the MiGnition Project. What are the songs on it and will they be available?

The ‘MiGnition Project’ was just a want for a better name of a 4 track cd I recorded that I was going to sell on my web site. It was only meant to be just that, because so many people asked me if I had a cd to sell, because I wasn’t on the original WE WILL ROCK YOU soundtrack. However, when I got together with these guys to record in London, the vibe was so immediate and cool, that we talked about forming a band and doing gigs. Three weeks later, I auditioned for ROCKSTAR:INXS and that was that. I still have the recordings. I love them but they need to be remixed. I might release them through my web site should there be a demand…who knows?

Samantha J. asks:

How do you see yourself and what do you hear in your music? One more question, what type of music would you ideally like to include on your next CD?

I see myself as a very lucky man that has been blessed with good fortune . What do I hear in my music? HITS, BABY! For my next CD I hope to include all original material in an organically raw rock/soul vibe. I’d like to go harder, but can’t resist a beautiful ballad.

Nancy M. asks:

Hey MiG....Who/what is your dream team? Who would you love to tour with...and how likely is it? Dorian, Darryl?

My Dream Team:

Darryl Beaton (keyboards/vocals)

Carl Dimataga (guitar) or Simon Pinto!

Dorian Cheah (guitar/violin)

Jonathan Maron (bass)

David Halpern (drums)

If however they couldn’t make it, the ROCKSTAR HOUSE BAND would be just fine!

Louise O. asks:

What are some weird things that have happened during your career, apart from talking to feral cats and sneaking across boarders in keyboard cases? lol

Competing to be the front man of a super group in front of a world wide television audience  while being held captive in a mansion overlooking Los Angeles was kinda weird…

Mary Beth C. asks:

Do you know when your next concert tour will be announced? We fans need lots of time to put in for days off.

I hope soon. I promise to let you know as soon as I do. Again, stay tuned to mig-music.com.

Kay M. asks:

Hey MiG,

When you say you'd like to go more bluesy, soulful and toward raw acoustic rock on your next CD, does your version of Hard to Handle at McCarthy's in Cleveland fit that description? I loved it.

Kind of, except that I didn’t write it. I have to thank Wade Williams for work-shopping that with me!

Lily K. asks:

What was the name of your very first song you ever wrote, recorded or not?

ENDLESS NIGHT. Very corny… but cool for a 12 year old.

Amy E. wrote:

I want to hear you sing "Try a Little Tenderness" SOMETHING awful one day!! Would you consider it?! :)

Lizzie O. asks:

How often do you Google "MiG Ayesa"? :D Just curious.

I did it a couple of times and it scared the hell out of me. Some people can be so brutal! However I got a kick out of Googling  ‘MiG’ images and found my face on the first page, surrounded by a whole bunch of Soviet fighter planes. Very funny!

Mary Beth C. wrote:

That is an awesome song Ames! I would love to see Blown Away, Do or Die, Nothing You Do, Home in Me, Send Down the Angels, ONe Big Sky and One Sunset at a Time and like a child's first Step on the next CD and

I would love One Big Sky to be the theme for the next Olympics.

It would make a great anthem for the Olympics….! Let’s hook it up, people!!

Lily K. wrote:

I have a couple teens that would happily play the tune for you and you can sing! lol! a big HI from the kiddies!

Milo, Ali, Jessica, Diego, and Johnny =)

Amy E. asks:

Did you get to meet Marc Broussard in Louisiana on your Hard Rock Tour? He's a great blues/rock singer... I wish I could have been there.

Marc Broussard blows my mind. One of the most awesome singers I’ve ever heard. Such an honour to meet him. So sweet and humble, and his beautiful wife is expecting I think their 3rd child. Amazing!

Kim B.asks:

1. I read in an article (long, long time ago...in a galaxy far, far away - sorry, I'm digressing!) about a Salvation Army Benefit you did, and in the article you talked about stuttering as a child. I hope I'm remembering this right, because I could not find it again to re-check my memory. Anyhoo, I was wondering how you overcame it, or if you still "work" on it. I was, I guess I still am - because I have to work on it, a stutterer. I found that getting into theater helped me tremendously as a child.

As you found, doing theatre helped my stutter. When I sang or performed a script, my stuttering disappeared. I truly conquered my stutter myself, with the help of performing. When I performed, I felt normal, and not a freak like I did when I stuttered. It was my magic. My stuttering is cured.

2. How do I get my 9 year old to button up his shirts? (He tells me, well MiG doesn't button up his shirts!).

Oops! Well, you can tell him there is a time and place for everything. I always button my shirts. It’s only on stage sometimes, it seems appropriate to let it all hang out, when the spirit takes you… or when you go to the beach.

3. How's Simmy? I know she has been a great asset for you and your life. My mom even commented on how impressed she was of her when we met you guys in Atlanta. (Of course, you know how my little girl is impressed with her as well - she sends her love!) Is her career on hold, or does she have some things in the works soon?

Simmy has just received her legal US working permit, so she has just started to audition. She has an agent in Los Angeles and New York, and is excited to start getting work for herself. I have officially de-commissioned her as my touring manager!

4. I was really impressed how you declined getting a tattoo when the tat artist came to the rockstar mansion. Was that for religious reasons or a personal reason, or just because you don't want to put any unecessary markings on such a terrific body! :)

No religious reason. I just think there is nothing more beautiful than naked skin. I am not against tattoos on other people, but unless there is a truly poignant reason to scar your skin, I see no need for them for me. I have enough trouble deciding what shirt to wear for the day, let alone a mark I have to wear for the rest of my life.

Kay M.asks:

How do you go about writing a song?

There is no one way. Every song starts its life differently. Sometimes the melody comes first. Sometimes it’s the chords. It could be a word that grabs my imagination or an idea or inspiration from stories I hear or something that I am passionate about. Every song writing session is a new journey.

What is kare kare and what's in it?

I guess the best way to describe it is like a Filipino satay curry. It has a peanut based sauce. It is usually cooked with pork but modern incarnations (which I prefer because it has less fat) have been cooked with seafood. I garnish it with bagoong (a salty fishy paste made of micro shrimps). So gooooooood!

Well I hop that’s covered most of the unanswered questions of the night. I look forward to doing this all again. It’s been a pleasure to chat with you on gather. Make sure you stay tuned to mig-music.com for the latest MiG news.

Goodnight from England (in Manchester at the moment!).

Always love,

MiG

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