We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Botte and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michael, what makes you happy? Why?
Making music makes me happy. The creative process is something that separates us from other life forms and creating a song out of nothing e.g. “ex nihilo” is such an exiting and rewarding endeavor. I use the hashtag #musicismytherapy as often as possible to show that not only can making music make me happy, but also allows me to cope with all the struggles that life has to offer.
My latest Alt/Pop Rock single “Radiate” speaks to “#musicismytherapy” because the song is all about courage, empowerment, and victory! It tells the story of recognizing blessings, using the power of the mind, and overcoming grief.
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!”
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In the “real world”, I am a Director of Sales for a large multi national Life Science Company. I studied hard to get my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and my MBA from the University of Phoenix. I traveled for work for most of my career but when Covid quarantine hit in early 2020, that’s when I finally had the time to get “serious” about music and started the “Michael Botte Band” as we know it today. I had never recorded a note in my life prior to 2020 so I devoured information on recording and producing music via YouTube videos.
In 2021, I released a self-produced EP called “Radiate” but after I met my music producer Bob Beals from Sound Foundation Studios, I took that EP down and Bob and I started re-working the songs together. Our collective output is way better than me as a “solo” act. We have released 6 songs to date and one of our songs “Beautiful Day” charted at #1 on the World Music Indie Chart and #3 on the Euro Indie Music Chart. The stakes have now changed and I recently signed with a record company called “Big Records” at age 53!
The moral of the story is that you can teach an old dog new tricks and that its never too late to try and pursue a dream. If a 53 year old suburban corporate executive dad can chart at #1 and sign with a record company, anyone can do it!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live just outside of Philadelphia…
Gotta run… or maybe walk up… the “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and take a picture with the one and only Rocky Balboa Statue.
Grab a late lunch down in old city at maybe one of Stephen Starr’s restaurants like the Continental Diner.
Head down to the Delaware River waterfront at Penns Landing and chill with a drink and some people watching.
Later on grab a bite at another one of Stephen Starr’s restaurants El Vez and then hit the town for some local live music at World Cafe Live or the Filmore.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I first started this musical journey, I knew I would have people behind me for support. Thats why I chose to use “Michael Botte Band” as opposed to “Michael Botte”. I wanted to “pluralize” the name to reflect the selfless people “behind the scenes”.
I would be nowhere without my mentor, friend, and music producer Bob Beals from Sound Foundation Studios. His 40+ years in the music industry are exactly what I needed to create a solid product that is easy on the ears. Like any producer, he gets the best out of the artist and the music. I owe a huge portion of my success to Bob!
Website: https://www.michaelbotteband.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelbotteband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbotteband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelbotteband/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSZc-fj9gg5eZ8AMCW4i4WQ
Other: https://bigrecords.world/michael-botte-band/