Delving into three years of introspection, rising star Michael Aldag’s music anthology, ‘Sorry for Everything’ offers a raw narrative intertwined with the impact of the internet on his identity. In an exclusive with Uncover Liverpool, Aldag shares the heartfelt process behind his lyrics, reflects on BBC Radio 1 support and the city’s burgeoning talent.
Uncover Liverpool: Congratulations on the release of your anthology, ‘Sorry for Everything’. Can you share with us the journey of creating the anthology and what listeners can expect from it?
Michael Aldag: Thank you so much! I have been writing this anthology for 3 years. It documents my life since I was about 19 years old. I think a lot of it deals with the internet and how intertwined my life and personality is with it. It is essentially a diary entry over some chords, it’s very personal. I hope people can find some use in some of the songs.
Uncover Liverpool: Can you tell us a bit about your songwriting process and how you approach crafting meaningful lyrics that resonate with your audience?
MD: Whilst writing ‘Sorry for Everything’ I was trying to be really honest. A lot of the songs were cathartic as they include things that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to put into words. Listening back sometimes I flinch at how open I was about things but I generally am proud of that vulnerability.
Uncover Liverpool: BBC Radio 1 has been a big supporter of your music. How does it feel to receive such recognition from a prestigious platform, and how has radio support impacted your career?
MD: It feels amazing and still very surreal whenever I get supported by them. Radio 1 have been fantastic but also Radio Merseyside have supported me since I was 14 years old uploading songs. I don’t think I would’ve made it this far without their continued support. It means so much and has been vital for my career.
Uncover Liverpool: What would you say are your favourite aspects of being a musician? Writing? being in the studio? Performing live?
MD: Writing and performing are the two things in the world that I get a true buzz from. I love performing and have done a lot of it in the past year which I am very grateful for. At the moment I am writing more for my next project and have immersed myself in that new world, I feel 16-years-old again, limitless creativity – it feels fantastic.
Uncover Liverpool: Which Liverpool city region acts are you excited about? Who should we be listening to right now, apart from yourself of course!
MD: The city is buzzing with up and coming talent at the moment! KOJ is definitely someone to look out for, he has a project coming soon I believe and he has a lot to say in a very unique way, I’m a big fan of his. Also STONE have a new project coming too which I’m very much looking forward to hearing!
Uncover Liverpool: Looking ahead to the future, what are your long-term goals and aspirations for your music career, and what do you hope to achieve next?
MD: At the moment I am just focused on getting as many people as possible to hear ‘Sorry for Everything’ and beyond that I’m looking forward to the festivals I get to play this summer. And of course finishing the new project I mentioned. I have a tour for ‘Sorry for Everything’ coming up in October around the UK which should be really fun. I can’t wait to sing the new songs live and see if people like them. I am nervous but very excited too! The dates for the tour are below. Longer term I would love to do an arena tour but truly I would just love to keep creating and performing for a living, I would be so happy with that.
Stream Michael Aldag’s ‘Sorry for Everything’ now.
Michael Aldag Autumn 2024 Tour Dates
Huddersfield, Parish – 1st October
Glasgow, Stereo – 2nd October
Manchester, Gorilla – 3rd October
Sheffield, Foundry – 6th October
Leicester, Academy 2 – 7th October
London, Scala – 10th October