Miguel performs at Sonos Studio
I didn’t know who Miguel was until a few months ago when Lenny Kravitz handed him a mic at the Fonda Theare. He belted out “Let Love Rule” to a frenzied audience and I was blown away by his voice. A few days later I met him at a party in Venice next to Gjelina and was happy to tell him how I much I appreciated his impromptu performance, along with Bruno Mars, who happened to also be in the audience. So, when I heard the intimate Sonos Studio on La Brea was hosting Miguel, I knew we had to get the LaLaScoop and see Miguel perform live for more than a song.
LaLaScoop Ladies love Sonos Studios for its tiny live music space. Miguel not only can sing in a wide range of notes, but Oh My that man can dance!!! I had flashbacks of Michael Jackson, Prince, and Lenny Kravitz as he effortlessly danced to his own songs, spinning around, and at one point landing on the floor backwards. His moves were so fierce that we couldn’t help but scream in glee, especially when he came close by gyrating and throwing his shirt up to reveal his 8 pack abs!!
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Singer-Songwriter Miguel performs onstage during the SONOS Studio + PANDORA: An Evening With Miguel on July 13, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Pandora)
But what struck me most about his dynamic passionate performance and incredible songs like “coffee” and “Hollywood Dreams,” was that he seemed exactly like the guy I met in Venice – genuine and real, not some bozo self-absorbed a$$- that often can be spit out of LA on a regular basis.
His new album Wildheart seems to be a reflection of his character. The lyrics are relatable, although I am not black, hispanic, or “poor.” I am enamored with his edgy song, “what is normal anyway.”
Too proper for the black kids, too black for the Mexicans
Too square to be a hood nigga, what’s normal anyway?
Too opinionated for the pacifist, too out of touch to be in style
Too broke for the rich kids, I don’t know what normal is
What’s normal anyway? What’s normal anyway?
I mean what’s normal anyway? What’s normal anyway?
What’s normal anyway?
Be in a crowd and not feel alone, I look around and not feel alone
I never feel like I belong, I wanna feel like I belong, somewhere
Be in a crowd and not feel alone, I look around and not feel alone
I never feel like I belong, I wanna feel like I belong
Too immoral for the Christians, but too moral for the cut-throat
Too far out for the in crowd, what’s normal anyway?
Too involved in my own life to spend time with my family
Too concerned about what others think
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Singer-Songwriter Miguel performs onstage during the SONOS Studio + PANDORA: An Evening With Miguel on July 13, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Pandora)
Miguel reminds us of his REALNESS when he shares with the audience the meaning behind his latest album Wildheart…..
“The most important thing I found thus far is the worst thing we can do in life is to lead a life trying to please or appease others.” He talks about the song “whats normal way” and how he was really down “because you know how hard we can be on ourselves. I was having a weird moment and going through some challenges creatively, and on a personal note, I realized normality is such a subjective thing. Everyone has their own idea of what it is based on their circumstances and experiences, and you know, their own baggage based on what they have gone through in life.”
“It was in that moment that I realized we can really free ourselves from worrying about other people’s perceptions of us if we just take the time to figure out what the fukc we stand for, what we are willing to sacrifice, what we are not willing to sacrifice. That’s what Wildheart is all about, the individual journey, of discovering yourself, knowing yourself, reaffirming those things of what you stand for and what you believe in.”
“Thank you because you have given my message a purpose and a place. I hope more than anything it inspires you to take a moment in solitude to figure out what you really stand for and what you believe in, and what inspires you to live accordingly, honoring what you believe in and your purpose. So many people here in LA have lost themselves because they didn’t know the answers to those questions, and that is why I wrote this song, Hollywood Dreams.”
Miguel delights the audience with a electric performance at Sonos Studio. (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)
Miguel also sings with Lenny Kravitz in the song ‘face the sun’ on Wildheart. In September you can watch this Star at the Hollywood Cemetery.
For more videos and pictures of our night with Miguel at Sonos Studio, see our Insta-grams on LaLaScoop.
Guests left with a one month subscription to Pandora radio with no commercials and a code to try Sonos Play: 1 wireless speakers that stream Pandora One.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Fliers at SONOS Studio + PANDORA: An Evening With Miguel on July 13, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Pandora)
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