Melbourne-based creative Mike Waters has been on the scene for a few years now, and we though it was high-time you got to know him and his thought-provoking new single ‘I’m Doing Fine’.
Although he calls himself a “late-bloomer,” who only began writing music at the age of 26, Mike Waters has stunned the music world with his beautifully executed tunes, while using his platform to introduce both inspiring songs, while trying to incite change.
Today, he’s out with a brand new single ‘I’m Doing Fine’, which aptly arrives during a time when talking about mental health has never been more of a big issue.
“It came from me telling my own story of when I was hit by a really intense bout of deep, dark depression, that I’ve never experienced before,” Mike Waters expressed.
“I learned that the thing I needed to do to get through that was to talk to people. This song is about people who say to their friends that they are fine but on the inside they are falling apart.”
With this new song, Mike Waters showcases the roots of mental health, especially in men, with the lyrics “Keep your head up / Be strong / Don’t get emotional / Where were you when your father told you boys don’t cry?”
With the immense vulnerability that Mike Waters displays in his newest single, we though it was time you get to know the man behind the honest lyrics.
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Check out ‘I’m Doing Fine’ by Mike Waters:
How did your artist name come about?
When I was born, my parents named me Michael. My mum’s ethos around naming her kids was that she wanted a name that had a nice concise variant for day to day use, but something longer she could yell when we were in trouble, so I was Mike, for the most part.
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
Most likely over FaceTime. Possibly a regular phone call.
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
‘I’m Doing Fine’ – This song is really about how talking about your struggles with mental health is a big step on the road to solving them. Too many people still live by old toxic adages like “suck it up” and “boys don’t cry” and it often makes things worse. By talking about it you’ll quickly realise just how many other people have felt the same way and you can learn so much about how to make it through. I wanted to do my part to normalise the idea of a man admitting that he’s not doing ok.
‘Wrinkles’ – This song isn’t out yet, but it’s about my Grandpa. A little while before he passed away I got to sit down with him and my Grandma and talk with them about their lives before I knew them, and before they had my Dad. We looked through a bunch of old photos, and I couldn’t believe how young my Grandpa was. He told me he was still the same as then, just had more lines on his face now. One day you just wake up and they’re there.
Check out ‘Drowning’ by Mike Waters x Max Frost:
What do you love about your hometown?
My friends and family that still live there :)
Career highlight so far?
That time I saw Luis Guzman at a Puerto Rican club in Hollywood.
Fave non-music hobby?
I like snowboarding. I don’t do it but it looks like a cool hobby.
What’s on your dream rider?
A fresh haircut, the gentle sounds of a river on the stereo while a projector streams YouTube videos about woodworking onto the wall, Obama is there.
Check out ‘Them Dirty Bones’ by Mike Waters:
Dream music collaboration?
Guy Fieri.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Friends with Paul Rudd.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘River Of Dreams’ by Billy Joel.
What’s on the cards for the future?
- Global Warming
- President Haley Joel Osment
- Tired all the time
Check out Mike Waters:
