Sanjay Michael, a Singapore- and Sydney-based rock musician from Malaysia and Australia, aims to revive 1970s rock energy with his 2023 album Rocking Into Midnight. His latest EP, Wall Street Blues, released on July 4, 2025, features three tracks inspired by icons like AC/DC and the Rolling Stones, exploring themes of love, money, and humanity through blues rock. Self-produced with collaboration from drummers Joel Seah and Jolin Chiam, and mixed by Leonard Soosay, it highlights Michael’s goal to reestablish electric guitar-driven music’s mainstream appeal. He also reflects on his artistic growth and future project plans.
- Your musical journey, influenced by your Malaysian and Australian upbringing and presence in Singapore, evolved from classic rock inspirations to full album production. How has this multicultural background shaped your dedication to reviving the swagger and accessibility of 1970s rock in your music?
Well, I’ve always lived as a minority in whichever country I stayed in… I guess this focus to stay true to myself regardless of my surroundings applies to rock music too, since I liked it from the start and never drifted into other genres.
- How has your songwriting evolved since Rocking Into Midnight, focusing on simplicity in riffs and lyrics, as seen in the jamming sessions that produced tracks like “Baby Baby”?
I continue to chase good melodies and variations on the basic chord progressions we’re all familiar with. So sometimes the song will be simple and sometimes complex, but I always want to put a story or a truth first and build the riffs around it so that it’s one cohesive listening experience.
- Wall Street Blues began as a standalone track but evolved into an EP exploring themes of love and money. What prompted this shift to an EP format, and how does it aim to tackle “mass-market subjects” amidst the fragmentation of today’s music genres?
This came from the fact that not many people seemed to have listened to Rocking Into Midnight all the way through! Even professional reviewers didn’t… So concentrating on a few songs as a tighter vehicle seems to work better – variations among the songs but still focused rock ‘n’ roll.
- The production of the EP featured self-recording alongside selective collaborations, notably with drummers Joel Seah and Jolin Chiam, leading to a raw and concentrated sound. How did these partnerships contribute to the EP’s straightforward blues rock vibe, especially in capturing influences like B.B. King on more poignant, slower tracks such as “Who’ll Be My Friend”?
This is a good one – it took the songs into new territory as some parts were re-recorded to specifically work with the output from these sessionists… I’ve developed a friendship with Joel; I’m working with Jolin on some new stuff and; also a special mention to the keyboardist on Who’ll Be My Friend – he goes by the single name of Jun!
- With Wall Street Blues aiming to cut through genre silos and restore rock’s mainstream relevance, how do you assess its role in your broader mission to harness the irreplaceable power of electric guitars for evoking shared human experiences?
The feeling of power from the crashing electric guitars must work together with meaningful lyrics and choruses that cut through into the heart and soul… There is no other way to bring rock back to the mainstream, especially now with people crying out for good, original entertainment.
- Beyond this EP, what developments are you planning for future releases, including potential expansions in band dynamics or explorations of additional themes to further your goal of delivering rock music that resonates with diverse audiences?
Another 3-track EP is on the way! The theme is the same – to be a salt-of-the-earth storyteller on universal issues – but with a new producer and new recording techniques this one will really stand out!… As far as my live band goes, we’re a 3-piece outfit simply titled The Sanjay Michael Band and we’re gearing up from a lively year ahead.
