Tell us a little about your musical upbringing. Were you always interested in music?
It’s quite interesting because my pursuit of music started from my love of percussion, drum set, and performing with competitive drumlines. Funny enough, considering that most of what I make now is beatless music. If you listen closely to the details of my compositions, you can slightly feel a pulse and tempo even though there are no distinct drum patterns to be recognized.
I was greatly interested in music, especially now more than ever because I have learned a lot more about collaboration and working with other like-minded artists, though my styles have changed over the years ranging from chill electronica and lounge music to now producing what’s to be known as cinematic ambient music.
Briefly tell us what has been your music background and history up to this point?
I have been involved in the music industry for over 15 years, ranging from musical composition, production, private lessons, music administration, website, artwork, and video design. I began my artist career with my breakout electronica EP entitled Best Served Chilled which I released in the summer of 2015 on World Relaxation Day. In 2022, my inception with ambient music began with the release of my Serenity Soundscapes EP which features renowned singers like Megi Angelova, Celica Soldream, Lara Ausensi, and Nelly Monk.
From there, I have designed a multitude of projects that spread from all around the world far and wide with many different artists, composers, singers, record labels, and engineers. Also having the honor and pleasure of being featured in magazines, playlists, and blogs that span to the love of Ambient and Meditative selections. Last but not least, having my music featured on ambient music’s favorite radio program "Rivulets & Reveries" over 13 times.
Who are your musical influences? (any genre).
My musical influences range from a wide variety of artists from Hans Zimmer, Thomas Newman, James Horner, and most importantly Ivan Torrent, who sparked my interest in developing my craft for cinematic music and working with singers. Lauge was the artist who got me inspired and drawn into ambient music.
What led you to pursue ambient music as a genre?
It began in the early stages of 2020, when the virus Covid 19 was breaking out and fortunately enough I ended up losing my job which turned into a blessing in disguise. During this, I took full advantage of going for long walks, enduring meditation sessions, and gathering much-needed prayer time. This happened to lead me into a more somber and intrapersonal direction with my playlist selections and musical creations. I randomly came across Lauge in a playlist called Compositional Ambient and I instantly fell in love with all things ambient.
What genres of electronic music have you, (or will you) be working in? (ambient, dark ambient, etc.)
At the moment, I am very geared towards the liking of anything cinematic and immersive. Whether that has to do with space ambient, dark ambient, or even creating evil dystopian atmospheres with intense sound design. I am all about it! In the future, I plan on bringing back my old soul with chill electronica and lounge music, while also stepping into the field of impactful trailer music and haunted horror atmospheres for major motion picture films. Furthermore, I would like to participate in the musical creations of Cirque De Soleil and many other crowd-pleasing performances.
You seem to do a lot of collaborations with other artists, tell me how those come about? And if you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
A lot of my engagements take place through social media. Mainly through Instagram by the arrangement of direct messages which takes place after I have engaged with the artist that I tend to vibe with. If I see that they are pretty receptive to liking my content and material, I will usually send them a message and then synch up for a collaborative opportunity. Usually, if they are pretty friendly with engaging in my content, you can bet that they are likely to collaborate.
My number one choice would have to be Ivan Torrent who happens to be a very big artist that I engage a lot of ideas from. Especially when it comes to the collaborations that stem from working with singers. Of course, from an ambient standpoint, I would love to work with Lauge, Matt Tondut, We Dream of Eden, Antarctic Wastelands, Good Weather for An Airstrike, Retland, Antent, Øneheart, Atrium Carceri, and God Body Disconnect.
What is your “go-to” studio gear? What hardware, synths, VSTs, and effects can you not live without?
My go-to’s would have to be my Cubase Recording Software and my Yamaha Music Production Synthesizer.
What do you listen to when you aren’t composing?
Right now, I am into Lo-Fi Jazz, Study Music, and Alternative Rock which tends to release my circulating mind that races with my constant creation of ambient music. Just something to help turn my brain off for a second.
What are your five “desert island albums”?
Ivan Torrent – Reverie, Hans Zimmer – The Dark Knight Soundtrack, Gustavo Santaolalla - The Last of Us Part 2 Soundtrack, Thomas Newman – The Road to Perdition Soundtrack, James Horner – The Pagemaster Soundtrack.
You are a very prolific artist, what upcoming releases and plans can you share with us for 2024?
There are many collaborations lined up with artists and singers in the ambient space including singles and EP projects while also contributing to many compilation albums from record labels all around the globe. Last but not least, is my debut album which has been kept a pretty tight-knit secret only to those that know about it.
Interviewer – Derek Carter (KapTep)
Edited by Dionis Afonichev (Dionisaf)
Who are you ?
My name is Michael D. Tidwell. I am a soundscape, ambient, and meditation composer that lives in Houston, Texas. I am the host of the "Powered By Music" podcast and I graduated from Berklee College of Music Online with a Master of Arts in Music Business.
What are you listening actually ?
I am currently listening to ambient artists like: Sensitizer, Unusual Cosmic Process, Imagine the Sea, Tryptamine, Man From Mars, Perry Frank, Human is Alive, Spacecraft, Be Still The Earth, and many others.
How you came to music ?
I began my journey with music by participating in competitive drumline, listening to trance and progressive house music, and improvising on the piano in my spare time.
What gear do you use in studio/live ?
I currently use a Yamaha Montage White Music Synthesizer and Cubase 12 Music Production Software.
Do you have an anecdote or a memory to tell us about your music ?
2022 was my introduction to releasing soundscape, ambient and meditation music. I released an EP project called « Serenity Soundscapes » which comprised of 5 songs that were designed to signify the different seasons of weather. This project features the vocal stylings of Megi Angelova, Celica Soldream, Lara Ausensi, and Nelly Monk. Mixing was by Chris Jordan of Barron Studios, and Mastering was by Benjamin Lincoln of Middle Mastering.
Which artist would you dream of working with?
Ivan Torrent, Thomas Newman, Steve Jablonsky, Mac Quayle, Hans Zimmer, Two Steps From Hell, and Deadmau5.
What are your plans for the future?
Currently releasing music for my space ambient EP project called « Ambient Atmospheres » which tells the story of a team of lonely astronauts that travel to a far and distant planet in search for intelligent life. This project features the vocal stylings of Lily Krisel, Clara Sorace, Alex Ray, Aeralie Brighton, Nelly Monk, and Victoria Gydov. Mixing was by Chris Jordan of Barron Studios, and Mastering was by Benjamin Lincoln of Middle Mastering. In 2024, I will release my debut collaboration album called "Darthscapes" which will comprise of 10 different artists, 10 different themes, and 1 goal to make the scariest dark ambient music the industry has ever heard.
Hi Michael D., maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Michael D. Tidwell is not only whom I represent, it's the overarching idea of excellence, leadership, collaboration, and quality. Before creating this artistic representation of myself, I thought about what needed to be done to cause a stir of establishment and notoriety in the field of soundscape, ambient, and meditation music. After researching a variety of artists that had formed a dramatic impact on my musical approach I was determined to produce an artist and brand that not only people could look up to, but also a household name that they could trust.
Before releasing any material, I planned how I could present myself in the best possible way to stand out in this elaborate and immersive genre. I spent a year constructing different ideas while also networking and forming relationships with the industry’s top singers and engineers who could help tell my story most profoundly. I had to come up with easy-to-understand projects while also delivering the highest level of artwork and musicianship to present myself as a front-runner in the arts of pure ambient music.
This was when I developed my first soundscape/ambient EP project called “Serenity Soundscapes” which encompasses my love for the different seasons of weather and showcases the best vocal talent in the music industry. Featured in this project were the vocal stylings of Megi Angelova, Celica Soldream, Lara Ausensi, and Nelly Monk. Mixing was produced by Chris Jordan of Barron Studios in Houston, Texas and Mastering was designed by my good friend Benjamin Lincoln of Middle Mastering. This project would be proclaimed as the benchmark of Michael D. Tidwell and will be forever recognized as one of his greatest accomplishments in the world of soundscape, ambient, and meditation music.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I differentiate my style with the inclusion and collaboration of singers and vocal artists from all around the world to be featured in my music. Currently, I am working on my latest EP project entitled “Ambient Atmospheres” which tells the story of a group of lonely astronauts that travel to a far and distant planet in search of intelligent life. This project includes the vocal stylings of Lily Krisel, Clara Sorace, Alexa Ray, Aeralie Brighton, Nelly Monk, and Victoria Gydov. Mixing was produced by Chris Jordan at Barron Studios in Houston, Texas. Mastering was produced by Benjamin Lincoln of Middle Mastering.
Other music projects will include my Halloween single entitled “Sindel” which includes Italian film composer Alberto Bellavia. My compilation releases under ambient music record label's “Imaginary North” in Toronto, Canada, and “Mare Nostrum” based in France, and three collaboration singles with major artists: Le Code, Man From Mars, and Unusual Cosmic Process.
As of recent, two of my songs “Cetrion” and “Love in Motion” got placed on the ambient music radio show called “Rivulets & Reveries” on 103.3 KOBV Bentonville Radio.
In 2024, I will be officially releasing my debut collaboration album entitled “Darthscapes” which will include ten signature themes of the scariest dark ambient music the industry has ever heard. This project will include: Blatt Siro, Raphael Beaudon, Perry Frank, Willebrant, Tryptamine, Sensitizer, Reflections of the Past, Le Code, Grzegorz Bojanek, and Imagine the Sea.
Alongside my musical endeavors, I vowed a strong commitment to pursue higher education to further excel in my passions and represent myself as a highly acclaimed music business professional. I hold a Master of Arts from Berklee College of Music Online, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston, and a Bachelor of Business Studies with a Minor in Music Business from Dallas Baptist University.
My educational pursuits are what drove me to stay consistent with my musical creative processes. The pressure that ensued with turning in weekly assignments, and daily discussions. and weekend projects allowed me to remain on a patterned regiment to fuel the driving individual that you see today. Music projects became incredibly easy to immerse me in because of the turnaround that I had to commit to on a timely basis. “It kept the train going in my life,” I would say, and for that, I will always be gratefully optimistic and positive pushing forward.
I would never tell anyone to shy away from education even when it comes to the music business. Every bit of information is necessary and helpful in preparing you for the outside world and ongoing projects that you will want to develop. If you are looking to explore higher education in the music business you will need to do your research, dedicate your total excellence to it, and confidently represent that program as if it were a Grammy Award.
A good takeaway that I have learned is that the music business is a “people business.” It’s 85 percent people skills and 15 percent talent. If you are not good with people, then this business will not be so inviting and applicable to you. Be respectful and create friendships first. After the connections are established then you make your moves.
Just remember that you have to be deathly defiant in representing yourself to the highest delivery of expectation. A devoted servant leader that not only strives to benefit the music industry but sets the standard on what a music business professional can be. Stay confident, keep going, and never give up.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love, and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a special shoutout to my sister and dear friend Megan Tidwell. She has been one of my greatest supporters throughout my musical career and has fortified the source of inspiration to cultivate my most successful music projects. She is a mom to three beautiful children named Baylie, Rylie, and Nillie and they reside in the alluring state of Alaska. She has taught me the importance of being patient and enjoying the journey that life holds for each and every one of us.
I would like to also give recognition to my parents David Tidwell and Maryanne Maldonado who have been by my side every step of the way in my musical career. They serve as the backbone behind my eminence and work ethic and I would not be here if it wasn’t for their love and support.
My best friends Christopher Sjostrom and Grayson Hall have always held the highest significance of stewardship that has molded me into the person that I am today. They have been my source of encouragement and purpose and will continuously represent the distinctive example of what it means to be a great and honorable man.
Last, by not least, I would like to thank God for granting me these astounding musical gifts and talents. His loving grace has touched my life in so many wonderful ways and has shined the light of purpose and positivity with every move I make in this music industry.