Interview: Mick Michaels of Corners of Sanctuary

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
Mick Michaels: It was definitely my family as a whole. There was always music playing...whether it was on the radio, or the record player or someone playing an instrument. Music was part of our everyday lives, so I was drawn to it early on. My older brother was the one who introduced to me more to the hard rock/heavy metal styles. It was his influence that influenced me.

I think if I wasn’t a musician I would have been an artist. I was always drawing as a kid and throughout school was involved in some art class or project, so much so that I studied art in college. There was a definite path there for a bit.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
Mick Michaels: I write a lot...poems, songs, story ideas even write opinion expressive pieces. I guess it’s my way of journaling. This sort of exercise helps me collect my thoughts and work through things. It puts things into perspective and, sometimes, even develops a defined focus on a specific subject matter. I find it very therapeutic. It goes without saying that the writing I do independently influences my musical endeavors...it’s like a sketch pad of sorts.

How long has your band been around?
Mick Michaels: Corners of Sanctuary formed in 2011...so 2022 marks 11 years as a band.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
Mick Michaels: We are from Philadelphia. The vastness and richness of the musical lineages from Philly are undeniable, to any musician or artist, regardless of style or genre. So I think that kind of history affects us all. The 80s rock and metal scene here in Philly and the surrounding areas was incredible. So much of my influences stem from what I heard, saw and experienced during that time...it was electric.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
Mick Michaels: It was a band name I had been thinking about for a number of years prior to COS getting together. A corner of sanctuary is a place where we find and can go to that’s a safe place...void of judgment, ridicule and even fear...it’s a place where we can be ourselves...be who we truly are and it can be anything real or imaginative. For me, music is a corner of sanctuary and I want to share it with others.

Mick Michaels of Corners of Sanctuary interview February 2022

Tell me about your most memorable shows.
Mick Michaels: There have been many and to say that is not me boasting or anything, it’s to remind myself how fortunate I have been over the years to share the music and have such experiences. It is something that I don’t take lightly or for granted.

One of the best shows we‘ve done was opening for UDO a few years ago in Philly. It was just an amazing time...a dream come true...a real Cinderella story...we were on top of the world that night and by midnight it was all over.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
Mick Michaels: Always loved playing the Trocadero in Philly. Sadly, it’s no longer open. Also dig playing the Whisky in Hollywood...always a treat...it’s a magical place.

I’m still swinging for the fences to someday play Madison Square Garden...a kid can dream.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Mick Michaels: Judas Priest, Kiss and Corners of Sanctuary.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Mick Michaels: To both I would say don’t waste your time...know what you want and go get it...don’t wait for others to say it’s ok or to lead the way...you’re just setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment.

The other two things I would say are: know your worth and don’t go or stay where you’re not valued for what you bring to the table. And no one is ever “that busy,” it’s always a matter of how important you are to them.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Mick Michaels: Learn all you can...do it yourself and don’t wait for others to make the call.

Mick Michaels of Corners of Sanctuary interview February 2022

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
Mick Michaels: That’s a tough one as they all define something in my life at one point or another. The songs have helped me through times when other things weren’t able to. “Wrecking Ball” has been a staple of ours for a number of years now...it just expresses my sentiment that I’m not going to tell you about what I got, I’m gonna show you what I got!

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
Mick Michaels: “Wrecking Ball” and “Victoria” are always fun to play...”Hellequin” is another one. “On the Hunt” and “Wrecking Ball” are songs that get requested most often in the live set. They both have that easy, chant along chorus.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
Mick Michael: Anymore, I am inspired by everything and anything. Sometimes that’s an overwhelming process and things do get lost in the shuffle. But at the same time, it creates an endless resource of opportunity...as long as we are open to it.

Most often I usually present some songs to the band in demo form. From there, everyone puts their individual stamp on it until it becomes a Corners of Sanctuary song. Nothing goes to waste with us...it might take some time or take on a different form than first conceived, but nothing is wasted...no song is left behind.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Mick Michaels: On top of writing about war and battles, we also write about human struggle, finding empowerment from within and overcoming challenges.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
Mick Michaels: Absolutely, how can you not? Any time you have more than one person in a room, some level of conflict will arise...it’s unavoidable. And that’s not a bad thing either. Disagreement allows for all sides to be heard and considered and creates opportunity for new perspectives to be achieved...in the end, it’s always for the greater good. Everything we do is about the music, not the individual.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Mick Michaels of Corners of Sanctuary interview February 2022

Mick Michaels: As an individual artist and as a group, we plan to keep making music. Corners of Sanctuary recently released the third installment of our Blood and Steel series with the album “Fight Till the End.” A video for the single “Fight (Brave is the Heart)” is now out. The album is available digitally, on CD and vinyl.

COS also released the band’s first cover song of Def Leppard’s “Mirror, Mirror.” It was new territory for us but we had a lot of fun working on it.

We have some shows coming up with Doyle and Tantric as well as we are working on our next album, “Vengeance of the Fallen.” There is definitely always something to do!

Find out more about Corners of Sanctuary at:
Official: www.cornersofsanctuary.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CornersofSanctuary
Twitter: www.twitter.com/COSnROLL
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cosnationmetal

See "Fight (Brave is the Heart)" here:

Get "Fight Till the End" on CD: https://smarturl.it/cos-fight

Get “Fight Till the End” on vinyl https://www.rflrecords.com/product-page/corners-of-sanctuary-fight-till-the-end-gatefold-black-vinyl-150g

See the “Fight Till the End” vinyl promo video: https://fb.watch/a5HfoXDYco/

See “Mirror, Mirror” video on Youtube:

See “Mirror, Mirror” video on Facebook: https://fb.watch/aCCpc3Cs4l/