Skip to main content

Interview: pop singer, songwriter, dancer, actress Michelle Forziati

 

Written By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

 

Massachusetts’ singer/songwriter, dancer, actress Michelle Forziati recently released “Strings,” her second song out this year as a follow up to her April release of “Stranger.” 

 

The Boston pop-music artist and Medford native is no stranger to the entertainment industry; she starred in 2017 Boston Marathon biographical film Stronger, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. In the inspirational drama about Jeff Bauman’s recovery in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Forziati played Jill Hurley. 

 

Her new sultry alt-pop single "Strings" has a catchy, chill chorus and it was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studios, and features guitar by Michael Strakus and bass by Steve Constantino, two players known for their work in Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures. 

 

In this OOTB interview, Forziati discusses the new song and previous release in detail, her entertainment inspirations, her future plans in music, acting, dancing and more.


Listen to “Strings” here



Listen to "Stranger" here


 

How does your new song “Strings” compare to your previous releases as far as everything from the lyrics to the music to production?


My previous single release “Stranger” was about losing my way. I strayed away from God out of hardships and pain, but I came back to the realization that it's God that got me through those hardships. In that song I'm apologizing for losing my way. I worked with the amazing Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studio in Framingham and Dylan Gagnon. Daylan played the guitar in that song. He is so melodic and smooth. It was more beautiful than I could've imagined. 


“Strings” is about falling in love with musicians that play guitars. I absolutely love the sound, the beautiful cries that guitars make. It's a song about manipulation and deceit. I teamed up with Monty on this one again as well as Steve Constantino (bass) and Michael Strakus (guitar). They are such incredible musicians, honestly, the way they captured what a piece of my heart sounds like was such a wild experience. This song was created to be listened to on speakers or headphones so you can enjoy that lush bass.


As far as influences and inspirations: Who (and why?) is your favorite singer? Favorite actress? Favorite dancer?

 

There've been two very influential artists in my life, Britney Spears and Michael Jackson. They are my favorite all-around, well-rounded performers. I would watch them perform and I felt inspired and alive. If it's purely vocal and singing I've grown up listening to and loving Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. Their voices are not of this world – they are stunning.


My favorite actress is Diane Keaton, oh man do I absolutely love her! She's the best, she's funny, she's charismatic, she's real. There's a scene from The First Wives Club where she and her friends are falling down in a window washer contraption and her face, her scream has just been so relatable to me for many years [laughs]. 


As for my favorite dancer... that's a hard one. I love dancers that look like they are having the time of their life regardless of their skill set. But I do tie my favorites back to Britney and Michael.


Do you plan to release more new music soon in the form of singles or an eventual album? If so, what can we expect and when?

 

I have another single that will be coming out in October called “Secrets I Keep.” I had previously released it, but I've remastered it and changed it up a bit, so it’s a whole new song. It's darker and more moody. I think eventually I'll create an album; it's a goal and something I've contemplated for a little.


Are you currently pursuing more roles as an actress or dancer? If so, what roles or projects? 


Yes to both, I am currently looking to find an acting coach and an agent that is a good fit. I absolutely love being on a movie set. The feeling is surreal, it's creating a voice in a different way. I love being on set for like 17 hours. [laughs] 


When it comes to dancing, I'm getting ready to teach partner/ballroom dancing again and I couldn't be happier about it! Dance is so freeing! I wish everyone would try it at least once to see what it's really like. To have a wordless conversation with someone, to be open and receptive to receive and to ask is one of the coolest things. Dance is a language. You learn these patterns that are essentially words, then you start to group those patterns together to form sentences and if you practice that enough your conversation can become poetry. How beautiful and cool is that?!


Follow Michelle Forziati:


https://www.instagram.com/michelleforziatimusic/


https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7ZAwwiYw1OzSSOXa86Z6Qw

 

https://www.facebook.com/michelleforziatimusic

Comments