Peculiar sounds and cross-pollinating genres unite for Donovan Freer, also known as Don Michaellll, in his second music album.
The 25-year-old artist from Chico started his music journey five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think everyone had that time just to sit there and figure out, like, what do we really like to do, and what are we inspired to do? And music just came right to me,” Freer said.
“Every time I'd hear a song, I'd have to find each instrument and each layer to see how it was made. It was just like a weird thing.”— Donovan Freer aka Don Michaellll
His new project, “WTFISTHIS?!” is a mix of electronic, hip-hop and pop genres, influenced by internet noise, ambient outside sounds and inspired by the artists he immersed himself in during the creative process.
This latest album is a stark contrast to its predecessor, the introspective and melancholic guitar-fueled "Manic Soul."
Where "Manic Soul" delved into themes of introspection and somber reflection, this new release bursts forth with a vibrant energy and an adventurous spirit, showcasing an evolution and change in sound to his artistry.
“Around “Manic Soul,” I wasn't taking care of my body, I wasn't really feeling that great overall,” Freer said. “And then I made a change in my life, and I wanted to better it. And I didn't want to dwell on the past, and I kind of wanted to have a forward-moving energy.”
Inspiration for him can present itself from anywhere. His lifelong obsession with music began with a fascination for dissecting songs, meticulously discerning every guitar strum, synth stab and subtle nuance.
“It could be like a drum loop, it could be a synth loop, it’s mainly like loops from different websites and just like things that,” Freer said. “I could hear a sound from the street, you know, all that sounds cool, and I'll just kind of use music theory to bring everything together and have a cohesive sound.”
Freer recalled developing this habit as a child, listening to the music his parents played and feeling compelled to dissect each song
“Every time I'd hear a song, I'd have to find each instrument and each layer to see how it was made. It was just like a weird thing,” Freer said.
While some might consider it unusual, he finds it captivating.
Due to his love for experimental sound, Freer chooses not to label his music. He says it allows him to be more creative and take more risks.
“This is kind of a cliche thing to say, but I don't want to put myself in a box,” Freer said. “The next project could be folk, it could be more pop, it could even be like hip hop. I kind of just go with whatever I feel in the moment.”
