We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mike DeSorda. Check out our conversation below.
Mike, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
The best kept secret in my musical life that few are aware of, locally or globally, is that I have built from the ground up a boutique indie label, production studio in our downtown, and have written, produced, and released about a dozen song what I think are pretty decent and credible vintage songs into the world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Mike DeSorda, songwriter and producer and owner of the indie label Granite Mountain Sounds. I only started making music at age 69, which brings a lot of challenges to be sure, but which also means I bring a lot of life experience to every song I write and produce. My forte is roping in talented musicians and somehow convince them to make my musical ideas sound good. What makes us unique? We keep it raw, real, vintage, recording only real musicians playing real instruments; no AI or synth. Right now, I’m producing several of my songs and working on my songwriter’s album, aiming for a late January release, where different artists perform my songs.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That’s easy. As a child, I was told by my school systems that I had no musical abilities, that I was tone deaf, and not to bother with any music classes. Unfortunately, as a child, this negative feedback clearly set me back and stifled any thoughts of even trying to take music beyond just a casual music fan. Yet, here I am now, 70 years old, and in basically a year, when from plucking around on an acoustic guitar to writing, producing, and owning a legal music label and publishing company, and able to play guitar and keyboard well enough to sound like music and write music. I’d say those naysayers that told me I had no musical talent were wrong.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I started using pains and challenges in my life as fodder for the songs I write. The process of writing songs from deep personal hurt yet written in such a way as to be universal, has been nothing short of therapeutic for my soul as I enter my later years.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I think so. What I mean by that is that the real musical me is one that is humbled by the music world every day. I realize there is more I don’t know than I do know about music, and I fight every day to narrow that gap. And the public me is no different. I am completely open about my musical limitations and struggles when the topic comes up publicly.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That he was a decent man, a kind man, a peaceful man, a family man, and that he left the world a little of himself with the music he wrote that will outlast his mortal self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://granitemountainsounds.com/mike-desorda
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/granitemountainsounds
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-desorda-a447a0376/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/granitemountainsoundsaz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GraniteMountainSounds
- Other: https://s.disco.ac/cjeerbgkffcm
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
