R and R Music
Michael Syrrakos is Rest & Relaxation. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1977 by his Jamaican mother and Greek father. As the result of such a rich, diverse cultural upbringing, Michael was exposed to a lot of music. As growing up in the eighties was a time of excitement as he, like so many, witnessed the infancy and growth of Hip Hop culture. "Bonita Applebum" changed his life.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
The R&R sonic journey started in 1999 when Michael's musical taste became curious. He listened to many different styles, such as Detroit Techno, Deep House, Disco, Down-tempo, NuJazz, Dub and eventually full circle back to Hip Hop. A new decade began and technology advanced, making music production more accessable for the average person. Michael began making songs with computer software and slowly progressed to mixing live and programmed elements. Rest & Relaxation would like to continue the tradition of good feeling music.
Your musical influences
Michael credits the late, great J Dilla, Burt Bacharach and Herbie Hancock as his biggest influences.
What equipment do you use?
Anything goes...
Anything else?
Kick Up Dust - The Single, will be available on iTunes and EMusic in September of 2007 and a full length album entitled, Kick Up Dust - The EP, will be released in early 2008. Please stay tuned for many upcoming collaborations between Rest & Relaxation and artists from diverse backgrounds.
