The moment Michael Salas pursued music, the fire within him was lit and he’s been blazing ever since. After dropping out of college at 18-years-old to perfect his craft, the New York native quickly made a name for himself within the music industry with his genre-bending sound and emotional-driven storytelling.
After garnering a devoted fan base, the critically acclaimed DJ and producer began to refer to himself as “Day One.” The artist told Celeb Secrets that the unique name has a deep-rooted meaning, as it represents the support system behind him that believed in his artistry from the very beginning.
“Behind every artist, there is always a good team. I wanted to choose a name that not only represents myself but also represents every single person who has helped me throughout my career. So that’s how I came up with the name “Day One,” he exclusively explained. “I’m acknowledging everyone that has contributed to my career since day one. I feel like nowadays, the artist always gets all the glory, and the people that are helping them behind the scenes don’t get enough credit.”
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With a powerful, yet strategic team in his corner – Day One released “Paradise.” The lively track is similar to taking a breath of fresh air, as the breezy melody is destined to leave listeners swaying to the captivating beat and feeling inspired to strive for greatness.
“My song “Paradise” was made to inspire everyone to live their lives to the fullest with their loved ones. Life is short, and we need to make the most out of it,” said Day One. “Everyone goes through hard times in life, but sometimes we need to sit back and focus on the good things we have and really appreciate the people that are there for us. Life is so much better when we appreciate it more, and we are actually living it.”
Celeb Secrets sat down with Day One to talk about the fan-favorite track “Paradise,” what it was like to break into the EDM landscape and to hear more about upcoming projects in the pipeline. Keep scrolling and read the full Q&A below and to learn more about the fast-rising star.
You can keep up with Michael Salas by giving him a follow on Instagram + Spotify.
Celeb Secrets: Who is Michael Salas? Could you tell us about yourself?
Michael Salas: “I’m a very ambitious and driven individual, I really enjoy what I do, and I take great pride in it. I’m very passionate about my music, and I truly give it my all in every project. I consider myself a hard-working individual who is always working extremely hard to improve my craft. I just love being in the studio, always trying something new, being as creative as possible, and just having fun with it.”
Celeb Secrets: How did you get your name “Day One”?
Michael Salas: “Behind every artist, there is always a good team. I wanted to choose a name that not only represents myself but that also represents every single person that has helped me throughout my career. So that’s how I came up with the name “Day 0ne.” I’m acknowledging everyone that has contributed to my career since day one. I feel like nowadays, the artist always gets all the glory, and the people that are helping them behind the scenes don’t get enough credit. So “Day 0ne” is not just an artist’s name. It’s a community. Anyone who is supporting me is a “Day 0ne,” we are all “Day 0ne.”
Celeb Secrets: Who are some of your music inspirations
Michael Salas: “I really look up to electronic artists such as Tiesto, Calvin Harris, and David Guetta. These guys really helped push EDM into the mainstream and gave it the recognition it needed. Also, I really admire how they’ve been able to remain successful throughout all these years, it’s really impressive.”
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Celeb Secrets: What inspired you to break into the EDM landscape?
Michael Salas: “I just love everything about the EDM community, the fans, the music, the festivals, etc. So I really wanted to be a part of it, which is why I decided to become an artist. I really want to drive more listeners to this community and make it grow as much as I can.”
Celeb Secrets: You dropped out of college to go to a prestigious music school in NYC – tell us about this experience.
Michael Salas: “In life, if you really want something, you must take risks, I knew if I wanted to pursue a music career I had to drop out of college to put all my time and energy into music. It definitely wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew deep down it was the right one, so I went ahead and dropped out to pursue my dreams. It was honestly the best decision of my life and I have absolutely no regrets.”
Celeb Secrets: How would you describe your sound?
Michael Salas: “I would describe my music style as diverse and authentic. For me, being authentic as an artist is very important because I am connecting with the audience on a deeper level. As human beings, we go through different emotions, so when I express that through music, it makes it more meaningful. My main goal as an artist is to always connect with the audience, and If I can get an emotion out of them, then I know I did my job. My style is also very diverse, for me this is extremely important because as an artist, in order for me to stay creative, I need to try new things consistently. There are days when I just want to produce an emotional song that delivers a message, and then there are other days when I just want to produce a rave track with no vocals. I got into music in the first place to have fun and to express myself and for me, this is the best way to keep things interesting. Just going to the studio with an open mind and producing whatever feels right at the moment.”
Celeb Secrets: Tell us about your hit single “Paradise”?
Michael Salas: “My song “Paradise” was made to inspire everyone to live their lives to the fullest with their loved ones. Life is short and we need to make the most out of it. Everyone goes through hard times in life, but sometimes we need to sit back and focus on the good things we have and really appreciate the people that are there for us. Life is so much better when we appreciate it more and we are actually living it.”
Celeb Secrets: You are a bi-lingual artist, do you believe this helped your music career?
Michael Salas: “It definitely has helped me a lot because I’m able to connect with a bigger audience. Even though the majority of my listeners are from the United States, I still get people from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina listening to my music. I’m able to have a conversation with these fans from different countries and really build a relationship. In the near future, I plan on releasing Spanish music and really expanding my brand in the Spanish market.”
Celeb Secrets: Walk Celeb Secrets through your recording process?
Michael Salas: “Every song has a different process, in some cases I get sent a demo. It usually has the vocals with a guitar or piano. I then produce a full track around the vocal idea. In other cases I literally come up with a melody or chord and start making a track around that. So every process is different, and I really like it this way because there shouldn’t be only one way to make music. At the end of the day, music is art, and you should make it however you feel like making it.”
Celeb Secrets: Is there an artist in the industry you are hoping to collaborate with in the future?
Michael Salas: “I would definitely like to collaborate with Martin Garrix, I think we both have the same style and I know we can create something unique. I would also like to see his process on how he makes his songs, he’s a true legend in the industry, so to get the chance to work with him would be awesome.”
Celeb Secrets: What is one thing you want your fans to know about you?
Michael Salas: “I want them to know that not only do I make music because it’s fun, but I also make music because I want my music to be a part of the listener’s life. Music has played a huge role in my life, it’s something I consume everyday whether I’m in the gym, in the car, at home, etc… I’m always listening to music even when I’m down, happy, or motivated. Whatever I’m feeling at the moment there’s a song that can match my energy. So I really want my music to be a part of my audience’s life, and I hope they are able to connect with it.”
Celeb Secrets: Where do you see yourself in the next five years
Michael Salas: “I see myself playing in the big festivals such as EDC, Ultra, and Tomorrowland. I also see myself being more global and having fans in different countries around the world. My goal is to have a diverse catalog of music and really make an impact in as many countries as possible.”
Celeb Secrets: Talk to us about your live performances? What can fans expect when they go to a show?
Michael Salas: “You can expect to have a great time. I really like to play throwbacks and also play what’s popular at the moment. I also enjoy playing my mashups and remixes. Expect a high-energy event, and most importantly, a day you’ll always remember.”
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Celeb Secrets: You believe EDM is a universal love language – tell us a story where you experienced this firsthand?
Michael Salas: “I remember going to my first huge music festival, it was “Ultra Music Festival” in Miami, Florida. Thousands of fans attended this event from different countries around the world. I was truly amazed at how different people from different backgrounds united together to enjoy electronic music. It didn’t matter how you looked or where you came from, everyone had one common interest, and that was electronic music. It was crazy how everyone acted like we knew each other, it was like we were all one big family, and I never saw a place where there was so much unity. It was an amazing experience, which is why the EDM community is so awesome.”
Celeb Secrets: Do you have any secrets about single “Kiss Strangers” or projects in the pipeline?
Michael Salas: “I’ll be releasing as many projects as I can. I have so many songs that I have worked over the past several years with different artists. I honestly can’t wait for you guys to hear the different vocalists I have been working with. I’ve been experimenting with different sounds and styles, so my future releases are definitely going to be exciting!”
