Moosic: Why did you decide to use your real name instead of a stage name?
Michelle Forziati: Music is where I go to be myself. It’s a place that hits my heart and is kept super close to my heart, so when representing my music it only felt right to keep my name. I was contemplating using a stage name. No matter what I tried it felt like a lie and not me. I know some performers like to use a stage name and become that character and that’s really cool. I just think for me I felt like I go to music to be me. I play, as we all do in life, so many roles that I just want to be me when I share my music because my music is a glimpse of my heart.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
Forziati: I come from a very big musical family. My grandmother and my uncles play piano and guitar by ear. One of my uncles was a DJ back in the day when DJs used vinyl. He built a turn table in his room and I’d hang out with him as he would practice. I remember having his headphones on with a mic singing along. Music has always been there for me. It actually was beautiful growing up being surrounded with it. I’ve been singing and dancing for as long as I have memories. I don’t ever think there was a time music wasn’t involved. We all have a soundtrack to our lives and the cool thing is how music evolved and the eras of sound that circled my life. I grew up on doo wop and the crooners. My younger years were surrounded with that sound and it was and still is so beautiful to me.
How would you describe your sound?
Forziati: For some reason this is the hardest question for me and I’m not entirely sure why lol. What I’ve recorded so far is more pop with hints of RnB. One of my songs “Familiar Face” has a hint of rock elements. What I want to do is capture an emotion by story telling. I want my music to make people feel, think or remember. In my sound I tend to be more breathy and airy.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Forziati: Oh man, so many artists have touched places in my heart but my heavy influences have been The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, and Mariah. My current music is more RnB but they have been huge influences on me.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Forziati: I am currently listening to the new Nick Jonas album and the last song I listened to was his song “Aphrodite.” It’s unreal. If you haven’t heard it yet, you totally should. Wow, amazing.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Forziati: I listen to local radio stations and follow some local music podcasts. I also surf TikTok as well. There are some really great artists out there that aren’t represented yet and it’s beautiful to hear their songs.
Who is your dream producer?
Forziati: I have a few! Timaland, Benny Blanco, Max Martin, and Sia. I love the way they capture emotion.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Forziati I love so many artists. I have a few though. Britney, The Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Harry Styles, The Backstreet Boys, Bruno Mars, Sia, and Meghan Trainor. Their music either makes me happy or makes me feel. Isn’t that what life’s about?
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
Forziati: I think there’s multiple reasons I was led to music. God gave me the gift of song and singing heals me. I also just love it so much, but also my upbringing. Music has been so very present in my family that not only was it built in me it was all around me. What keeps motivating me? It’s who I am; music honestly makes me whole, so music is to me the same as breathing. It’s what I’m made of. Plus, I honestly just love the connection that takes place when I’m singing. The connection to the instruments, to the beat, to whoever I’m collaborating with and to myself. Another reason is because I have a story to tell, we all do, but maybe the stories I write and sing about can comfort another or bring them clarity or reflection. It would be an honor to do for another what music has done for me.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Forziati: I normally use a platform called Beat Stars, it’s a platform where producers from all over allow you to purchase their beats. I typically search for hours finding the right sound. Music is a conversation and a conversation is at least two interacting. When there’s a beat that I feel the urge to respond to, I start to write to that one. And it happens really quick if it’s a beat I will write to. I’ll hear a word or a few words in my head as it plays. Sometimes it’s a pull that I feel as well. I then sit on the floor to write. I think it grounds me to sit on the floor. It feels more active but also more stable, if that makes sense.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
Forziati: Social media is the best avenue. For example a rapper reached out to me through social media to work together and that put me in contact with my current studio, Graybeard Recording Studio.
Connect with Michelle Forziati:
SPOTIFY . AMAZON . APPLE . BANDCAMP . INSTAGRAM . FACEBOOK . TWITTER . YOUTUBE . IMDB
What’s next for you?
Forziati: For music, I am currently writing and recording more songs. I’m excited to say I am working on completing a song with David Minehan! He’s absolutely incredible. I have a full band behind me in this song and we’re building it from the ground up. I’m working with the most amazing instrumentalists. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
For acting, I’ve been filming a short film with Boston Casting and the experience has been life changing. I’m honored, humbled and grateful for the opportunity to have that experience.
And for dancing, I’m working with Nick Arango from Ignis Arts to choreograph a full dance routine to release and share with all of you. I’m grateful, and honored to be surrounded but what my heart loves.
Bio:
Michelle Forziati is a singer, musician, actress, and dancer from Massachusetts. A former ballroom dance instructor, she played the role of Jilly Hurley in the 2017 biographical drama film Stronger, about Jeff Bauman’s recovery, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. In 2023, she tapped into a longtime passion by venturing into music with two alt-pop and R&B singles in “Echo To Me” and “Familiar Face.” Forziati released two singles in 2024 – April’s “Stranger” and July’s “Strings’ – both recorded with Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studio in Framingham, MA. Her newest release, “Once More,” streams in January 2026.
