Michael Hackett is a gifted artist who has a talent of creating music that seems to be alive at this given moment. He produces the type of sound that is capable of altering the atmosphere in a room without being obnoxious or pushy. This ideal balance between the subtle and the profound is manifested in his latest release titled Circles.
The song was composed during weekends and the period before the summer and it expresses the contrast between the way Hackett lives as a fast-moving person and the way he would like to slow down. The song addresses the concept of loops which occur in everyday life and in music, and finding peace and calmness in a repetitive pattern.
The artistic composition begins at the piano with a tune that follows the bridge passage and literally flows in circular manners. Based on that starting point, Hackett collaborated with producer Sem Witt to come up with an optimistic but philosophical song. They also provided textures with synthesizers and developed it by natural and instinctive writing. The lyrics in Circles encompass those moments when everything is just perfect or even when things are not quite perfect but you can accept the situation and be alright with it.
The song is already resonating with listeners and has already surpassed 300,000 streams on Instagram, which speaks of Hackett as a talented writer with a knack to create catchy melodies and a real connection to the emotion. We got a chance to discuss with him the origins of the song, how he wrote it, what it means to him and what his future projects might look like now that he is evolving and developing as an artist.
Listen to Circles
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First off, congrats on the release! What inspired “Circles” and what does the song mean to you?
Thank you!
The song came together mostly during weekends and heading into summer break—those moments where I try to slow down, even though I tend to keep going. That contrast really inspired the vibe of the song.
The title “Circles” suggests repetition or being stuck in a loop—was that a theme you were exploring emotionally or musically?
Definitely. I sometimes feel like I’m caught in a loop of always staying busy—doing things I enjoy. “Circles” reflects that rhythm.
What was the creative process like for this track? Did it come together quickly, or did it take some time to shape?
It started at the piano with the chords and the melody you hear after the bridge—“we’re running and running in circles.” That part literally moves in circles musically, which sparked the rest of the track. I sent the idea to Sem Witt, who produced the song, and from there we shaped it step by step.
How did the sound of “Circles” come together? Were there any influences—musical or personal—that helped shape its style?
I wanted to create something a bit more upbeat than my previous track, Shadow in the Crowd. I tried to write more intuitively, without overthinking genres. The synth influences came naturally through Sem’s background as a producer.
What emotions or moments were you trying to capture with this song?
Moments when everything just feels right. And even if it doesn’t—still being okay with that.
Is there a particular lyric in “Circles” that stands out as especially meaningful to you?
Right now: “Some moments hold a secret that the rushing world won’t see.”
I used to be very ambitious and perfectionistic as a musician, but now I’ve learned to appreciate what’s happening in the moment.
Was there a moment in the studio where you felt, “This is it, this is the song”?
Yes! During the recording day, we were still tweaking the vocal mix and arrangement. You could really feel the track come to life as we worked on it.
If “Circles” were part of a movie soundtrack, what kind of scene would it play in?
A scene where someone takes off in a van with their dog, not really knowing where they’ll end up. (Is that too specific? 😄)
How does this release fit into your upcoming plans—are more singles, an EP, or an album on the way?
Yes! A lot of exciting things are coming. I’ll be releasing more music in the near future.
What has the response been like from fans so far?
Better than expected! People are connecting with the song and really seem to feel it. It’s already been streamed over 300,000 times on Instagram—which is kind of surreal.
Finally, for someone discovering your music for the first time through “Circles,” what do you hope they hear in you as an artist?
That it’s personal. Catchy, but with feeling and a deeper layer
