INTERVIEW: Michael Malarkey talks about The Vampire Diaries, new album, tour in Brazil and more!
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Michael Malarkey is an english actor and singer, he’s 33 years old, the people know him for your character Enzo in the tvshow “The Vampire Diaries”, and also for your EP’s “Feed The Flames” and “Knots”.
We interviewed Michael and talked with him about your character in “The
Vampire Diaries”, the end of the serie, new music, Brazil, the
brazilian fans and more!
We are both intensely loyal to our friends although he’s much more tortured than I am. I am more light-hearted and probably have more of a sense of humour about things than he does… though I also have a penchant for darkness and we’re both quick with a snarky remark.
My relationship with the cast is that of very close friends as I’ve been spending time a hell of a lot of time with them in and out of season – we are often on the road doing conventions together. It’s still baffling to me that I’ve been here since season 5 and we are now beginning season 8!
2. How do you think a character can be so loved and hated at the same time?
It’s anti-hero syndrome. Everyone “loved” watching the great Shakespearean anti-hero’s – such as Richard III – and often found that they were rooting for them. There is a darkness inherent in all of human nature and perhaps an obsession with the “bad boys” is being able to live that darkness out vicariously through them.
3. When the series come to an end, who and what will you miss the most about it?
It’s always rare in this industry to have a regular job and this has allowed me to settle in one place for several years which has been a relief after moving at least once a year for a decade, no joke. But most of all I’ll miss the people. This cast, crew and team are some of the most caring, charming (and crazy) people I’ve had the pleasure to work with and though I know we will keep in touch and meet up when we’re in the same city, I’ll miss the regularity of seeing them day in and day out. They’re gems.
4. Of all the characters you have ever played, who’s your favorite? And if you could play any character made by yourself, what would he/it be like?
Jay Gatsby was a thrilling part to play. I did so much research on that time period and gangsters and bootlegging and created an entire backstory and yet kept those cards tight to my chest. It makes a character that much more enigmatic and interesting for the audience to watch and reminded me how important it is to do all of that drama-school work behind the scenes and not just rely on what’s on the page. I had also just come from playing in a 1,000 seat auditorium to more of a 400-seater for Gatsby, so was able to simplify and soften my choices which was a nice segway into focusing more on television later in the year.
5. What does music represents to you? How do you conciliate your acting career with your musical one? Do you have any new songs coming up?
Music is my life. If I didn’t have anything else to do I would literally sit around drinking coffee and writing and listening to music ALL DAY. Music is the filter through which I see the world. I hear the ‘music’ in everyday life, in relationships, in nature, in language. It’s just how my brain works; it taps into those frequencies. That may sound pretentious, but other musicians will know exactly what I’m talking about.
As I write all of my own music and lyrics, much of the creation of music can be done alone in a room. When I get the idea for a song, I’ll finish it in a few hours. When I pin down that ever-elusive muse we work fast and have fun racing down the rabbit-hole to the birth of a song. I love writing more than any other aspect of it. Everything else disappears when I’m in that headspace, for better or worse!
As far as new music goes, I’m about to go into the studio in the next month or two to begin working on my first full length which I am extremely excited about. Seeing the success of my first two EP’s, Feed The Flames and Knots, has been amazing, but even if no one had given a shit about them I’d still be making more music. I don’t have a choice in the matter. I’ve written so many songs over the years and have had to trim down about 75 new songs and old favourites to a longlist of 25 and now to a shortlist of 16. I’m very happy with the choices and can’t wait to start getting the right musicians together and start recording them. I’m planning on dropping the album in the summer of 2017.
6. Is there any movie or series you would like to be a part of? What actors/actresses you would love to work with? And who would you like to colab with in a song?
Mr. Robot is awesome. I love House of Cards. I love that twisted, thriller, conspiracy stuff. I was down to the last two for a role in Game of Thrones which I’d still love to find a place on if the character is right. Although, after doing a network sci-fi show, I’d love to do a 180 and work on something much more naturalistic and gritty.
There are so many actors I’d love to work with, but if I had to pick one it would be Mark Strong, just because I’m a huge fan. If you’ve never seen his work on BBC’s The Long Firm you must watch it. As far as actresses go, I’d love to work with Olivia Coleman – she’s always amazing, but was particulary blown away by the layers of her performance in Broadchurch. Working with great actors makes you better.
7. What are your favorite actors, movie, series, books and musicians?
How long have you got? I could spend hours answering this question. I love Paul Newman for the intensity of his inner life, I love Jeff Goldblum for his spontaneity and groove, I have a mancrush on Billy Crudup. However, the reason I initially wanted to train as an actor in the UK was because I was obsessed with British drama. I would obsessively watch actors such as Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman & Ralph Fiennes. I was also hugely inspired by the subtle intensity of Pacino and De Niro in Godfather I & II, I’d watch their choices, Pacino especially, over and over again – when I was contemplating going to drama school.
My favourite film is Withnail & I. I watch it at least biannually. Love a buddy film. My favourite wild card film is Wonder Boys which is like putting on a favourite record when I watch it; I know almost every line. There is also a filmed version of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot with Irish actors Barry McGovern & Johnny Murphy that is in my opinion a flawless production of one of my favourite plays.
Favourite series has to be The Sopranos. It was my first binge-watching series and Gandolfini’s choices are so complex and inspiring. I loved Mad Men too. I’m a sucker for that kind of role. As far as English stuff goes, This Is England blew my mind. Huge fan of Shane Meadows.
Musicians is where I could go ballistic as I love music in almost every genre. I suppose right now as I am moving towards recording, I tend to listen to music of similar calibre and pick apart what’s going on in the songs for extra in-studio inspiration. So, right now I’m rotating a lot of Lambchop, Bill Callahan, Mark Kozelek, Bright Eyes and The National….that should give you a hint as to the direction of the album.
8. Do you remember the first time a fan someone recognized you? How did you feel about it? How is your relationship with your fans?
The first time was actually on the London Underground when someone recognised me from a play. I remember thinking it was so random. I was working at The National Theatre at the time and it was my first big break so I literally felt like a nobody. Upon retrospect, I always struggled with intense self-doubt around that time and hearing a strangers appreciation of my work was actually quite needed.
I feel like I have a great relationship with my fans. I used to be a lot more in touch on social media, but I found that the responsibility had begun to overtake my life a bit too much for comfort and as much as I still keep in touch and respond to comments from time to time, I just don’t have the time to read all of them and stay connected like I used to be able to. However, it’s almost become our responsibility as artists to do a lot of the legwork ourselves on social media which is contradictory to art as it requires a business mind, in a sense. That’s why I prefer apps like Instagram that incorporate imagery and an artistic sensibility.
I love meeting the fans at conventions and gigs and giving something back to the people that have given so much to me. I am truly humbled by the relentless and unconditional support that I’ve received through working on The Vampire Diaries especially. It’s also just nice to hear the fans perspectives about the show and my character and there have even been an instance or two when a fans insight has affected my choices!
9. Do you know something about Brazilian music? Have you ever thought about doing a concert in Brazil? Your fans would love it!
Brazil is at the top of my list of places to play. I genuinely cannot wait to do a set of shows down there once all my ducks are in a row. There’s an intensity of support for music in Brazil that I feel to be unrivalled and I have recently found out through social media insights that a huge percentage of my fanbase is in Brazil. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
10. How was your trip to Brazil? What do you think of the Brazilian people?
I love the Brazilian people and the food of course. The trip was very much a whirlwind though, so I would love to come down there for a mini-tour and spend some proper time getting to know the culture.
11. What are your future projects?
As I said, I’m about to start work on my first full-length album. I plan on touring for the album and playing some festivals and generally pursuing the music further, but in the meantime I will be auditioning again for TV and Film. I’d love to return to the London Stage at some point, but right now the plan is to focus mainly on the screen. I also have some ideas of my own for some series which I’d like to flesh out if I ever have any time!
12. What are your biggest dreams, personally and professionally? Where would you like to be in five years?
To be honest, I don’t think that far ahead. I feel like sometimes having those kind of goals can help drive you, but for me it’s the wrong kind of drive. Sometimes it is more in line with human nature to focus solely on being in the moment and working as hard as you can on whatever you’re doing at any given time…even if that means being someones assistant or even a waiter. Love what you are doing, whatever you are doing and then in 5 years time you’ll still fucking love what you’re doing! I think that’s the secret to success….it lies in the moment. That being said, my personal goal is fairly loose, to be able to support myself and my family while doing the things I love the most. The one concrete goal that I will admit to having is that I’d love to do is a world tour with my music when the iron is hot.
13. If you could give any advice to someone who wants to be an actor or a singer, what would it be? And what message do you want to send to your fans?
Cultivate your inner life as a human being. Work on YOU and not just your craft, although that is incredibly important too. I have three rules in this business 1) be professional, proactive and deliver the goods – there are many aspects to this rule 2) don’t be a dick – which includes gossiping 3) HAVE FUN. So many actors are scared and intimidated by the industry. Well guess what, when you break it all down the industry is imaginary – it only exists because of the sum of its parts. It will be what you make it. BE the industry and empower yourself while at the same time being empathetic to everyone no matter what job they have or where their path is currently taking them. You are no better or worse than anyone else and you can always walk down a different path. If you follow those three rules and you are naturally gifted then I assure you, you will always be recommended for jobs by people you have worked with before…..and I hate to break it to you, but that’s how it works a lot of the time. And let me reiterate this: never, ever talk shit. You’ll get it on your face.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkmalarkey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkmalarkey/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZiMotBqM8DPUXLYinVadXA/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/michaelmalarkey
Check out the full interview:
1. What’s your favorite thing about being a part of “The
Vampire Diaries”? Is there any similarities between you and Enzo?
How would you define your relationship with the cast?We are both intensely loyal to our friends although he’s much more tortured than I am. I am more light-hearted and probably have more of a sense of humour about things than he does… though I also have a penchant for darkness and we’re both quick with a snarky remark.
My relationship with the cast is that of very close friends as I’ve been spending time a hell of a lot of time with them in and out of season – we are often on the road doing conventions together. It’s still baffling to me that I’ve been here since season 5 and we are now beginning season 8!
2. How do you think a character can be so loved and hated at the same time?
It’s anti-hero syndrome. Everyone “loved” watching the great Shakespearean anti-hero’s – such as Richard III – and often found that they were rooting for them. There is a darkness inherent in all of human nature and perhaps an obsession with the “bad boys” is being able to live that darkness out vicariously through them.
3. When the series come to an end, who and what will you miss the most about it?
It’s always rare in this industry to have a regular job and this has allowed me to settle in one place for several years which has been a relief after moving at least once a year for a decade, no joke. But most of all I’ll miss the people. This cast, crew and team are some of the most caring, charming (and crazy) people I’ve had the pleasure to work with and though I know we will keep in touch and meet up when we’re in the same city, I’ll miss the regularity of seeing them day in and day out. They’re gems.
4. Of all the characters you have ever played, who’s your favorite? And if you could play any character made by yourself, what would he/it be like?
Jay Gatsby was a thrilling part to play. I did so much research on that time period and gangsters and bootlegging and created an entire backstory and yet kept those cards tight to my chest. It makes a character that much more enigmatic and interesting for the audience to watch and reminded me how important it is to do all of that drama-school work behind the scenes and not just rely on what’s on the page. I had also just come from playing in a 1,000 seat auditorium to more of a 400-seater for Gatsby, so was able to simplify and soften my choices which was a nice segway into focusing more on television later in the year.
5. What does music represents to you? How do you conciliate your acting career with your musical one? Do you have any new songs coming up?
Music is my life. If I didn’t have anything else to do I would literally sit around drinking coffee and writing and listening to music ALL DAY. Music is the filter through which I see the world. I hear the ‘music’ in everyday life, in relationships, in nature, in language. It’s just how my brain works; it taps into those frequencies. That may sound pretentious, but other musicians will know exactly what I’m talking about.
As I write all of my own music and lyrics, much of the creation of music can be done alone in a room. When I get the idea for a song, I’ll finish it in a few hours. When I pin down that ever-elusive muse we work fast and have fun racing down the rabbit-hole to the birth of a song. I love writing more than any other aspect of it. Everything else disappears when I’m in that headspace, for better or worse!
As far as new music goes, I’m about to go into the studio in the next month or two to begin working on my first full length which I am extremely excited about. Seeing the success of my first two EP’s, Feed The Flames and Knots, has been amazing, but even if no one had given a shit about them I’d still be making more music. I don’t have a choice in the matter. I’ve written so many songs over the years and have had to trim down about 75 new songs and old favourites to a longlist of 25 and now to a shortlist of 16. I’m very happy with the choices and can’t wait to start getting the right musicians together and start recording them. I’m planning on dropping the album in the summer of 2017.
6. Is there any movie or series you would like to be a part of? What actors/actresses you would love to work with? And who would you like to colab with in a song?
Mr. Robot is awesome. I love House of Cards. I love that twisted, thriller, conspiracy stuff. I was down to the last two for a role in Game of Thrones which I’d still love to find a place on if the character is right. Although, after doing a network sci-fi show, I’d love to do a 180 and work on something much more naturalistic and gritty.
There are so many actors I’d love to work with, but if I had to pick one it would be Mark Strong, just because I’m a huge fan. If you’ve never seen his work on BBC’s The Long Firm you must watch it. As far as actresses go, I’d love to work with Olivia Coleman – she’s always amazing, but was particulary blown away by the layers of her performance in Broadchurch. Working with great actors makes you better.
7. What are your favorite actors, movie, series, books and musicians?
How long have you got? I could spend hours answering this question. I love Paul Newman for the intensity of his inner life, I love Jeff Goldblum for his spontaneity and groove, I have a mancrush on Billy Crudup. However, the reason I initially wanted to train as an actor in the UK was because I was obsessed with British drama. I would obsessively watch actors such as Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman & Ralph Fiennes. I was also hugely inspired by the subtle intensity of Pacino and De Niro in Godfather I & II, I’d watch their choices, Pacino especially, over and over again – when I was contemplating going to drama school.
My favourite film is Withnail & I. I watch it at least biannually. Love a buddy film. My favourite wild card film is Wonder Boys which is like putting on a favourite record when I watch it; I know almost every line. There is also a filmed version of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot with Irish actors Barry McGovern & Johnny Murphy that is in my opinion a flawless production of one of my favourite plays.
Favourite series has to be The Sopranos. It was my first binge-watching series and Gandolfini’s choices are so complex and inspiring. I loved Mad Men too. I’m a sucker for that kind of role. As far as English stuff goes, This Is England blew my mind. Huge fan of Shane Meadows.
Musicians is where I could go ballistic as I love music in almost every genre. I suppose right now as I am moving towards recording, I tend to listen to music of similar calibre and pick apart what’s going on in the songs for extra in-studio inspiration. So, right now I’m rotating a lot of Lambchop, Bill Callahan, Mark Kozelek, Bright Eyes and The National….that should give you a hint as to the direction of the album.
8. Do you remember the first time a fan someone recognized you? How did you feel about it? How is your relationship with your fans?
The first time was actually on the London Underground when someone recognised me from a play. I remember thinking it was so random. I was working at The National Theatre at the time and it was my first big break so I literally felt like a nobody. Upon retrospect, I always struggled with intense self-doubt around that time and hearing a strangers appreciation of my work was actually quite needed.
I feel like I have a great relationship with my fans. I used to be a lot more in touch on social media, but I found that the responsibility had begun to overtake my life a bit too much for comfort and as much as I still keep in touch and respond to comments from time to time, I just don’t have the time to read all of them and stay connected like I used to be able to. However, it’s almost become our responsibility as artists to do a lot of the legwork ourselves on social media which is contradictory to art as it requires a business mind, in a sense. That’s why I prefer apps like Instagram that incorporate imagery and an artistic sensibility.
I love meeting the fans at conventions and gigs and giving something back to the people that have given so much to me. I am truly humbled by the relentless and unconditional support that I’ve received through working on The Vampire Diaries especially. It’s also just nice to hear the fans perspectives about the show and my character and there have even been an instance or two when a fans insight has affected my choices!
9. Do you know something about Brazilian music? Have you ever thought about doing a concert in Brazil? Your fans would love it!
Brazil is at the top of my list of places to play. I genuinely cannot wait to do a set of shows down there once all my ducks are in a row. There’s an intensity of support for music in Brazil that I feel to be unrivalled and I have recently found out through social media insights that a huge percentage of my fanbase is in Brazil. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
10. How was your trip to Brazil? What do you think of the Brazilian people?
I love the Brazilian people and the food of course. The trip was very much a whirlwind though, so I would love to come down there for a mini-tour and spend some proper time getting to know the culture.
11. What are your future projects?
As I said, I’m about to start work on my first full-length album. I plan on touring for the album and playing some festivals and generally pursuing the music further, but in the meantime I will be auditioning again for TV and Film. I’d love to return to the London Stage at some point, but right now the plan is to focus mainly on the screen. I also have some ideas of my own for some series which I’d like to flesh out if I ever have any time!
12. What are your biggest dreams, personally and professionally? Where would you like to be in five years?
To be honest, I don’t think that far ahead. I feel like sometimes having those kind of goals can help drive you, but for me it’s the wrong kind of drive. Sometimes it is more in line with human nature to focus solely on being in the moment and working as hard as you can on whatever you’re doing at any given time…even if that means being someones assistant or even a waiter. Love what you are doing, whatever you are doing and then in 5 years time you’ll still fucking love what you’re doing! I think that’s the secret to success….it lies in the moment. That being said, my personal goal is fairly loose, to be able to support myself and my family while doing the things I love the most. The one concrete goal that I will admit to having is that I’d love to do is a world tour with my music when the iron is hot.
13. If you could give any advice to someone who wants to be an actor or a singer, what would it be? And what message do you want to send to your fans?
Cultivate your inner life as a human being. Work on YOU and not just your craft, although that is incredibly important too. I have three rules in this business 1) be professional, proactive and deliver the goods – there are many aspects to this rule 2) don’t be a dick – which includes gossiping 3) HAVE FUN. So many actors are scared and intimidated by the industry. Well guess what, when you break it all down the industry is imaginary – it only exists because of the sum of its parts. It will be what you make it. BE the industry and empower yourself while at the same time being empathetic to everyone no matter what job they have or where their path is currently taking them. You are no better or worse than anyone else and you can always walk down a different path. If you follow those three rules and you are naturally gifted then I assure you, you will always be recommended for jobs by people you have worked with before…..and I hate to break it to you, but that’s how it works a lot of the time. And let me reiterate this: never, ever talk shit. You’ll get it on your face.
Find Michael:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkmalarkeyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkmalarkey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkmalarkey/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZiMotBqM8DPUXLYinVadXA/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/michaelmalarkey
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