When we talk about storytelling in music, it’s often in grand, sweeping narratives. But some songs, like “City Bus” by Micah Sheveloff, feel like quiet windows into someone’s life. They carry a sense of place and emotion that’s both personal and universal. What inspired this journey? How does it connect to the artist’s evolution? These are just some of the questions that came to mind as we sat down with Micah to discuss the track, its creation, and the stories.
They say every song is a little story. “City Bus” feels like there’s someone’s life hidden within it. What is this song about, and what inspired you to write it?
City Bus was inspired by my own personal journey as I began to explore the world (beginning with Boston) as a young adult and the stark differences in everything… the visual, the smells, and the walks of life …. People wander out into the world from such different circumstances, and In discovering this on my own for the first time.
Compared to your previous work, this feels like a step in a different direction. Your last single leaned more towards electro-jazz, while “City Bus” feels far more acoustic and intimate. How did you arrive at this sound?
As a pianist, I don’t have the luxury of carrying a guitar with me everywhere I go like so many other singer/songwriters, so I learned from a very young age to be my own band. As a matter of fact, I sometimes feel like my instincts are more as a guitarist with my right and a bassist and drummer with the left …. To answer your question; once I had written this song, it felt really natural to me as a solo piece, so I recorded it and that was that …..
You’ve always had an interesting approach to arrangements. In “City Bus”, the minimal instrumentation really brings out the emotional depth of the track. Was this your intention from the start, or did the sound evolve during the recording process?
100% exactly what I was after. I’m a believer that less is more …. And also it’s usually the more courageous approach, in that there are fewer crevices to hide in when you’re solo. And I like to push that fear factor for myself at times as an artist…. Tease the boundaries of my personal comfort level …..
Your vocals are always recognizable, but they feel especially vulnerable here.Did you deliberately aim for a softer, more personal vocal delivery, or was it just a natural result of working on this song?
I think the vocal flowed naturally for me with City Bus, from verses in a lower register to the higher chorus lines …. And then channeling my inner Brian Wilson with some falsetto tossed in just because I think it also adds a sense of vulnerability and intimacy…..
The title “City Bus” instantly evokes images of urban chaos and movement.What’s the connection between the title and the emotions you wanted to convey?
The connection to the title City Bus is actually quite literal. My path to the city from where I grew up was indeed a dirty old city bus….and you know, in New England where it snows and the roads are covered with sand and salt, everything gets painted with a layer of grime. But the little town I’m from, Lexington, Massachusetts, was always pretty manicured. As a kid and as an artist, that stark contrast was very noticeable to me …. hence the creation of this song!
You often talk about your love for experimenting. Is “City Bus” part of a new album or a standalone experiment? And can you share whether there’ll be more tracks in a similar style in the future?
From my perspective as an artist, it seems intuitive for me to keep recording and releasing singles, to be putting songs out into the world without the long wait times required for a full album. In some ways, every day is an experiment in that the world changes so dramatically and so fast, and what happens around me absolutely impacts my writing. I’m working on a new song now called Gravity (“weight, weight, weight, the gravity has taken its toll on me”) and after that ….. something different !!
Listening to ‘City Bus’, it feels like the song was made for a small, intimate setting. Do you imagine performing it live? If so, how would you like audiences to experience it?
Sure, I’d perform City Bus live either just me and my 88 keys or in a duet with another player/singer…. My favorite guitar player in New York, Marc Shulman, would crush this track !!
Your lyrics always seem to show a lot of attention to detail. Are there any particular lines in “City Bus” that hold special meaning for you, and why?
Truly, the whole thing is super personal. I’m a pretty attentive writer, I’m not throwing in filler to catch a groove or force a rhyme. As an example, I describe how waiting for the bus in the cold made me feel tough…. I had a listener reach out to me and say they felt exactly the same way about waiting for the bus in the winter….that people are connecting to it is so fulfilling….
You’ve been in music for many years. Is there something about “City Bus” that stands out among your other work or makes it especially meaningful to you?
As you get older, or at least for me this is true, I am able to be reflective and articulate my memories, my experiences, and how they all fit in to the mosaic that we become. I think I am doing that better as a writer, and I am also growing as an artist always, seeking to tap my own weaknesses on the shoulder and just be fresh in what I do.
Is there a city or destination you’ve visited that’s left a lasting impression, or one you’re dreaming of visiting next?
So many places and their respective cultures have made an impression on me …. I’ve been to Venezuela, different parts of Europe, and seen a good chunk of the USA. To simplify, I always appreciate an opportunity to be a student of the human condition…. That’s where the songs come from. I’d love to visit late 19th century London, but that’s one heck of a journey…..
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