James Michael has expanded upon his role as producer, songwriter, mixer and SIXX: A.M. frontman to release the new solo single and video "Learn To Hate You", available now at iTunes, Amazon.com, other major online music stores. The new song serves as a de facto follow-up to his debut solo album, "Inhale", but is perhaps more so the result of his non-stop creativity for other artists.

"This project started as a recurring dream for me," explains Michael. "Countless times I'd wake up in the middle of the night with these ambient sounds and melodies going through my head. It didn't sound like any of the bands I was working with at the time, nor did it sound like my own band, SIXX: A.M. I knew it was some kind of sign, I just didn't know what it meant. Until fans started asking me when I was going to do another solo project. That's when it hit me... My fans crave musical diversity just like I do."

Michael recorded the song at his own Red Level Three Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; he squeezed tracking the music and recording his vocals in between producing and/or writing sessions for Kelly Clarkson, MÖTLEY CRÜE, PAPA ROACH, HALESTORM, HINDER, SIXX: A.M., James Durbin and a few new projects he has in development. According to Michael, "My decision to release 'Learn To Hate You' now was based on how intensely creative the last couple of years have been for me. I've been in the studio non-stop producing one record after another with very little time to stop and deal with 'life stuff' of my own."

The video for "Learn to Hate You", which can be seen below, was also shot in Nashville by renowned director P.R. Brown, who has worked with many artists, including MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Prince, AUDIOSLAVE, MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M. "P.R. Brown has an incredible cinematic eye which is evident in everything he does," observes Michael, "including his very dark and beautiful still photography. His films and videos have a way of ripping an artist out of real life and placing them right in the center of a world he has created. From working together on SIXX: A.M.," Michael adds, "Brown understands the intense emotional conflict that exists in me and my songs and he captures it in a perfectly narrative way."

Michael is currently writing and producing the sophomore album for "American Idol" finalist James Durbin; developing new artist Shahnaz, and soon Michael will head back into the studio with MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx for the next album from SIXX: A.M.

As for "Learn To Hate You", James really hopes that fans will enjoy this song as an expansion and revelation of his ongoing musical journey as a songwriter, producer and artist. In fact this single is really born from that process.

"When you live your life surrounded by musical instruments, microphones and recording gear like I do," muses Michael, "eventually it just makes sense to press 'record' and live your life."