“What drives me today is what always has – a passion for creating the best music I can.”
– Michael Cristiano
Michael Cristiano’s journey in music spans decades, driven by a constant pursuit of excellence. From his early days learning classical guitar to producing platinum albums, his passion for creating music remains his core focus. In this interview, Cristiano reflects on his experiences, achievements, and vision for the future of music.
Michael, it’s a pleasure to speak with you! To start, can you introduce yourself and share a little about your background, how your musical journey began, and what drives you today in your work?
Hi, I’m Michael Cristiano, a singer, songwriter, performer, composer, producer, and musician. I studied classical guitar from the age of six, delving into further studies in jazz, rock, composition and arrangement. I’m also a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. What drives me today is what always has – a passion for creating the best music I can.
Can you tell us about some of the most defining moments in your journey as a musician and producer?
Many memorable moments stand out to me, starting with my first paying gig when I was just twelve years old. Two years later, I formed my first band, ‘Rebel,’ with friends from school, which later became known as ‘7th Avenue.’ In my late teens, I joined the show band ‘Koco’ and had the opportunity to back many of the biggest international acts that toured Australia. After that, I played with The Seekers in 1988, became their Musical Director in 1990, and took on the role of Record Producer in 1992. One of my definite highlights was producing my first platinum-selling album, ‘The Seekers – The 25 Year Reunion Celebration.’
Many artists see music as a form of personal expression. How do you incorporate your own experiences and emotions into the music you create, whether for yourself or for other artists?
Music, like all the arts is absolutely a form of personal expression and communicating that expression to the audience is always the goal. Every note I play or sing draws on my musical influences and the emotion I am trying to convey. My own personal experiences are often the inspiration for my lyrics and melodies and even my production style.
How has working across various styles like rock, jazz, and country influenced your approach to composition and production?
The various musical genres I have worked in have given me a unique palette of musical colours to create with. They are all in a metaphorical ‘melting pot’ and everything I do is influenced by all the various styles I’ve explored. The real goal is always to find my own style, my own voice while drawing on the songs and artists that inspire me.
What do you believe is the most important advice or guidance you offer to up-and-coming musicians today?
My top piece of advice for aspiring musicians is to collaborate with a diverse range of artists. Seek opportunities to work alongside those who are more experienced than you; there’s so much to gain from their expertise. Keep your ears open and absorb everything you can. It’s crucial to never give up on your dreams. Most importantly, dedicate time to practice. Hone your skills consistently. Remember, your message as a musician, singer, songwriter, or producer holds little weight if you haven’t mastered the art of conveying it—so don’t forget to practice, practice, practice!
Michael, your work with The Seekers and your involvement in their “Back To Our Roots” album in 2019 seems to have brought fresh energy to the group’s legacy. Can you tell us about your experience working on that project and how it felt to revisit these songs?
‘The Seekers’ story has been well documented but not many people know that the genesis of the group stretches back to the 1950s and that ‘The Seekers’ were originally an all-male group. It was in these early formative years that Athol Guy, Keith Potger, Bruce Woodley and Ken Ray (who later left and was replaced by Judith Durham) crafted their unique vocal harmony style. Athol, Keith and Bruce often spoke about recording an album that featured just the four ‘boys’ and they asked me if I’d be the fourth voice. I was of course honoured. The album features songs they’d sung in earlier years and some they wished they’d sung. The experience of recording and then touring as the ‘The Original Seekers’ was just wonderful and I’m thrilled to now be part of the legend and music history.
In addition to your music, you’ve shown your support for healthcare workers through your song “Forever Grateful.” What motivated you to create such a heartfelt tribute, and what impact has it had on your audience?
COVID had a profound effect on many people, but arguably not as profound as the effect it had on the healthcare workers who were on the ‘frontline’, especially in the early stages of the pandemic. ‘Forever Grateful’ is a song of thanks and support for all the amazing people who did such a wonderful job during an unprecedented time in world history, and continue to do so today. It has been used by various healthcare organisations as their ‘anthem’ and audiences always request the song at my live shows. I also recorded a version in Italian, ‘Per Sempre Grato A Te’ dedicated to the healthcare workers in Italy who suffered terribly during the early stages of the pandemic.
As an artist who’s seen the industry evolve over the years, what do you think has been the most significant change in how music is created, produced, and consumed?
The most significant change in the way music is created is the advent of digital recording. Technology now puts tools that were only accessible by professional studio engineers in the hands of all musicians. It’s never been easier to create music and for artistic ideas to be realised. The most significant change in how music is consumed is of course digital streaming. Nearly all the world’s recorded music is now available on the various streaming platforms. It is today’s “radio” except we can choose the programming and what we want to hear, well, mostly.
Can you share with us the story behind one of your ARIA successes, or one of your favorite albums or projects that you’ve worked on, and what made it particularly meaningful to you?
‘The Seekers 25 Year Reunion Celebration’ is probably the most special to me as it was my first production that was certified ‘platinum’ and I was honoured to be asked to work on this project. Judith Durham had just re-joined the group after leaving in 1968 and the ‘The Seekers’ tour sold out across Australia and the UK. This led to me producing nearly all of the group’s subsequent albums and Judith’s solo albums.
Sustainability, creativity, and innovation are key values in our society. How do you see these principles shaping the future of music, and how do you incorporate them into your own work and the projects you support?
Sustainability, creativity, and innovation are as important in music as they are in all the arts. Creativity is the most important of all as this is the definition of art itself, “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination”. Innovation is equally important, particularly in music and we’ve seen huge leaps in technology that have changed the way music is created and consumed.
Your all-Italian album, released on November 1, is a remarkable project. What inspired you to create this album? Were there any unique challenges in crafting an all-Italian collection, and what does this project mean to you?
I’m excited about the positive reaction the album is receiving worldwide. Recording an all-Italian album of original songs has always been a dream of mine, as I have been a fan of Italian pop music since childhood. My father gave me a vinyl single of the Italian singer-songwriter Nicola Di Bari’s hit “Chitarra Suona Più Piano,” and I became hooked. I enjoyed every moment of recording the songs on the album. I played all the instruments, sang all the vocals, and produced the entire project. Even though I speak fluent Italian, the most challenging aspect for me was ensuring that my pronunciation of the lyrics was correct. Seeing the album resonate so strongly with international audiences is truly a dream come true.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Seeing the album resonate so strongly with international audiences is truly a dream come true.”
– Michael Cristiano
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What do you think of Michael Cristiano’s approach to music and collaboration?
- How has his journey shaped your understanding of creative work in music?
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Alignment with the UN SDGs
- Promotes creativity and innovation (SDG 9)
- Supports quality education through mentorship (SDG 4)
- Advocates for sustainable practices in the music industry (SDG 12)
- Highlights cultural diversity and inclusivity (SDG 10)
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