Australian native Michael Burrows recorded his forthcoming project, Turn This Love Around, in Nashville at Ocean Way Studios. However, you can jam the two lead singles right now (keep scrolling).
Back in Australia, Michael produces music for television and advertisements, but you should also know he has been co-writing with Grammy-award winning artist Frank Myers who penned the crossover chart-topping single I Swear (John Michael Montgomery or All 4 One, anyone?) among many others.
Additonal noteworthy names behind the recording and production of Burrows upcoming release include producer Jimmy Nichols (former musical director for Faith Hill and Reba McEntire) and Grammy-award winning engineer Steve Marcantonio (whose credentials include John Lennon, J. Geils, George Strait, Alabama, Thomas Rhett, Taylor Swift and Steven Tyler).
With all this talent and influence packed into one EP, what could possibly go wrong?
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Michael about motivations, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m from a little city called Melbourne, at the bottom of Australia. We have a really thriving music scene here with a lot of talented bands and performers playing any night of the week. I’ve always gravitated towards the folk- rock scene and that’s the kind of music I write. I’m a sucker for a good melody and a chorus you can singalong to. The band all live in the same city which makes it easier but lately I’ve been doing solo acoustic shows which are also fun.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I grew up in a very musical family. Dad can play most instruments and would always be improvising on guitar, piano or Harmonica. I’ve always been captivated by the way a song could describe my own life better than I could articulate it myself. Songs become the soundtrack to life and the songwriters become legends in your mind because you feel like you know them, and they know you. I was performing in front of the class or at music shows my parents would put on for the local community. My brother and cousins all played instruments so every get-together would turn into a jam.
We learnt the power of music and the way it could entertain and connect emotion with strangers. In High School my best friend allowed me to play guitar at the school dance and as I only knew one song, he turned the amp down and I mimed the whole show. The girl I took to the dance ended up kissing another guy but I didn’t care, it was so thrilling watching the crowd dance to the music we were making on stage and I was hooked.
The reaction I get from playing is addictive. I’m always amazed that you can write these little songs in private, and then release them into the universe and they take on a life of their own. Hearing my songs on radio, hearing people sing the songs back to you and connecting with people’s lives is what makes me keep wanting to produce.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Turn This Love Around is a really special song. I was carrying this around for a year or so. It was previously called Hinges and I had even recorded a demo version with my hero Neil Finn (Crowded House/ Fleetwood Mac). I thought the song was complete but took it to Nashville where I was working the EP with Grammy Award winning songwriter Frank Myers. We sat down to look at the songs and he felt this was unfinished.
I’m really proud of the twists and turns the song took to fall into shape and the band really brought it to life. It’s incredible watching the journey of a song. The final version is great to sing. It really is about never giving up on love and if it’s a love worth fighting for, then you got to turn around and fight for it.
The song was picked up by radio in both Australia and the US and reached some significant chart positions including currently sitting at No 24 on the US Billboard AC charts. This is a big deal as I’m the only independent artist in the top 30.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
It’s a really interesting time to be an independent artist. On the one hand there are so many channels to get your music heard, find an audience and connect, but on the other hand it’s so much more competitive to cut through and really make your music stand out. I have a small team and we work so hard for every win. Without a label we’ve done an amazing job. Charting in two countries and gaining huge radio support. It’s a daily grind but there’s also something special about achieving this without the huge backing and network that goes with that.
Spotify is a definite game changer for the industry and we’d love to have more playlist support but being relatively unknown makes it hard to get attention. If I had my time again, I would just get my music out and onto the socials and start getting feedback. Young people really can put a track out on Monday and develop a huge fanbase by the end of the week.
I actually really enjoy socials like Instagram where I can be spontaneous and actually chat with new fans.
What was the last song you listened to?
Secret Heart by Ron Sexsmith. He’s one of my favourite songwriters. I’d love to work with him or open for a show anytime.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I’m still a collector of vinyl. I love flipping through boxes at markets and thrift stores. You just can’t beat the feel and sound. I also subscribe to Spotify so I guess it’s both ends of the spectrum but they both work. I get as much satisfaction knowing I have every song in my pocket at all times. It’s comforting.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Spotify is my go to collection. My favourite thing to do is read my monthly music review magazine and play the new releases as I’m reading. It’s only possible to do that with a digital service like that. I love making playlists like mixtapes from my childhoodand I love hearing my songs on other people’s playlists around the world.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Here’s the first two singles off the EP
Turn This Love Around
Please Don’t Cry
Socials
