Michael Lyon’s music is a mesmerizing amalgam of musings immersed in meaning. Michael’s unique style of California pop, with its uncomplicated organic feel, stems from a combination of his instrumental talents, upbeat vocals, and the messages that sprout from his seasoned lyrical craft.
His creative goal is to spread musical sunshine as bright as on the California coast where he resides. For Michael, the sunlight makes even songs grow, and it seems the shining source of his style and songs.
In this interview spotlight, I catch up with Michael to discuss adapting during COVID, the latest music and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Michael, great to chat with you again! How have things been? Especially in this COVID eat COVID world…?
It’s been surreal, to say the least, especially when you consider everything that’s been turning life in the U.S. upside down since Covid blew on to the scene in early 2020, including: the protests over police violence (against racial injustice)… the assault on our democracy by the former president and his enablers, culminating in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, etc.
How have you been adapting to these “new times”?
Thanks in large part to the lightning-fast development of life-saving vaccines to allow one to begin to do things long taken for granted until Covid struck (in my case, like shopping at Trader Joe’s without fearing that that carton of milk or small container of chicken curry salad could well turn out to be my last…) I must say, I’m adapting a lot better today than I was even three or four months ago!
One big help in adapting to these new times has been the very act of writing songs about this new reality. One of those that appear to be striking a chord with some (such as the people currently battling a Covid surge in India) is my recent song, “How Long It Takes.” https://youtu.be/njNnXVWnXrw
Have you been collaborating with anyone worth plugging or just enjoying the music of anyone else you want to links us to?
To me, the world’s best collaborator, bar none, was/is & always will be… The Muse, whom I personally cannot thank enough for NOT abandoning me during the pandemic. If anything, Mr. (& Mrs.) Muse has been more generous with song ideas than ever. Why is that? Perhaps it has something to do with the sudden necessity of approaching life in such a way that not only is each moment to be “protected”(from getting the virus) but also savored and celebrated as part of yet another special day unlike any other, and surely not one to be wasted.
What was the biggest takeaway you received from 2020? Any epiphanies? Self-healing? Other interesting things?
Beginning in 2020 I’ve made it a habit to watch the PBS NewsHour each Friday evening where they profile five people who have lost their lives to the pandemic. Simply watching those profiles and feeling the heartbreak in each of those life stories (suddenly cut short) brings forth tears every time I tune into that segment, but it also strengthens my determination to live life to the fullest while there’s still time to do so.
Where is the best place to connect with you for the latest tunes?
I’m hardly an unbiased source, but just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I’d have to answer: “There’s no place like home” – that is to say, please visit my website: https://www.MichaelLyonMusic.com
Anything else before we sign off?
It’s a genuine pleasure receiving your questions – thanks so very much!
