INTERVIEW WITH MUSIC MAKER MICHAEL ANGELO
- Sarah Manovski
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Creativity, Adaptability and the Future of Songwriting: A Conversation with Michael Angelo Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and entrepreneur Michael Angelo shares his thoughts on collaboration, AI, creativity and building a sustainable songwriting career.
As part of The Song Method research project, I spoke with Michael Angelo, a Grammy Award-nominated songwriter, producer and entrepreneur whose career has been built through determination, adaptability and an independent approach to the music industry.
Alongside his work as a songwriter and producer, Michael is actively exploring how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can enhance creative and business workflows. Our conversation explored collaboration, songwriting methodologies, creative awareness, AI and the future of songwriter development.
Every Great Song Starts With Understanding People
When asked how he approaches writing with different artists, Michael explained that every session begins with conversation rather than music.
Rather than arriving with pre-written ideas or production, he spends significant time getting to know the artist before writing begins.
"I've always approached it like a mirror. My speakers are a reflection of that artist."
He described spending the first hour of many sessions simply talking.
"I want to know what they've been through recently, their life story, what's important to them. Somewhere in that conversation there's usually a hook that becomes the entry point into the song."
For Michael, songwriting is about discovering authentic emotional experiences rather than inventing stories.
"I don't like writing songs that aren't personal. I'm looking for the source of inspiration in someone's life."
Once that emotional connection is established, he moves to the piano.
"The piano is always my safest point of entry."
From there, chords, melody and lyrics develop naturally before production and genre are introduced later in the process.
Awareness Is the Greatest Skill
When discussing advice for emerging songwriters, Michael immediately identified one quality above all others.
"Awareness is my number one tool."
Rather than referring only to musical ability, he described awareness as understanding yourself, your collaborators and the creative environment around you.
"Awareness of myself, awareness of the people I'm working with, awareness of what's important to them and awareness of my own skillset."
This level of emotional intelligence, he believes, allows writers to communicate ideas more effectively and adapt to a wide variety of creative situations.
AI Is Changing Songwriting-But Not Creativity
As someone actively integrating artificial intelligence into his business, Michael acknowledged that AI is already transforming music production.
"The barriers to entry have gone."
He explained that people with little formal production experience can now create professional-sounding recordings using AI tools that have been trained on decades of existing music.
While recognising both the opportunities and challenges this presents, Michael believes AI should be viewed as another creative tool rather than a replacement for human artistry.
"AI isn't going away."
Drawing comparisons with the arrival of digital recording technology and software production, he suggested that technological change has always been part of music's evolution.
However, he believes the human purpose of songwriting remains unchanged.
"The point of music is to connect and communicate with other people."
Using AI as a Creative Assistant
Rather than fearing AI, Michael sees value in using it to accelerate idea generation.
"It's all about how you use it."
He compared AI to other songwriting shortcuts that writers already accept, such as rhyme dictionaries or lyric websites.
"AI is a shortcut. It helps you get ideas faster and become more productive."
Ultimately, he believes the songwriter remains responsible for selecting, refining and communicating ideas that genuinely resonate with listeners.
Creative Methodologies Become Intuition
During our discussion we explored songwriting methodologies including freewriting, improvisation and structured creative exercises.
Michael agreed that these approaches can strengthen songwriting, although he emphasised that emotional instinct is often more important than technical formulas.
"The music maths that I like most are emotional."
Rather than relying solely on theory, he explained that songwriters gradually internalise creative tools until they become intuitive.
"The knowledge sits in the back of your mind."
One particularly interesting insight emerged when discussing freewriting.
Although Michael had never considered it this way before, he realised he had been applying the same principle to music production for years.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he challenged himself to create over 1,300 production ideas without worrying whether they would ever become finished songs.
"It wasn't about using them—it was about getting the clutter out."
He believes this practice dramatically improved both his songwriting and production skills.
"Post-COVID I felt like I was a much better songwriter and producer because of that freewriting."
Building an International Career
When asked what advice he would offer aspiring songwriters, Michael's answer was simple.
"Make the commitment."
He encouraged emerging writers to fully invest in developing their craft, study successful songs, collaborate regularly and continually seek opportunities to improve.
"The more you work with other people, the more you learn."
Equally important, however, is living a life outside music.
Michael believes authentic songwriting comes from genuine experiences rather than simply spending every day in the studio.
"Music comes from life experience."
He also highlighted the importance of patience and persistence.
By consistently improving their skills and building relationships, songwriters naturally attract the collaborators, managers and publishers who can help move their careers forward.
The Future of Songwriter Development
Throughout our conversation, one idea continually resurfaced: creativity is not fixed.
Whether discussing AI, collaboration, production or songwriting methodologies, Michael consistently emphasised curiosity, self-awareness and continuous learning.
His perspective suggests that successful songwriters are not simply talented individuals-they are adaptable learners who continually refine their creative process while remaining open to new ideas and technologies.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into music production, Michael believes the industry's greatest competitive advantage will remain fundamentally human: the ability to communicate authentic emotion and meaningful stories that connect with other people.
Key Insights
Michael Angelo's interview reinforces several important themes emerging throughout The Song Method research:
Songwriting begins with understanding people before writing music.
Authentic conversations often reveal the strongest lyrical concepts.
Awareness of yourself, your collaborators and your creative strengths is essential for long-term success.
AI should be viewed as a creative assistant that accelerates idea generation rather than replacing human creativity.
Structured songwriting methodologies gradually become intuitive through repeated practice.
Creative exercises such as freewriting can be applied to both lyric writing and music production.
Collaboration remains one of the most effective ways for emerging songwriters to improve their skills.
Successful songwriting careers require commitment, curiosity, resilience and ongoing personal development.
Perhaps the most compelling insight from Michael's interview is that great songwriting is not simply about musical ability. It is equally about emotional awareness, adaptability and the willingness to continually learn. As technology reshapes the music industry, these human qualities may become even more valuable, reinforcing the importance of songwriter education that develops both creative skills and creative thinking.
Interview by Sarah Manovski
The Song Method Research Interview Series
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