Songwriter Spotlight: Michael Saleta

Featured Songwriters by Team Frettie on October 02, 2019

We're excited to introduce you to member, Michael Saleta! We sure appreciate him and his music around here, and we hope you'll take a moment to get to know him, too. If you think Michael is as cool as we do, please share this around!

- How did you get started in songwriting?
When I was 16 years old, I started a band in High School and I found it hard to learn other peoples songs and just decided to make my own for the band. We recorded 2 EP’s (badly, I might add) but ,hey, everyone starts somewhere for better or worse.

- What’s your biggest success to date?
Writing a song for one of the Bali Bombing survivors, Nicole Mclean, back in 2003. It was featured on 60 Minutes in Australia, and we performed the song in Canberra, which is the equivalent to Washington, at parliament house for the prime minister and the heads of state and invited guests for the 1 year memorial of the bombings. Nicole also wrote a book several years later and there is a chapter in the book about the song, me writing it for her and the things that happened because of the song. It really was a humbling experience.

- What are you working on just now?
Right at this moment, I was doing a mix-down of a song i co-wrote with a young writer/artist in the making by the name of Andrew Mack who is from Nashville. I met him at NSAI Song Camp. I have been working with around 30 different co-writers during this trip to Nashville, which has produced a bunch of songs!

- What are your goals for the next 6 months? And how are you planning to achieve them?
When I get home from Nashville, I will need to chill for a minute to adjust back to normality, but I will continue to write with as many writers I have met in Nashville as I can via Skype. I have put plans in place to return to Nashville at the end of March- in time for Tin Pan South, and I will stay for one month. Between now and then, I just want to keep writing as much as I can to get better and maintain the relationships with my co-writers from Nashville.

- What’s the best piece of songwriting advice you’ve ever been given?
Show up to write something every day!

- Who are your influences, and how have they shaped your songwriting?
Biggest influence is the Beatles. Years ago, they did shape how I wrote, but now days not so much of their direct influence. Great melody, harmony and catchy songs is what I learned the most from the Beatles. And I try to implement those factors when writing alone or with others.
I am also influenced by The Eagles, Bee Gees, Foo Fighters and Butch Walker. I think listening to all of them over the years they have each crept into my songwriting one way or another. My influences have always had melodies that interest me.

- What has been your biggest challenge so far? How have you overcome it? (Or, how you are aiming to overcome it, if you haven’t overcome it yet!)
My biggest challenge was depression. I actually didn't know what was going on with myself and wasted a lot of years not knowing where I was going. Losing the connection with my teenage daughters hit me hard but my fiancee’ encouraged me to get help, so I did and got my life back on track and really got stuck into my songwriting and rediscovered how much I loved it. I overcame my challenges one step at a time and now have focus to succeed. I meditate, listen to positive podcasts, music industry podcasts that also help me stay on track to keep away from the darkness of my past.
 
- We are all aiming for “success”, but that can mean different things to different people – what does it mean for you?
Success is being happy, for me. Finishing a song is success, one person liking it is success, people clapping to your song is success. I have had success in the past that gave me moments of happiness but it didn't last. I feel even taking the leap to travel across the globe to write songs is success.

- What advice would present-day-Michael give to just-starting-out-songwriting-Michael?
Keep showing up and keep writing, you got this...

- What’s your favorite song of yours so far, and why is it your favorite?
I don't have a favorite, I've had so many emotions poured into songs and I've written too many to have any favorites.

- What’s your favorite trick or technique to get writing on those days where inspiration doesn’t just strike like a bolt from the blue?
There no real trick. I just pick up the guitar and play around, challenge myself to write using different chords, and most of the time things just flow. If it sux, I’m ok with that, onto the next idea.

- If you could write a song with any songwriter or performing artist (past or present, alive or otherwise), who would it be, and why them?
I would choose John Lennon because he is a Beatle and although it’s a hit and me for me with his songs I just find him to be very interesting and honest at the same time.

- What are your hobbies outside of music and songwriting?
The biggest thing I love is cooking- I love cooking for others and from all reports, my food tastes incredible.

- How is the music scene and industry where you live?
It’s interesting, lots of cover muso’s. There are original acts/artists. Its thriving for sure. I would say now experiencing Nashville that the industry isn't as helpful as here.

- What kind of writing space do you have?
I have a bedroom at home i do a lot of writing and recording in (picture enclosed)

You can follow Michael on Instagram with a CLICK HERE.

You can listen to Michael's music on Frettie with a CLICK HERE!

Thanks for being a part of things here, Michael!

-Team Frettie

PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie! We appreciate it. As a matter of fact, we want to give you a special little something just for your visit. It's our FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can download it at www.GiftFromBrent.com.