Michael Saleta shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Michael, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“Right now, a normal day for me kicks off between 6 and 6:30 a.m. with feeding and wrangling our three rescue cats, which is basically like running a small, furry breakfast club, plus the outdoor cat, Samantha, who stops by for her morning meal. Then it’s coffee in one hand, Vegemite on toast in the other, while I check emails, go over lyric notes, listen to audio of song start ideas, spin through worktapes, and check out new playlists and songs on Spotify to see what’s happening in country music. I’ll also look at my calendar for the week ahead, seeing what events, co-writes, and rounds are coming up and touch base with the writers or artists I’ve got booked in.
By mid-morning, I’m usually in a co-write here in Nashville, and we’ll go until mid-afternoon. If there’s time afterward, I’ll start a demo from that day’s worktape so the song doesn’t just sit there unfinished.
Evenings are either making dinner and chilling at home with my amazing wife Sarah, or heading out to play a writers’ round, catch someone else’s show, or do a bit of networking.
It’s full-on, but it’s exactly the life I set out to build here.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“I’m Michael Saleta, an Australian-born songwriter now based in Nashville, the heart of country music. After decades playing in rock bands back home, I shifted gears in 2019 to focus full-time on writing songs and that journey’s definitely been wild, rewarding, and nonstop.
What makes my work unique is the blend of my rock roots with a strong country storytelling sensibility, creating songs that connect emotionally but still have that edge and vibe.
I write, co-write, and demo songs daily, often collaborating with other songwriters and artists across the globe, though mostly here in Nashville.
Right now, I’m focused on growing my catalog with fresh songs that can cut through the noise, and I’m excited about upcoming projects including co-writes, writers’ rounds, and new demos that reflect real life, heart, and grit.”
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
“The relationship that’s most shaped how I see myself is absolutely the one I share with my incredible wife, Sarah. She’s my everything, my constant support, my sounding board, and the person who’s believed in me even when I had doubts myself. I honestly wouldn’t be the man I am today, nor hold the deep belief in myself and my craft, without her by my side. Sarah has taught me what true partnership really looks like – patience, resilience, and unconditional love. She’s not just my wife; she’s my life partner, my biggest fan, and the quiet force behind everything I do.
Together, we’ve built a life far from my Australian roots, facing challenges and celebrating wins that have shaped my perspective on both life and songwriting.
Her unwavering faith in me pushes me to dig deeper in my writing and to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough the road gets. To sum it up Sarah isn’t just part of my story, she’s the reason I have the courage and heart to tell it.”
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell him to chill out a bit and trust the journey. I was always chasing the next gig, the next song, or the next breakthrough, and while that drive’s been good, sometimes I was too hard on myself. I’d say, ‘Mate, it’s okay to stumble, it’s okay to change direction, and it’s definitely okay to ask for help.’ Most importantly, I’d tell him to believe in his own voice, not just the loudest one in the room, but the one that feels true inside. The road won’t be straight, and there’ll be plenty of bumps, but every twist and turn is part of building who you’ll become. And oh don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Because at the end of the day, it’s the stories, the people, and the music that matter most.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say what really matters to me is connection, with the people I love, with the artists and writers I work with, and with the audiences who hear songs ive written. They’d probably tell you I value loyalty, authenticity, dad jokes and showing up for the people who matter. Music is my passion, but it’s also the vehicle for telling real stories and making genuine human connections. They know my marriage to Sarah is at the heart of everything I do, and that family, including the four-legged members is a big part of my world. At the end of the day, I care most about leaving people feeling seen, heard, and appreciated, whether that’s through a song, a conversation, or just being there when it counts.”
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
“I’m doing what I was born to do. My mum was one of eleven kids, and she was a well known rock ’n’ roll dancer. Four of her brothers were musicians, so I grew up surrounded by music and dancing, it was just part of everyday life. With that in my blood, it was inevitable I’d pick up a guitar at some point, and once I did, it led me straight into songwriting. No one told me to do it, but my parents always encouraged me, and that support gave me the confidence to chase it. Over the years, I’ve worn different hats: playing in rock bands, touring, shifting into country music, and now making songwriting my full-time life. It’s not always the easiest road, but it’s the most honest one for me, and I couldn’t imagine living any other way.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelsaletamusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelsaletamusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@michaelsaleta1595?si=kQ3jv_r_C7sLJjPN
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mikalrock
- Other: https://linktr.ee/michaelsaletamusic
