63. Michael Cristiano Part 1 - Unmasking the Maestro

Author: Lui Diaz, Elena Di Fiore, and Michael Cristiano
Published: Thu 20 Mar 2025
Episode Link: https://luidiazpodcast.substack.com/p/63-michael-cristiano-part-1-unmasking

Michael Cristiano is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer, best know for his work with Legendary Australian group The Seekers and now coming out from behind the scenes to lauch his debut solo album Mia Finira.

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Join Lui for an inspiring chat with Michael Cristiano, a Melbourne-born singer-songwriter, producer, and composer with Italian roots. In this first installment of a 2-part episode, Michael opens up about his new Italian album Mai Finirà, his storied career, and the influences that shaped him—from Elvis to his father’s serenades in Calabria. Recorded amidst the eclectic energy of Hosier Lane, this episode is a celebration of music, heritage, and life’s journey.

Highlights

* The Power of Live Music (00:26:28): Michael shares his love for live performance, highlighting how picking up a guitar and playing live still “freaks people out” in an era of digital production. His optimism shines as he champions the timeless triumph of authentic musical skill.

* A Journey in Thirds (00:13:44): Lui’s perceptive take on Mai Finirà—dividing it into nostalgia, reconciliation, and optimism—mirrors Michael’s creative intent, showcasing how music can transform personal struggles into a triumphant, universal story.

* Wisdom Over Youth (00:47:39): Reflecting on a lyric about the fountain of youth, Michael and Lui explore the profound beauty of simply liking who they are by embracing age and all of lifes experiences. Michael’s contentment with his life’s wisdom offers a hopeful, triumphant lens on not just growing older gracefully, but like a fine Italian wine, getting better with age.

What’s Next: Stay tuned for Part 2, where Lui and Michael dive deeper into his career, family influences, and perhaps even enjoy some fine Italian food—because it seems no episode of The Lui Diaz Podcast is really complete without a snack these days!

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🫶 Thanks again for listening and watching! Let us know what you think and catch you in the next episode.

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Audio Recorder - Zoom H6

Microphone - Shure SM58

Camera - Insta360 X4