Today marks a significant milestone for highly acclaimed producer and musical prodigy Michael Cristiano. Having spent decades producing albums for the likes of The Seekers, Judith Durham, and more recently Mirusia, Russell Morris, JD Smith and Suellen Cusack (to name a few), today his talent shines through in his new all-italian album, ‘Mai Finirà’.

Every note and every lyric on all 12 tracks of ‘Mai Finirà’ is authentically Michael Cristiano. With ‘Spero Che Ti Vuole’, ‘Sangue Tricolore’ and ‘Anima Antica pre-released, he has garnered the support of international radio and media outlets including Radio Italiana 531, Radio Italia Uno, Rete Italia Australia, West Coast Italian Radio Network, Silvermusic Radio, Radio Saint-Dié, Unica Radio, Montréal Radio Cité and European Indie Music Network.

As an Italo Australian who has followed Italian music icons like Nek and Raf, I am delighted to share my chat with world class recording artist Michael Cristiano, who now takes centre stage, with his new album ‘Mai Finirà’.

What inspired you to create an all-Italian album for your latest project, ‘Mai Finirà’?

“The inspiration for an all-Italian album really begins with my father. He had an incredible voice and would often sing some of the great Neapolitan songs or famous songs from the Italian operas. I was only six or seven years old, but I would accompany him on the guitar.

He would often buy me vinyl singles, and one day, he brought home a copy of Nicola Di Bari’s ‘Chittara Suona Più Piano’, and I was captivated by the beautiful guitar intro and how wonderful his voice sounded singing in Italian. I learned every note, and I still sing that song today.

I have wanted to record an album of all original Italian songs for years, but the timing was never quite right. However, a few years ago, I started collaborating with Raffaella Foxx, a wonderfully talented songwriter who writes lyrics in Italian (and English). I really loved her romantic, poetic style so I wrote the music and recorded a couple of songs and I really liked where the whole thing was headed so I decided to record an entire album.“

How has your Italian heritage influenced your musical style and song themes?

“There is something quite special about singing in Italian. I sing differently in Italian; it comes from a different place, and I feel that, as a singer, I can emote more. This is obviously my heritage influencing the way I express myself musically.

Thematically, the songs on this album are about love and loss. It has a romantic feel lyrically but often placed against a more aggressive musical background of heavy drums and distorted guitars. I love the contrast, I feel it makes it more passionate and emotional.”

Can you share with us your experience working with Raffaella Foxx and how it has impacted your creative process for this album?

“Working with Raffaella has been a wonderful experience and we write together constantly. She is a very talented songwriter and a fine public speaker, too. Quite often, she’ll send me one of her song ideas, and we’ll collaborate either in person or on the phone, swapping ideas around. Then I start the process arranging the music and of course singing and recording the song.“

What do you hope listeners will take away from the songs in ”Mai Finirà”

“That love never ends…”

How did you balance your varying roles in the creation of this album?

“As a record producer, I’m used to wearing many hats. I arranged, played all the instruments, sang all the vocals and recorded and mixed the whole album. It’s something I’m used to as I’ve done it for many artists. Luckily I can play and write for most instruments – I guess the years of study paid off.”

What challenges did you face in producing an all-Italian album, and how did you overcome them?

“My biggest challenge was making sure my pronunciation was correct, or as correct as possible. There are so many dialects in Italy; much like English, everyone speaks slightly differently. Many have said that they can tell from my accent that I am from the South (my ancestry is Calabrian), but that’s OK; I am proud of that. If Mick Jagger can make an entirecareer from singing in an American accent, I figure I’m in good company.”

How do you see your music evolving in the future, especially in relation to your Italian heritage and musical influences?

“I’ve already started working on a new Italian album and I’ve also been approached by various artists who are interested in recording a duet with me so I’m looking forward to releasing some new material in the second half of 2025.”

What message or emotions do you aim to convey through the upcoming release of ‘Mai Finirà’ and the rest of the album?

“As per the album title, “it never ends”- well, until you give up, so live and love as much as you can. Do not lie down, do not go quietly…”

Michael Cristiano’s new album, ‘Mai Finirà‘, is now available to stream across all digital music platforms, with limited signed copies available for purchase on Great Music Lives Forever.