Review Fix chats with singer-songwriter Michael Burrows, who discusses his new track, “Please Don’t Cry,†which also features Crowded House’s Neil Finn.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Michael Burrows: I have always been playing and writing songs. My mother used to organize local family shows and invite the community to come and watch. I learned quickly how to perform and put on a show. I went to a musical high school but never learned to read or play an instrument.
At age 14, my best friend showed me how to play a bar chord on the guitar and taught me to play ‘Twist & Shout’. At the school dance, the band allowed me to play that song with them to open the night. It was an electric moment watching people dance and stare at me making music- I was hooked. I mimed the rest of that show as my amp was turned off, but I didn’t care. The girl I took to the dance ended up snogging another guy (whom I believe she ended up marrying) while I was busy on stage, so it was fate.
I played in bands in my twenties and then ran away from it all and pretended not to care. I never did stop writing songs but spent a lot of my 30’s creating a music studio writing jingles for TV & Radio which I still do today.
I’m not a spiritual man but I believe there’s a force that follows you around and if you happen to be in the right frame of mind at the right time, amazing things can happen…and they did.
Suddenly I was recording with my absolute hero, Neil Finn in his NZ studio, going on tour with another hero Martha Wainwright and then writing and recording with Grammy Award-winning artists Frank Myers, Jimmy Nichols and Steve Marcantonio in Nashville.
Review Fix: Who are your influences?
Burrows: Melody and honesty have always been the benchmarks I reach for with music and songwriting. Lately, my record player has been locked into Ron Sexsmith, Wilco & more Wilco, Blake Mills, Paul Kelly and a newish US artist David Ramirez.
Review Fix: How was this track born?
Burrows: I was trying to capture a moment between two people trying to navigate the end of a relationship. I had always loved ‘The Asshole Song’ by Jude an artist from LA. I took some inspiration from the character in that track who is leaving his girlfriend and admitting that he’s basically an asshole. The song fell into place within 30 minutes and hasn’t changed since. Please Don’t Cry was one of the songs recorded in the Neil Finn session featuring Neil’s vocals but I was so blown away and humbled by that experience I didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity and never released it. It did, however, validate me as an artist and give that song the direction, tone, color and tempo that it has today.
The guys in Nashville loved the song immediately and because we had some good studio time to really focus on it, the version of this EP is really exciting and I love playing it live.
Review Fix: What makes this song special?
Burrows: It’s a combination of great imagery, melody and a repetitive chorus that’s easy to recall and sing along to. I love the slide guitar parts which just lift the chorus and feel so George Harrison to me.

Review Fix: What was it like to work with Neil Finn?
Burrows: The opportunity to record with Neil came about via a charity he is heavily involved in called Medicine Mondial. We then exchanged some demos and he settled on a couple of songs. I was seriously thinking I’d be happy to just meet him, hang out a bit, ask a million questions, play through some songs and that’s it. What transpired was life-changing. Neil was so generous with his time recording with me. He had arranged a band to add some color to the recording and on the second night, he asked if he could put down some harmonies. I was ready to die in that NZ chair when I heard the tone of his voice coming out of the speakers singing my words. I still don’t think I’ve quite landed on earth from that experience. I sometimes isolate his vocals on that recording and listen back… just because I can.
Review Fix: What else did you learn from him?
Burrows: I learned that he doesn’t like his tea too milky and that I won’t ever be called back for my barista skills. I also watched Neil focus on the mix and on each part right until the end. I have footage of him with his head bowed down between the speakers for hours just listening to the nuance of each section. He honors the song and won’t rest until it has a feel that resonates and connects to him on some level.
Review Fix: How do you want this track to be remembered?
Burrows: It’s currently being played in-store at Coles nationally, so perhaps if it inspires people to buy flowers or chocolate to take home to their loved ones this could be the perfect legacy.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Burrows: I’m looking forward to releasing the next few singles off this EP and playing more shows. I have a bunch of new songs I’d like to get down on tape and a loose new project with my good friend Lior that might take shape as the year builds.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Burrows: I’m really active on socials like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter where I share secrets and random thoughts about daily life. I’ve also got a Spotify playlist with a whole lot of songs and artists I’m loving.
https://open.spotify.com/user/1233966668/playlist/0Q7YJBI1uZYp8DzBKXI994?si=7BzR8QVWSbW62gcwzOYz3A
Come join me on the following:
SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WRApQQ2Fzf6J81y0PFoYq?
si=_IE1xaUnSNGizMM3J9izMA
WEBSITE:
www.michaelburrowsmusic.com
INSTAGRAM: @michaelburrowsmusic
TWITTER: @mburrowsmusic
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