Artist Interview : Michael Lyon onThe Guy Who Won

Michael Lyon is an American singer-songwriter and folk artist with a musical consciousness that is reminiscent of artists like Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon. His music covers the many values, stories, and experiences of life. He is a classic storyteller. His lyrics, albeit simple, carry deep and poignant themes and perspectives. In his latest single, ‘The Guy Who Won’, Michael Lyon sings in celebration of a rightfully elected leader who will lead his country to victory and freedom. It is especially relevant with the upcoming presidential elections. Choosing a leader is a great responsibility, and Michael Lyon helps us remember the important things. The track is crafted with enriching acoustic frills. Michael’s piercing baritones ring through it as he rejoices in the healing of his country and looks forward to its glorious future. A sincere, heartfelt, and a feel-good track.

The artist talks to Apollo’s Harp about everything that went into making this track, his inspiration, ideologies, thoughts, and his craft in general. In light of his insightful answers, one can’t help but appreciate the interconnectedness of his music with everything that he is. It is a beautiful read!

1. Congratulations on the release of ‘The Guy Who Won’! It is a very special track with such a beautiful message. What led you to write this song and what do you want your listeners to take away from it?

So glad to hear you like it! Everyone who cares about the kind of free and fair elections that make democracy possible has their own way of responding to the drama that's been playing out over the last few years since 2020's U.S. presidential election. My reaction continues to be a mixture of shock, sadness, and disbelief. Making the song, The Guy Who Won, is my way of imagining a path of reason America can take toward a better future this election year.

Most of us have watched the spectacle unfold endlessly on TV: Biden wins the November 2020 election... Trump claims without evidence the election was "rigged" and "stolen" and becomes the first president in U.S. history to balk at the American tradition of a calm and peaceful transition of power... Trump goes to court dozens of times (always loses) pressures his Vice President not to certify the election and hatches various unsuccessful schemes like the "fake electors plot" to try to stay in power... He keeps repeating the "big lie" that he "won" at every opportunity... His supporters attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2020 in a desperate attempt to prevent the official certification of the election (people die there in the chaos; the insurrection fails)... Many of Trump's supporters and associates are convicted of crimes and go to jail (Trump himself now faces 91 felony criminal indictments, embracing the strategy of "delay, delay," hoping to have his many trials put off until after the 2024 election so he can pardon himself should he get elected again)... Does that stop him from continuing to foam at the mouth, doubling down on doom & gloom, retribution, isolationism, channeling Hitler, praising Putin and other favorite dictators, etc.? Are you kidding? Month after month the whole thing gets nuttier, and just when you think it can't get more crazy... or that the group of politicians backing him (which used to consider itself the party of "law and order" before surrendering any remaining ideals in a show of fealty to the emperor with no clothes) would start thinking about putting considerations such as "reality" and the future of the country over an unquenchable craving for power at any cost... well, the twists and turns just keep coming.

With the country now in the midst of its white-knuckle roller coaster ride of an election season, when it comes to this song I'm thinking: Take a deep breath, and as voters go about making up their minds who to support this time around, let's begin by getting back to basics about who (really) won last time.

2. We love your classic, old-school interpretations of folk-rock, very refreshing and authentic. Who are some of the artists who influenced your style?

What an incredible array of folk-rockers and singer-songwriters to be grateful for! At the risk of naming only a couple dozen (but omitting mention of dozens of other legendary talents): Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, The Who, Simon & Garfunkel, Peter, Paul & Mary, Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Ralph McTell, Jackson Browne, The Highwaymen, Bok, Muir & Trickett, John Prine, Dan Fogelberg, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., and Glen Hansard. I can't say I've attended concerts by each and every one of them, but it's long been thrilling to have been able to see the vast majority.

3. What about folk-rock appeals to you? And how do you think it feeds and inspires your music?

As music takes you so many unforgettable places, I've often found folk-rock to be the catalyst for a journey enabling the message behind a song to form a deep connection with the important moments in life. As folk-rock entertains, it also has the power to remind you that songs can - and do - change the world. The artists just mentioned strike me as textbook examples of what's possible in finding your unique voice. Their examples have inspired me to believe that "the sky's the limit" once you're able to get in rhythm with yourself.

4. Your compositions have an organic and more so, a storytelling flow to it. What role does storytelling play in your craft and how does it guide you through your creative process?

Storytelling teaches (among other things) the value of appreciating beginnings, middles and endings. As with the unfolding of our lives, a story ushers you from one stage to the next. I think that's similar to the birth and growth of a song. As a songwriter, you're given the gift of a beginning melodic, rhythmic, or lyrical impulse from The Muse. If you put off opening up the present until later you might discover that the gift has vanished. Better to be grateful enough, "in the moment," to immediately treat the gift like the precious living thing it is. Give it enough attention, love and care, and over a period of time, like a child, it has the potential to grow up and become something extra-special.

5. What are some of the themes/ ideas that you find yourself returning to, either to polish, refine or just revisit?

Look at The Beatles. They realized a long time ago that the BIG idea was love. As difficult and awful as things can get in the world, nothing I've heard or seen since leads me to believe "the answer" to our vast array of problems is anything other than that. (A song of mine called "Love" puts it like this: youtu.be/7nPdwphQW2I ) So yes, while I continue exploring themes such as freedom, justice, right versus wrong... I know that I - as we all do - will keep coming back to the ultimate task at hand: waking up each day in search of a better understanding of how to put the idea of love into practice.

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The track is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘The Guy Who Won’ by Michael Lyon here - 

Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.