Michael Stewart writes the lyrics and Michael Quinn writes the music.
Together the two are bursting with new songs, songs they are keen to share and to involve fellow musicians in creating.
The two Michaels have been friends since age 10 at Iona College, but have struck up a musical friendship since Michael Stewart moved to Cleveland in 2016
Since COVID, he has been sending his lyrics to Quinn – a music teacher at Capalaba College – who puts selected songs to music.
“I sent the first song to the late Ted Seymour at Bay FM and he put it on and said he’d play it, Mr Stewart said.
“That’s been running ever since. I sent him another song and things got started.”
The song was entitled Everyone’s a Hero, a song about essential workers during COVID.
Since then the two Michaels have produced about 30 songs, most recorded at Capalaba College through their production company SM2 Productions which also involves music teacher Steve Brady.
More are promised with Stewart having a catalogue of lyrics to more than 700 songs.
Songs include Scottish Highlands featuring Melissa Pilkington, another teacher at Capalaba College and her brother Year 12 bagpiper Connor Pilkington.
“I have also approached Anita Taylor from the Redland City choir to perform the song,” he said.
“It would be perfect for them. We want to support the people out there and give them something unique.”
Another song is entitled Mexican Senorita’s Dance and Sounds of the Fallen.
Both songs feature Capalaba College’s instrumental music teacher Aaron Tickner on trumpet with Sounds of the Fallen sung by Redland vocalist April Parkinson.
Former student and later college music teacher Kiara Benjamin is the vocalist for Seasons. Also featured are drummer James Morrisson, guitarist Florent Devante and vocalist Jessica Briggs.
Mr Quinn said part of the process was to involve lots of people.
“We grew up at a time when it was part of you to involve the local community and bring people together,” Mr Quinn said.
“A school is the perfect to place to do this and build connections. Aaron is a teacher here, but he was chuffed to be involved in the recording.”
“We don’t stick to one genre. We just want to share our music and hope that people enjoy it,” Mr Stewart said.
“There are acres of stories. I send them to Michael and he says ‘I like that one’, then we concoct something together.
“We are good that way. We just get on. The creative process is to produce a good quality song.
“Weaving together lyrics and melodies in harmony frames the desire to breathe life into stories and ideas that uplift and inspire.”
Stewart said he was also keen to get the council to take steps to support local Redland City musicians.
The songs can be found on YouTube and Spotify by searching SM2 Productions.
