We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michal Bush. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michal below.

Michal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

About once a year I seriously ask myself whether it’s time to “give up the dream” and get a regular job. Usually this is when I am exhausted and discouraged. Being an artist means endless hustle – every milestone I have achieved that I thought would be classified as “making it” – has only confirmed that there is not such thing as certainty in this industry. Often I will spend days looking at available jobs online, wondering which transferable skills will get me a 9-5 steady income.

But every single time I seriously consider giving it up – I find my way back to my passion, my energy and my foolish optimism that anything is possible.

I’ve come to realise this is a necessary process for me to stay connected to my “why” for what I do.
I may not have job security and a predicable income – but I get to create my own success over and over again through working hard on something I absolutely adore doing. Something I believe brings so much good and joy into the world.
At this point in my career I feel way too deep into it to turn back. Which really is a gift.

I’m also thankful to have a beautifully supportive village in my husband, children, friends and family. Anytime the future feels foggy they are my hype team – reminding me that what I create has huge value – and that I’m darn good at what I do.

So while I have wobbly moments of doubt and stress – at the end of the day I am SO happy as an artist and truly feel as though I’m living my dream – and I have a lot more dreaming left to do!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Michal, and I’m in the business of bringing joy.

Best known as “Music with Michal” – I am a songwriter, singer, performer, content creator, business woman and mum!
I live in Christchurch, New Zealand with my three young daughters, husband, grumpy cat and crazy puppy.

A songwriter and musician since childhood – I began to focus on children’s music when my eldest daughter Harper was born in 2012. Being very. much in the club of “write what you know”… what I knew all of a sudden… was that I needed this baby to sleep. And so I started writing lullabies. Lots and lots of lullabies.

Before long I had formed a duo ‘Petite Music Box’ with my French friend Emma Hughes-Martinet – and we began recording, releasing and performing our songs around our community. We were early adopters of live-streaming on facebook – and built a large following through weekly live music times online.

In 2019 Emma moved back to France and I debuted as a solo artist with a mission to continue to build a community online for mums who felt “stuck at home” with their children.
Things really kicked up a notch during COVID when EVERYONE was literally stuck at home. And I was privileged to spend every day of our New Zealand lock down beaming in to families homes all around the country and beyond – bringing children joy and parents some respite!

In 2020 I released my debut album ‘Can You Make Music?” which saw me awarded with “Best Children’s Song’ at the NZ Music Awards, and the following year I was crowned ‘Best Children’s Artist’ at the same awards for my following album ‘Summer Days’.

As my children have grown my songwriting too has expanded – you’ll hear many genres within my own signature style and can find music for any mood or occasion- whether that be a moment of calm or an energetic dance party.

Receiving funding from NZ on Air (the government agency commissioned to fund media in our beautiful country) allowed me to work with producers Vic and Andy Knopp (The Response) who have made my sound everything I dreamed it could be.

Last year I turned my attention to Television and YouTube – co-creating a series ‘Michal and Moe’ alongside Jeremy Dillon which aired early January on SKY TV and has earned over 5 million views on YouTube.

While songwriting and performing are my first loves – my passion lies in creating content that lifts the wellbeing of children and their families. Having my own journey with anxiety and depression, as well as working alongside incredible therapists like Julie Wylie and Sandy Hitchens, paired with my experience as a mother – has allowed me to build a knowledge, understanding and approach to using music as a powerful wellbeing tool.

As I said – the business of bringing joy.

It’s hard to summarise exactly what I do other than that. I love to create. To branch out and try new things.
Which is why my portfolio includes

– 4 albums
– 6 children’s books
– a TV series
– a thriving YouTube channel
– vibrant performances ranging from small theatres to large events of thousands
– mindful music classes
– jingle writing service (I love writing catchy jingles for companies!)
– weekly livestreams
– musical play with children alongside therapists
– lots of fun on social media

Are you exhausted ready that? because I sure am – exhausted and HAPPY.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think it can be hard to explain the energy that it takes to constantly create, and then have to find more energy to commit to the business side of being an artist.

I feel as though I give out so much of myself every time I perform. This is intentional. I want my little audiences to feel fully seen – know I am so excited to see them, just as they are to see me, and put a lot of energy into making sure every interaction is one that will leave them feeling great. It’s a vulnerable thing to put yourself out there – no matter how many times you’ve done it before – you are putting your heart on your sleeve in pursuit of connection that counts.

As much as I am energised by singing with children (and I am) – it can be a difficult transition to then come home and sit alone for hours doing admin, editing, production, writing, paying bills, chasing invoices, chasing leads, strategising on your next step, applying for funding and keeping up on social media.

It takes a lot of drive to maintain a career in the arts – and a lot of business skills that go unseen.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

That comparison is the thief of joy!

In my early years as an artist I felt a sense of competition amongst my pairs. It felt as though we were all after the same small piece of cake – that there wasn’t enough to go around and that if someone else got it, then I would miss out.

This point of view leads no where good. It kills creativity. It ruins relationships. And it makes your miserable.

I see the world so differently these days. It’s big, and expansive and there is room for all of us.
The children’s music community is so connected to each other – in a way that I think is rare and very special.
Even in my (not very huge) city – I am close friends with two children’s groups – Loopy Tunes Music and Itty Bitty Beats. By all accounts we are in competition in a small market – except that we aren’t at all.
We all have a different flavour and focus to bring to the table.
We are stronger because we have each other to lean on.
We constantly refer jobs to each other when we know they aren’t quite right for us.
We call to vent when things get tough and are the first to congratulate each other for our wins.
We are ‘women supporting women’ in action and these women have taught me how to choose lifting up others over living with a scarcity mindset.

And I can tell you in full honesty – the more I have leaned into celebrate others – and letting go of any jealousy – the more I have flourished and found success in my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: musicwithmichal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicwithmichal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicwithmichal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michal-bush-96a297206/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@musicwithmichal/featured

Image Credits
Charlie Rose Creative Lightchasers