This week on Songwriter Trysts, Rae Leigh sits down with Michi, a Virginia-born, Madrid-based indie folk artist whose music blends heartbreak, humour, and brutally honest storytelling. Picking up her first guitar at just three years old and writing songs by twelve, Michi has built an impressive international career, performing for hundreds of thousands of people and sharing festival stages with some of the biggest names in pop music.

Known for her witty lyricism and deeply relatable songs, Michi has spent nine consecutive years performing on the main stage of Capital Pride in Washington D.C., while her music continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Her single Roses surpassed 100,000 streams and was featured in the final film project of acclaimed Spanish actress and director Itziar Castro.

In this inspiring conversation, Michi joins Rae Leigh to talk about songwriting, building a sustainable independent music career, life as an artist abroad, and the exciting journey of recording and releasing her brand-new album, made possible through the incredible support of her fans via a successful Kickstarter campaign. Whether you're a songwriter, indie artist, or music lover, this episode is packed with insights, laughter, and the real stories behind the songs.

Connect with Michi:

- Spotify

- Youtube

-Instagram

In this deeply moving episode of Songwriter Trysts, Rae Leigh sits down with Grammy Award-winning guitarist, educator, and recording artist Markus Illko.

Rae first met Markus through the Recording Academy at the 2025 Grammy Awards and later reconnected with him at NAMM, where he was performing with the acclaimed String Revolution. Their conversation explores a remarkable musical journey spanning performance, recording, education, and personal resilience.

Markus shares insights from his successful guitar studio and music school, where he helps aspiring musicians elevate their craft and unlock their creative potential. He also opens up about one of the most profound experiences of his life—becoming a father and navigating the heartbreaking tragedy that followed.

At the heart of this episode is Markus's stunning instrumental composition, Milo, written in honour of his son. The piece is both a musical masterpiece and a deeply personal tribute, accompanied by an artistically captivating music video that has resonated with audiences around the world.

Together, Rae and Markus discuss the creative process behind Milo, the emotional dynamics of recording such a personal work, and how music can become a powerful vehicle for healing and remembrance. They also dive into Markus's extensive industry experience, including recording a Johnny Cash cover in his son's studio and sharing the stage while touring with legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

This episode is a powerful conversation about artistry, loss, legacy, and the enduring ability of music to tell the stories that words alone cannot.

Listen now for an inspiring and heartfelt discussion with one of the guitar world's most accomplished and passionate musicians.

Connect with Markus:

• ⁠Spotify⁠

• ⁠Website⁠

• ⁠Youtube⁠

• ⁠Instagram

Brian Rhea is a Christian country artist from Nashville, Tennessee, a devoted father, grandfather, and man of faith whose music is deeply rooted in real-life experiences. His passion for songwriting and his commitment to telling authentic stories shine through in both his beautiful songs and this heartfelt conversation with Rae Leigh on Songwriter Trysts.

From gospel and country music to songwriting, co-writing, publishing, and navigating the business side of the music industry, Brian openly shares his journey, lessons learned, and the wisdom he's gained throughout his career. He discusses the highs and challenges of being a songwriter, including one of his favourite songs that was written for Keith Urban and came close to making the final cut.

This is an inspiring and insightful episode packed with songwriting advice, industry knowledge, and genuine stories from a seasoned Nashville songwriter. Listen now to discover more about this incredible artist, and be sure to check out Brian's social media, give him a follow, and enjoy his music.

Connect with Brian:

• Spotify
• Website
• Youtube
• Instagram