How to find your songwriting voice

Mickey Callisto: “The energy of a live audience tells you straight away if something resonates.” Photo: Lee Isserow

Need help to find your own authentic sound? Mickey Callisto on the importance of live performance, experimentation, storytelling and more…

Mickey Callisto is a songwriter with an undeniably distinctive voice: a self-made, LGBT+ artist, Sunderland-born and now Liverpool-based, whose music fuses glam rock, pop and choral grandeur into something boldly his own. From a standing ovation on Britain’s Got Talent (his audition was even credited with boosting Queen’s streaming figures) to a viral Bohemian Rhapsody flash mob in Paris that has now surpassed 600 million views, he has built momentum through sheer force of performance. Festival slots at Green Man, The Great Escape, Latitude and Eurovision Festival, alongside tour support for CMAT, have only bolstered his burgeoning reputation.

His latest single, Homospace, released at the end of last year, distils his cosmic, arena-minded sound: theatrical, inclusive, and emotionally direct. Having found his own unique voice, he’s the perfect person to help you discover yours…

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1. LET LIVE PERFORMANCE GUIDE YOU

I’ve realised that no matter who comes to see my show, whether they’re diehard fans or complete newcomers, they’ll have a good time. That connection with the crowd has completely shaped how I write songs. My shows aren’t just gigs; they’re experiences designed to take people on an emotional rollercoaster. I want moments of euphoria, intimacy, and total vulnerability, because that’s what life is.

That’s why I write songs that feel “arena ready.” Even if I’m playing a small venue, I imagine the sound filling a stadium. I think about what people will feel when they sing along, when the synths kick in, when the lights hit. It keeps me focused on writing music that unites people. The energy of a live audience tells you straight away if something resonates. It’s the most honest feedback you’ll ever get as a songwriter.

Mickey Callisto: “The moment you stop chasing trends and just follow what feels honest, that’s when you start to sound like yourself.” Photo: Lee Isserow

2. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR INFLUENCES, BUT DON’T COPY THEM

Freddie Mercury is my idol. His melodies, theatricality, and charisma have shaped everything I do. But I had to learn how to absorb that energy without simply imitating it. You can’t be a carbon copy of your heroes; you have to reinterpret their spirit in your own way.

For me, it’s like mixing colours. Imagine my influences are Queen, Tame Impala, and Pink Floyd, each a primary colour. When you blend them, you get something new: Mickey Callisto. I want to reach the level of the greats; that’s the goal, but my sound has to come from my story and my emotions. The legends teach you the rules so you can break them.

3. EXPERIMENT TO FIND YOUR OWN STYLE

Finding your voice takes curiosity and courage. My songwriting process starts in my head, with melodies, chord progressions, even production ideas. I have perfect pitch, which helps me translate what I’m hearing into something real. Sometimes I’ll challenge myself to recreate a sound from a song I love, like a synth tone from The Weeknd, just to see how it’s built. It’s all about learning through play.

But experimentation isn’t just about sound; it’s about identity. I realised I’d found myself when I stopped worrying about genre. My music blends glam rock, disco, psychedelic and synth pop because those are the sounds that excite me. The moment you stop chasing trends and just follow what feels honest, that’s when you start to sound like yourself.

4. SONGWRITING IS STORYTELLING

No matter how big or cosmic my music gets, it always comes back to the story. If a song isn’t grounded in truth, it won’t connect. My single Homospace might sound like a camp space fantasy, but underneath, it’s about unity and becoming at one with yourself, whoever you are. That theme runs through all my work.

Another song, The Year’s Goodbye, is about when my mum left. It’s emotional and raw. I want my audience to feel every side of me: the joy, the heartbreak, the resilience. Because that’s what I’ve lived. I grew up with nothing, and I’ve worked hard for everything I have. So, my songs are about motivation, positivity, and self-belief. They’re reminders not to give up, for me and for everyone listening.

Mickey Callisto: “If a song isn’t grounded in truth, it won’t connect.” Photo: Lee Isserow

5. LET YOUR MUSIC EVOLVE NATURALLY

Developing your sound isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a process of trial and error, of trusting your instincts and learning from experience. Every show, every studio session, every jam teaches you something new.

For me, songs usually start with chords on a real piano. I believe a good song should stand on its own without production; if it works on piano, it’ll work anywhere. From there, I let the melodies and lyrics flow naturally. Some songs reveal themselves in minutes, others take weeks. You can’t rush it. Just keep showing up and let the evolution happen.

6. KEEP THE AUDIENCE IN MIND

Ultimately, I write songs I’m excited to perform live. If I feel the thrill, the audience will too. That shared energy is the reason I make music. Whether someone loves my songs or not, I can guarantee they’ll have a good time at my show, because it’s about joy, connection, and letting go.

Music is about unity. It’s about finding yourself through sound and helping others do the same. If I can get people to express what they feel, whether that’s happiness, sadness, or vulnerability, then I’ve done my job. My songwriting voice isn’t just about who I am; it’s about creating a space where everyone can feel free to be themselves.

Homospace by Mickey Callisto is out now. Follow @mickeycallisto on Instagram, and for the latest live dates, check out ents24.com

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