In Conversation with Michael Price
At London Letters our goal is to create beautiful stationery pieces that encourages you to write more letters. We believe that letters play an important role in modern society, and we're not alone in this view.
Each month we'll be chatting with a different snail mail enthusiast to find out why they think letters are special, why they think they still matter today, and what drives their passion to continue writing.
This month we were thrilled when our request to interview Michael Price was accepted! Michael is an EMMY winning classical composer whose body of work includes
Tell us a little bit about your own letter writing history. Do you recall the first letter you received, or wrote?
When I went to study music at University I was only 17 and had never been away from home before, so I used to go down to the pigeon holes every morning with butterflies in my stomach hoping for a letter from home. There’s still an echo of that feeling whenever the postie comes to the door. Less so when it’s the Amazon van.
How often do you write letters now?
My work day is very deadline-driven, and I don’t want letter-writing to become a chore, so I sometimes let things pile up for a while, and then write half a dozen letters in a row. Sometimes reading a single letter, and writing back in a break from something else is a beautiful way to transport myself into someone else’s world.
Describe your letter writing set up for us. Do you have any favourite stationery or pens you use? Where do you like to write from?
What type of content would you use for a letter, as opposed to digital communication?
A letter seems much less transactional, and much more of a slow conversation. Also a meditation, in a way. I like to read through the letter that I’m replying to, and imagine something of the life of the sender. It’s a little bit like visiting a new place.
What do you think makes letters special?
It feels like the time and trouble it takes to write is its own reward. There’s so much effort at the moment that goes into making things faster and more efficient. Particularly with AI. Which is, to me, missing the point of the thing in the first place. Who wants an ‘efficient’ dinner with a friend? Or to outsource seeing their children playing in the garden?
Are there any letters that you've held onto for a long time? Do you have a favourite?
I’m trying to build an archive of the letters that people are kind enough to send in my current writing project. There’s something so tangible and meaningful watching the fling cabinet fill with these slices of life.
Are there any famous letters you're especially fond of?
Lots of composers have been frequent letter writers through the years. If I ever get rich I’d love to collect some, but it’s still wonderful to see another side to the people behind the music. Reading Mozart’s letters makes me think he would have got on well with our own 4 year old boy, Henry. They certainly have similar taste in jokes!
Do you feel any positive benefits to your mental health when you're writing or receiving a letter?
The ritual of choosing some paper, inking a pen, reading, then thinking, then writing just seems to be a calming, soothing, human process. And receiving a letter always feels a break in the clouds on what might be a dark day.
How do you envisage the future of letter writing?
What would you say to someone that's never written or received a letter before, to encourage them to try it?
A huge thank you to Michael for his time and passion for the written word. You can find out more about Michael's work by heading to his website or by following him on Instagram.
Why not start writing like a pro today, inspired by Michael's choice of stationery, with a beautiful pen?