Essential Conversations: The War and Treaty

In Episode 25 of Essential Conversations, Ann Delisi talks with The War and Treaty about singing together, writing music while deployed in the Iraq War, and finding success in the music industry.


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There’s something special about the husband/wife vocal powerhouse The War and Treaty, and their story is as moving as their music.

Tanya and Michael Trotter Jr. joined Essential Conversations’ host Ann Delisi and musician Don Was to talk about how they met, playing Saddam Hussein’s piano, writing music while deployed in Iraq, and getting interest from major record labels. 

“If Saddam Hussein, with his tyrannical mind and his troubled mindset, could find some sort of solace and peace with these ivory keys, surely, I can too.”  — Michael Trotter Jr., The War and Treaty

In this episode

  • Michael Trotter Jr. on learning to play on Saddam Hussein’s piano and writing songs while deployed in Iraq. 
  • Michael and Tanya Trotter remember the day they met, long before they began singing together. 
  • The War and Treaty’s ascent from unknown duo to getting interest from major labels.
  • Don Was recalls the first time he heard The War and Treaty play. 

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Author

  • Ann Delisi
    Ann Delisi hosts Essential Music, the Essential Conversations podcast series and the Essential Cooking broadcast and podcast. Born and raised in the Motor City, Ann is a broadcaster, interviewer, producer, music host, storyteller and proud Detroiter.