Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Michele’s stunning vocals have earned her backup singer gigs with the legendary RAY CHARLES and Spain’s RAPHAEL. Her singing has also been featured on the acclaimed HBO series SIX FEET UNDER and in films such as RATED X (starring Charlie Sheen) and KINGDOM COME (starring Whoopi Goldberg). Born and raised in Chicago, she moved to the Bay Area then Los Angeles, (with several-month stays in Madrid, Spain and Brisbane, Australia in between).
Now settled in Venice, CA, she has released her debut CD Plastic Garden. Influenced by artists such as DIDO, ZERO 7, BECK and MORCHEEBA, the CD is dreamy, modern pop with electronic and world elements. Zero 7 vocalist and artist MOZEZ calls Michele “A rising star . . . an artist with a unique beauty in her voice. A touch of grace.”
Captivating melodies and thoughtful messages make Plastic Garden a standout work. While some of her lyrics reveal dark truths “you’re an auto-pilot sitting smoking your smile,” Michele also offers hope — “fell into a rabbit hole and woke up in a different body, now I got a perfect soul.” Industry insider Scott Stimpson of Big Mountain Productions says, “Rarely do artists come along that are so cutting edge yet so respectful for all that has come before. Listen once and you’ll be instantly drawn into Michele’s world, one that’s complex with emotion yet simple with statement. A true tour de force.”
After soul-searching and writing an introspective record which takes us through a garden of love, self-deception, realization and hope, Michele sought out talented producers to help her brand her “Trip-Pop, Chill Fusion” sound. 5 different producers contributed to the 10 songs on Plastic Garden always keeping in mind her vision. “I wanted the chill, trip-hop elements of artists like Zero 7 in the mix,” says Michele, “yet I love middle-eastern melodies, Latin percussion and ethnic music samples. I didn’t want to be a world or new-age artist, so as you’ll hear, the essential flavor of my music is pop or adult alternative ala KCRW.”
This brilliant collection helped Michele place a track in the indie feature THE BLISS and to become a featured artist on the exclusive W HOTEL chain’s compilation CD. Her CD Release Party will be Sat. March 10th at Tangier in Hollywood, CA at 9pm and she is slated to be featured in an upcoming www.livevideo.com webcast devoted to emerging musical artists. Michele is also a budding actress, having had co-stars on the TV shows THE SHIELD, BOSTON LEGAL and STANDOFF.
Michele also has started to compose music for kids. Click here for some samples.