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"We are what we surround ourselves with in this life. Whether it is beauty, space, love, or heartache, it becomes us." - Bri Anne Michelle

The album, "Surround Yourself," is a tapestry of the many cultures and relationships Bri Anne Michelle has immersed herself in over the last few years of her life.  "This album was created over many unexpected seasons of personal growth and change. Through the encounters of close friends dying, loved ones leaving, 50th wedding anniversaries, and babies being born, I can honestly say I didn't write this album, but instead, it wrote me."

Collaborating with different musicians and producers in Nashville, NY, LA, San Francisco, and her home town, Grass Valley, has helped in defining her voice.  Bri’s grass roots and all-embracing lifestyle have stimulated a sound that has naturally evolved into a collection of pop/country music. When listening to this album, you will most likely find yourself bopping your head and singing along to the catchy "doo doo dop bop bop's" on the upbeat, free spirited song, "Love Is A Language," while in the next moment belting out, "Is it too much to ask for a love that will last forever," in your car on the freeway. You'll experience the true emotions involved in falling in love, being cheated on, embracing family, falling in love again, learning to say good bye, trying to forget, and begging for something better to come along.

"For the most part, I try to connect with my audience by expressing the honest experiences of my heart and soul.  My inspiration comes from a variety of genres of music including artists like Fleetwood Mac, Tori Amos, Van Morrison, Over the Rhine, Ryan Adams, and Mindy Smith, but my true influences come from the authentic blessings and curses of true love and real life." This small town girl can lyrically drive herself to the Big City and stop in Nashville on the way. 

Bri Anne's interest in pop music was inspired by her relatively young parents.  "My mom had her all time favorites like Billy Joel and Elton John, but there was something new every week.  I heard a lot of Edie Brickell, Melissa Ethridge, Bonnie Raitt, and any other sappy love songs topping the pop charts.  My father, on the other hand, stuck mostly to the classics like Eric Clapton and The Beatles."    As a child, Bri spent a lot of time with her grandparents, leading to her discovery of Patsy Cline, Etta James, Billy Holiday and many others.  "Still, to this day, when I walk into my grandparents’ house, I'm inspired by the classic jazz, blues, or country music playing in the background.  I used to love running errands with my grandma just to listen to her daily soundtrack." As the youngest and only girl in the family, Bri Anne was never limited to hearing new artists and genres on the way to school in the morning.  "My older brothers would listen to anything from punk and alternative to hip hop and R & B.  As I recall, my first hand-me-down records were Nirvana's "Unplugged," Alanis Morrisette's "Jagged Little Pill," The Fugees, and The Cranberries."

Having been raised in Grass Valley, a quaint, little town in the Foothills of Northern California, Bri Anne has been fortunate to know how natural beauty and vast landscapes can inspire one's soul.  "Growing up, I was able to be outside a lot. I touched the soil and breathed fresh air.  My whole life has been an exploration of finding what is real.  I find freedom in expressing myself through poetry, melodies, and artistic creation."

  The first signs of Bri Anne's musical abilities began to show at age five when she started playing simple tunes on the piano by ear.  Soon after, Bri began singing in weddings, and later participated in a traveling chamber choir.  Bri's parents recognized her passion for art and music early on and registered her in an art focused charter school where she was encouraged to explore and develop her innate artistic abilities and fulfill her desire to create.  Through this exploration, Bri Anne became a successful artistic painter and began designing people’s homes at the age of 15. Though her business proved to be a great accomplishment, it still wasn’t enough to fulfill the true potential in her heart.

  During the last two years of high school, with a stroke of good luck, Bri was offered a top modeling contract which enabled her to travel the world and write.  “I have had so many opportunities as a young adult to travel and meet wonderful people who have become a part of my story, my cloth."   Bri's modeling career not only inspirited the freedom to discover self expression and personal growth, but it also stimulated the voice in her soul she had yet to truly discover.

  At the age of 19, while living in New York City, Bri decided to set everything aside and fully devote herself to pursuing her lifelong dream of singing and songwriting.  "It wasn't until I traveled the world that I realized I needed to embrace the country in my soul and use the support of my small home town to my advantage."  In only a few years Bri's visionary singing and songwriting abilities are being noticed.

“So many amazing people have come into my life who continue to push me, inspire me, and direct me toward my dreams. Without my family and friends, the release of my new CD, “Surround Yourself,” would not have been possible.”