It's usually just me-with-an-acoustic-guitar for my solo material, although I'm occasionally joined by singer Jen Bernard, cellist Skip vonKuske, accordionist Todd Bayles and/or any of a number of other Portland musicians.
Influences
George Harrison. PJ Harvey. Bach's 2-part and 3-part Inventions and Chopin's Nocturnes (I teach classical piano, by the way!). Flamenco in general, both music and dance. Catholic Mass, every Sunday of my first 18 years. Lindsey Buckingham's guitar playing. The Smiths/Johnny Marr. The Cure's HEAD ON THE DOOR album and R.E.M.'s LIFES RICH PAGEANT album.
Sounds Like
A dear friend once said that my music sounds like a Chinese box, unfolding unexpectedly. I like this description a lot. But to be clear, my music doesn't actually sound Chinese. Not so much.
"Lara Michell first came to the attention of the Portland rock cognoscenti in the mid-'90s as the fluid-fingered guitarist in the all-gal band Carmina Piranha. It was a dynamite group, one that stitched together advanced pop smarts, stellar playing, a bit of gypsy fire and a little tango, all with the inspired recklessness of any punk band." -- The Portland Tribune
Since then, Lara has released three solo albums: Tide Pool (1997); Somniloquy (2001); and Ruby Red (2005). She plays with CARMINA LUNA (mostly-defunct goth-folk quartet), DIRTY MARTINI (pop collective also featuring Stephanie Schneiderman and McKinley), and THE STOLEN SWEETS (thriving 1930's vintage swing jazz sextet), all based in Portland, Oregon.
Hi Lara We are rocking Lolas tomorrow night the 14th in case you can make it down. The whole gang. See you soon! Casey
an evening with Casey Neill & the Norway Rats. Wed May 14th- PORTLAND, OR Lola's Room at the Crystal Ballroom EARLY SHOW - 7pm doors, 8pm start, $8, No Smoking we're fresh off a month of touring and and playing a full 2 set show. The band features Ezra Holbrook, Jenny Conlee, Adam East, Little Sue, Lewi Longmire and Hanz Araki
hi chica, miss you! Is the Roseburg Bash happening this year? We've missed it TWICE in a row now... Jonesin for our Michell Family fix! Let's boggle sometime dude! xoxoxo lei
Hey Lara, We'd love to see you on April 22 at White Eagle for the Deep Roots 10-Year Anniversary Party. Thanks for all you've done to help the program come this far.
Hey Lara - we wanted to invite you to our Portland CD Release for "Marveling the While" this Saturday, 4/12, at Mississippi Studios. It's an early show @ 7pm. Would love it if you could come...cheers, the starlings
Hey Lara! So nice of you to think of me. ;-) Yes, Ljubljana is treating me quite well, although a little more sun wouldn't hurt anyone. I hope that you are well and that you don't miss Europe too much. xx
My dear Lara :) I'm so happy to hear you loved your European trip!! I am officially moving back to Atlanta on April 29th, I have had some amazing good fortune that I want to share with you...maybe we can get together before I go? That would be so lovely...talk to you soon!
So nice to see you the other night. we are in CALI while you are out on tour too! Check the photos they are adorable! They all turned out good! Lets get together and play some music sometime soon? Loves~ Jenni
Have a blast in Europe, Lara!! Remember that swearing contest? Well, apparently, that's good practice for dealing with cranky Europeans. But I've never been, so it's probably rotten advice. Bring back stories! :)
Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body. Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
It must have been fate ... they found me, and I love them :). Karina Bambina wants to see YOU! Where can I possibly find your lovely face lingering this weekend? xoxo ... HAPPY 2008 INDEED!
