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.
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Hi Lara We're playing Friday if you aren't gigging and feel like coming out. Hope to see you soon! Casey
CASEY NEILL/NORWAY RATS with From Words to Blows and Lewi Longmire Band. Friday May 8th- PORTLAND, OR @ Mississippi Studios www.mississippistudios.com 3939 N. Mississippi $10, 8pm doors, 9pm showtime Last show for many months, so we'll be pulling out all the stops for this one.
We have 2 great shows coming up. Hope you can make it out! ~~Thanks. C ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, Feb. 6th - FREE! The Twilight Room - 5242 N. Lombard 3 Full sets of Pan-ian goodness! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, Feb. 13th - FREE! The Kenton Club - 2025 N Kilpatrick St. with Lucky Tigers and Right On John ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey now.
This Saturday night:
Let's shake a little backside.
Int'l Male and Damon Castillo to set Jimmy Mak's stage alight.
Jimmy Mak's
221 N.W. 10th Ave. (in the Pearl District)
Call 503-295-6542 for info and reservations.
Show starts at 8:00 p.m. with Int'l Male.
if you'd like to be on the mailing list send an email to scottyc35@gmail.com 
