You, Bob Dylan, shock, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, Death Cab, Patti Smith, Simon and Garfunkel, Jim Morrison, intrinsic value, the Greatful Dead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink Floyd, Friends in the La Crosse area, Friends overseas, NPR listeners, Midlake, Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Billy Bragg, Janis Joplin, Minus the Bear, Bright Eyes, anyone who doesn't throw a pity party only to invite themselves, Blind Melon, Gillian Welch, Ben Harper, Iron & Wine, Nick Drake, Special Ed. students and people I've met struggling with mental illness (they are the most genuine, unique, non-judgemental, randomly creative people ever crafted to teach us all:), ...Writers? The Beat Generation (Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac.....) bell hooks, Walt Whitman, Dr. Seuss, Voltaire,etc.
Sounds Like
it will NEVER be on nashville star or american idol
Interview w/ Michelle in Inspire(d) Magazine. July / August Issue on Decorah Newsstands now!
Hospital Radio and Jump Roping in Chains (Re-mastered!) are available at the following retail stores:
With an unmistakably soulful voice and a rhythmic, rapid-fire delivery of consistently pensive lyrics, Michelle Lynn has drawn comparisons to Fiona Apple, Tracy Bonham, Tracy Chapman, and Ani DiFranco. Bringing elements of bluegrass, gospel, reggae, and blues to the well-trodden realm of the traditional acoustic-folk singer/songwriter, her self-cultivated approach has garnered her respect and notoriety in the Southeastern Minnesota / Northeastern Iowa / Southwestern Wisconsin tri-state area over the past three years.
Michelle Lynn grew up on a farm in rural NE Iowa and her borderline obsessive interest with words and writing was evident from an early age. An avid reader, her literary influences (Whitman, Ginsberg, Thoreau, etc.) have had an immense impact on her “not big words, just a lot of words” style of writing. She picked up the guitar out of impulse at age seventeen and with the early instruction of veteran guitarist David Reed; she quickly found the process of laying words over sounds to be incredibly cathartic.
Michelle’s passion for the writing process is only paralleled by the satisfaction she earns while performing live. From lawn-chair night at a family park to the crowded confines of a neighborhood bar, or from the dairy aisle at an organic foods co-op to the smoke-filled clamor of a trendy urban art-house, Michelle’s broad appeal and relentless resourcefulness has placed her in front of a diverse array of audiences in a variety of venues.
2005’s self-released album Jump Roping in Chains, along with her steady performance schedule, established her reputation as a reliably entertaining solo artist. NE Iowa arts monthly Tapestry Magazine described the album as “A fearless collection of songs that strips away any pretension…” She was cast as a musician in the independent film Duck Farm No. 13 by director and Okoboji, IA native Becky Smith (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, The Daring Project). Her music has been played on independent radio stations throughout Iowa and she is regularly invited to perform on several local music radio programs (104.7 KVIK, 100.5 KDEC).
Michelle Lynn's new album Hospital Radio was released May 31st and showcases an emerging young singer-songwriter finding her voice and coming into her own in a Brave New Age. A pair of brooding, chill-inducing piano ballads offer an engaging sonic twist and several of the tracks on the album feature experienced backing musicians on drums, bass, lead guitar, and even banjo. Michelle is exploring bold new lyrical territory as well, while continuing to entrance listeners with her surpringsly unyielding stream-of-consciousness approach.
i can't wait to see the full CD--the tiny photo image of the cover is beautiful. so glad you'll be part of our women's jam, whatever it ends up being...
Looks like you're further ahead on your summer booking than I am! :-) Hopefully I will catch some of your shows! I have a box full of press kits to mail out, but they've been in my truck for a month. I have my last class of the semester tomorrow, so I'll get it in gear after it's all over with!
just wanted to drop a note...you did an awesome job! let me know if you're ever in the twin cities and interested in doing some collaboration. i could really learn a lot from your lyrics and writing style :-) keep doing what you do, cuz you do it really well!
/go if you want to, walk where you will. the hallways will always be there. -UM /
Thanks for the friend request. I recognize your pictures/music from when I worked with Brett Huus at Soundstrations. Sounds great! Let me know if you are ever in the Chicagoland area, I would love to have you at my studio.
It was great seeing you last weekend. Wish I could have heard you sing! Next time. This upcoming concert you have lined up looks great. Derek's been here to the studio before. Reminds me: I owe him a CD of his show. Oops. In any case, come on back anytime to the station!
Hello Michelle! nice to meet you today! I'm a former resident of Lacrosse Wisconsin,I also was a river rat for many years over in Winona. I really love your songs they are soul soothing! If your ever in the windy city you can join me at a show! I'm playing at some festival outside of Lacrosse and at the Trempealeay hotel in June,maby come and play a few songs eh? Blessings your way today and forever,your friend jimmy :-)
