“Michelle is a gifted artist and poetic songwriter. Her album takes me back to the days when songwriting was a craft and music made people think” – Grace Slick
On her solo debut CD, Life Beneath the Sun, Michelle Mangione, featured on acoustic guitar and vocals, has crafted songs into a pop-folk hybrid. An independent artist in the true sense of the word, she produced, wrote and arranged all the songs on the album also playing drums, piano, organ and percussion. While the songs on her CD are mostly acoustic, many of Michelle’s arrangements are derived from her love of percussion and rhythm: in live performance the song, “Train,” gives way to a riveting box drum solo. Delivered with a powerful voice and poetic lyricism, Michelle’s songs are written from personal experience and observation - “Man With a Gun,” trying to understand a cycle of hate, poverty and crime after she was held up at gunpoint; “America the Blue" inspired by a conversation with a homeless Vietnam veteran, or poking fun at her own ethics and morality in the song, “I’ve Become.” Selected tracks also feature guest musicians on cello, acoustic and electric bass, steel guitar, organ and electric guitar.
Michelle taught herself to play guitar, bass and piano as a way to facilitate songwriting and arranging. A graduate of the Percussion Institute of Technology in Hollywood, she also studied drums under L.A. teaching legend Kay Carlson. Michelle went on to become a successful road musician and played drums for such greats as saxophonist Buddy Colletteand guitarist Robben Ford. Her ability to cross over musical genres as easily as she changes instruments gained her professional notoriety.
In the rock world, Michelle was well-known as the drummer behind the band Sideswipe, named one of the ten Greatest Orange County Bands Ever by OC Weekly and winner of two Orange County Music Awards. Michelle’s original music was used in the feature film True Rights and picked up by Sony Television for the series, Time of Your Life.
The cover of Life Beneath the Sun features a painting by Grace Slick, that the rock icon/artist contributed after hearing a demo version of the CD.
Life Beneath the Sun has received such critical praise as:
“…a rare treat, a refreshing new voice.” -- Dan Forte, Vintage Guitar Magazine
“…an outstanding solo debut. The latest stop in a genre defying musical journey.” – Robert Kinsler, Orange County Register
“‘America the Blue’ and the ballad ‘What Should We Do’ strongly suggest that Mangione will be the most successful with mature, thoughtful, lyric-driven listeners.” – Music Connection
“Her distinctive but lovely voice and emotionally accessible lyrics are front and center on most of her songs, which are all works of profound musical talent” – Cory Bilicko of the Long Beach Signal Tribune
“…a gifted songwriter and musician who is not afraid to bare her soul through her music.” – Go Girls Music
Hi Michelle. thanks so much for adding me. I'm so happy to have "found" you on the cyberspace. WOW! Your voice is amazing and your music gorgeous! Keep on rocking girl :-) Oh, by the way, your name sounds....Italian! Is it? Have you ever been over here? Well, if not, I really hope to see you and....meet you sometime to tell what a great artist U R. LOL from your Italian fan Cristina p.s. sorry, but I've got to say this to you: "You've got fantastic eyes" Ciao
If you would like to go to SF June 6-8 I am going to have a listening/planning party on Tuesday. If you want to go to SF and would like to show up to the listening/panning party please send me a message: (You can still show up to the listening party if you don't plan on going to SF but please help on the planning of the trip)
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