|
PRESS RELEASE
*Austin Resident and Accomplished Singer-songwriter Michelle Anthony Releases Tornadoes on November 2*
*Full-length is inspired by Gratitude and Motherhood*
On November 2, 2010, accomplished singer Michelle Anthony will release her long-awaited new full-length album, Tornadoes.
"After much living, writing, recording, re-recording, mixing and mastering, the album's complete," Michelle Anthony says, with a giant smile, from her Austin home.
For such an ominous title, the actual recording, mixing, and mastering experience was incredibly enjoyable. Anthony explains, "All the musicians, engineers and co-producers made Tornadoes, ironically, the easiest, least-challenging recording experience of my life. Maybe it's because I've let this process take four years since my last release. Maybe it's just easier to be patient and take my sweet time. Who knows, but it worked."
Michelle Anthony is a KC native, Milwaukee transplant and currently calls Austin, TX her home. Her debut album, Stand Fall Repeat, was co-produced by the late-great Jay Bennett (ex-Wilco). She quickly followed up her debut with her second release, Frozenstarpalace, the album was well-received by critics and fans: "She has the unaffected delivery of her Midwestern heritage and the ability, reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan, to quietly insinuate herself into spaces between conscious thoughts," No Depression Magazine.
On her third release, Tornadoes, Michelle showcases a more mature and relaxed songwriting style; from the Sheryl Crow pop-anthem sounding "Vacancy" to the tasty guitar-riffing in "Black Coal Heart" to the emotional ballad and title track "Tornadoes" describing motherhood to the lovely "Spare Me" which effortlessly blends a Prince meets Spoon vibe.
The inspiration for much of the album was motherhood, but also the very scary, life-threatening illness Michelle had after her first child was born. Michelle had pre-eclampsia and developed HELLP syndrome, which made her appreciate life in a different, more grateful way. "I wouldn't have ever written a song like 'Tornadoes' or 'Beautiful' before this experience." Michelle kept a positive theme throughout the making of the entire record. "It's a 'thankful' record."
Four of the songs on the album were inspired by her son. "I wrote 'Permanent' for him. I was pretty scared during the first months of my son's life. I was so worried I wouldn't be here for him. I wanted to leave him something more meaningful than material things for him to remember me by. I wanted him to have my voice and words, should he ever need them, so I left him a song. I'd never really focused much on writing in a positive light, probably because I thought it would sound silly or forced. On this record, I wrote more autobiographically and if I felt amazingly happy, rather than doubt it, I just went with it."
Tornadoes features a stellar band of musicians: drummer John Chipman (Band of Heathens) lead guitarist Grant Tye (Robbie Fulks), drummer on "Don't Deny" Gerald Dowd (Robbie Fulks, Justin Roberts). Michelle Anthony also played keyboards on the upcoming Silos album and plays with them live when they perform in Austin.
PRESS
More Magazine
By Holly George-Warren
"'You can sing me something sweetly' is the song's hook – and precisely what Anthony does, with lilting vocals and life-embracing lyrics."
Beat Surrender
"Michelle Anthony has released her third full length album Tornadoes, easy on the ears it combines Michelle's empathetic vocals and writing with several tracks inspired by the birth of her son." "Milwaukee first met Kansas City native Michelle Anthony via her band Capital 8, based here. When the band split, she started Stick Pony before embarking on a solo career."
Read more
On Milwaukee
Catching Up With Michelle Anthony
Interview with Michelle Anthony by Bobby Tanzilo
"Milwaukee first met Kansas City native Michelle Anthony via her band Capital 8, based here. When the band split, she started Stick Pony before embarking on a solo career."
Read more
Michelle Anthony: Tornadoes
Direct Current - New Music
Choosing Tornadoes as the title of her third album might make you think that Austin performing songwriter Michelle Anthony had emerged from a fairly tumultuous period in her life -- and you'd be right. But she also describes Tornadoes as a "thankful" record, a theme that shines through her new songs like an unwavering beam of light. Following the birth of her child, Anthony was afflicted by a life-threatening illness, a difficult time made even more harrowing as she contemplated the possibility of not being there for her young son. Survival brought joyful relief but as she returned to the studio for the first time in four years she realized that the experience in all of its emotional depths and plateaus was profoundly affecting. (Click to read more.)
Michelle Anthony: *Frozenstarpalace (Merctwyn Records)
Popmatters.com
by Jason MacNeil
Rating: 7
Michelle Anthony isn't your typical singer-songwriter, although she does have enough chops to earn that moniker, with songs like the bouncy, happy-go-lucky "Lead Glass Tiffany Shades" that sounds like a cross between Carole King and Bonnie Raitt to some extent. Meanwhile, the moody and mid-tempo adult contemporary pop of the title track is sure to bring to mind artists like Aimee Mann and Natalie Merchant. It's the fact that she can't be penned down that results in a very fine release, especially with the rowdier, roots rock of "Ugly Side", which is quite pretty. Anthony shows another side with the smart, poppy "Aluminum" that relies more on her voice than it does the airtight, infectious, and winding melody. Then there is the tender, bittersweet piano ballad "White Lies" that she nails perfectly. And the same can be said for the delightfully low-key "Hard Way to Lose". It's a hard release not to enjoy.
Michelle Anthony: *Frozenstarpalace
AllMusic.com
by Stewart Mason
Rating: Four Stars
Michelle Anthony has a big, full-throated, blues-tinged voice reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt or Lou Ann Barton, but she lacks much interest in plowing the same old roots rock field one might expect from a singer with this kind of instrument. Aimee Mann's post-punk take on the '70s singer/songwriter sound is much more what Anthony has in mind on her second album: the songs are inventively arranged, with much prominence given to Anthony's own battery of keyboards, ranging from Carole King/Carly Simon piano to the sort of oddball electric ornamentation that Patrick Warren uses to enliven Michael Penn's albums. Anthony's band consists mostly of Robbie Fulks' usual sidemen, which adds an occasional alt-country twang to tunes like "Hard Way to Lose," but on songs like the impassioned rocker "Ugly Side," which sounds like a lost gem from the Learning to Crawl-era Pretenders, and the astonishingly Mann-like "Aluminum," Anthony is making the AAA-radio scene her home, and it suits her. The only problem with Frozenstarpalace is that at seven songs in just under 25 minutes, it's too short by half.
Michelle Anthony: *Frozenstarpalace
(Merctwyn Records)
by Lee Zimmerman
Even though it's of abbreviated length, the sophomore set from newcomer Michelle Anthony strikes a fine line between sass and sensitivity. Indeed, it's a mark of her versatility and musical dexterity that she's able to veer so adeptly between genres, playing the sensitive songstress one moment and the brash, defiant rocker the next. Happily, no matter which direction she takes, Anthony proves herself more than capable of setting her stance and establishing an electrifying presence. She makes her mark early on with opening offering "Lead Glass Tiffany Shades" which, despite its jumbled title, finds her singing with a swagger and a jaunty, jazzy disposition. The title track follows, a song that's all sass and slide guitar, but it's the two songs that follow - "Ugly Side" and "Aluminum" - that find Anthony in a more studied setting, the former a study in quiet contemplation, the latter a torch song ballad that becomes a riveting showcase for her raw, emotional expression. "Hard Way to Lose" and "Chance" temper the vicissitude, allowing the set to reach its conclusion with an easy lilt and carefree sway. In the hands of another, this shift in sentiment might prove unnerving. However, in this case, it's merely the mark of an artist who can claim brilliance as part of her vocabulary. - Lee Zimmerman, Entertainment News and Reviews
With a new CD in the can, Anthony happy to come home
By Bobby Tanzilo, Managing Editor
Published Feb. 15, 2006 at 5:21 a.m.
Although she's not a native Milwaukeean, most of us Brew City music fans had come to feel like Kansas City-born Michelle Anthony was ours. So, although we wished her well, we couldn't help be feel a bit of loss when the talented alt.country singer -- whose star is clearly on the ascent -- left for Austin last year.
The move has worked out well for Anthony, who has just completed a new CD and is seeking a home for it. At the same time, she's found that Milwaukee hasn't ceased to be a major factor in her career, supplying musicians, support and more.
On the eve of her return to town for a gig at Shank Hall, we caught up with Anthony to find out what's happening in her now snow-free world.
OMC: How has the move worked out -- on a personal level and on a professional level?
MA: Personally, the move has been awesome. My physical and mental health are grateful for the sunshine and increased outdoor exercise! The weather here is awesome and I find (husband) Scott and I high-five-ing each other when we're standing outside in shorts in mid-January. I've always had great difficulty with cold weather -- my circulation sucks! -- and living in Milwaukee was a true test of my hardiness. In Austin, I sort of feel like I'm in heaven regarding the weather.
Professionally, things are coming along gradually. Scott and I gave ourselves a good deal of time to do the necessities like sell our house in Milwaukee, move our stuff, buy a new house, get jobs, learn the city and find a band. I moved here in May, Scott in July and our first show here wasn't until in November. We've been playing here and there since then.
We also started recording again. We're recording at a great studio here in town called Congress House studio. The owner of the studio, Mark Hallman, is a great guy and mix engineer. He has worked on some pretty great records (Ani DiFranco, Oasis, Carole King). Ned Stewart, who is in one of our favorite Austin bands (Grand Champeen) engineered the session. Two of the songs we recorded here in Austin will be on the upcoming album.
OMC: do you have a new band down there?
MA: The Chicago guys (Grant Dye and Gerald Dowd of Robbie Fulks band) played on the record and play our Midwest dates as well as some of our Austin shows. I also have a group of super-talented players that gig with us in Austin. John Chipman (drums) who is in The Resentments and Jon Dee Graham, Ron Flynt (bass) who was in 20/20, and Geoff Lasch (guitars), who is in the Golden Apples and Militant Babies, and also a Milwaukee transplant. I feel fortunate any time talented people spend time making my songs sound better.
OMC: Do you get back to Milwaukee much? are you still linked to the place?
MA: This will be my first trip back to Milwaukee since our Summerfest show. I will forever be a Milwaukeean. I'm not a native of Milwaukee; I moved there for college and stayed. Nonetheless, I played my first show in Milwaukee, booked shows in Milwaukee and had a network of close friends there. I established whatever it is I think I am in Milwaukee.
In a way, I'm kind of proud to be from Milwaukee and living in Austin --it's kind of eclectic, right, to be from Milwaukee? Even though I'm not a native of the city, I spent enough time in the music scene there to really feel very connected to the city, and natives are nice enough to me to treat me as one of their own.
As it turns out, there are a LOT of people here who have migrated from Wisconsin. Our good friend Dan Franke (of The Mighty Deerlick), moved to Austin shortly after we did. We've talked about all the double takes -- people here that remind us of somebody we know in Milwaukee -- little microcosms and parallel worlds going on. It's wild.
OMC: Are you looking forward to the gig here? will it be an emotional one for you?
MA: The show at Shank should be a fun one. I am good friends with both Dustworks and Gregory Borden. Gregory is doing a CD Release for this show. I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure it'll be emotional.
OMC: Tell us about the new record.
MA: The title of the new album is "frozenstarpalace." There are a total of 11 songs on the album. Nine of them were written or recorded in Milwaukee, one was written and recorded in Austin, and one is a re-record of an old song.
The tone of most the album is dark and wintery, which reflects the environment I was writing in at the time. For most of the writing process, I felt like I was somewhat at the mercy of the cold, dark, short days in Wisconsin. Only people who spend time in cold climates can appreciate this. The songs possess a sense of feeling held hostage by something as inanimate as winter and a longing for escape. Their album forgoes the country vibe present on "Stand Fall Repeat" for a darker, Americana pop vibe.
Barry Goldberg started working with me as producer in February 2004, where he met Scott and I for the first time. We did a demo with him, and churned a tune out in a day, which ended up becoming a song on the album. Barry has worked with a pretty diverse group of artists -- Fleetwood Mac, Dr. Dre, Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins -- and he was able to get me to sing in a way I hadn't been able to sing before.
Besides having a great ear, he was very patient with me, which is awesome, because patience is a virtue I have some trouble with. He is also a super inspirational guy, and a very kind person. I've recorded songs singing next to my own dirty laundry -- and have been fine with that as it has a certain kind of effect -- but Barry was lighting the fireplace, making these awesome grape leaf rolls, bringing out vegetarian spreads, getting my sinuses to clear and creating a comfortable environment for me.
In total, we spent about two or three weeks to record all the parts for the album. We had a lot of great people help make this album. Grant Tye, Gerald Dowd, Brian Wooldridge (Wooldridge Brothers), Ryan Stang (Dustworks), and melaniejane all played on the album.
Scott played on the album, co-wrote several of the songs, and acted as my preproduction editor for all the songs. Ric Probst recorded almost all the bed tracks at his studio in Milwaukee, Jay O'Rourke (Material Issue) recorded all Grant's guitar parts; he also sat through my really amateur -- and really poorly played -- unkeepable Theremin parts. I had to play the Theremin... it was signed by Bob Moog!
There was a lot of ftp-ing, mailing, flying, driving going on and now... finally, it's done. We'll be playing songs from the new album at the Shank show.
Michelle Anthony plays at Shank Hall on Friday, Feb. 17 with
Gregory Borden and Dustworks. Show time is 10 p.m. and cover
is $8. Read
the online article
2/16/06 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI - Singer escapes cold, finds 'frozenstarpalace'
Her voice, which quietly recalls Carole King at her prime and Sarah McLachlan at her most subtle, comes closer to a honeyed fullness. Her instrumental work, primarily undertaken at the piano, is no less deft. - Jon M. Gilbertson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Michelle Anthony's brand of dreamy folk-pop has been garnering buzz since her album Stand Fall Repeat came out in August 2004. As a result, she went where all the action is: Austin, Texas. Since then she's been working on some stunning new material, so be sure not to miss this rare return to Shank Hall and the city where it all began for the artist. With Dustworks and Gregory Borden." - Jason Keil, Shepherd Express
Blessed with a commanding voice reminiscent of Chrissie Hynde, Kansas City native Michelle Anthony offers a bluesy take on alt-country, full of cynical wit and post-relationship regret. Now residing in Austin and finishing up her sophomore effort, Anthony's mix of urban soul and rural twang should appeal to fans of Tift Merritt and Bonnie Raitt alike. Songs like "Radio Waves" and "Analog Feeling" are gutsy appraisals of lost innocence cast against hard-charging, country-flavored R&B. Equally adept at somber ballads (the ironically non-clichéd "Mourning Song"), Michelle Anthony is the cute female unconsumed with her own beauty or celebrity, a woman content to let her guitar and guts do the talking. - Darryl Smyers, Dallas Observer
|
