Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Ariane.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started singing in choir at the age of seven and always loved the way it made me feel. Having been born and raised in a Swiss American Household in Switzerland, I learned to speak both English and German at an early age. However, I realized quickly, that Music is a language that Everyone understands, no matter where they’re from or what they speak. That unifying element to music has always been my anchor in everything I created.
I come from a family of entrepreneurs that believe in knowing and following your purpose. The motto has always been, whatever you do – give it 100%. However, when I told them I wanted to become a singer and performer, I got quite a few concerned looks. My mother was the first to back me up and believe in me after I voiced my wish to move to LA. So I took what they taught me and followed my purpose all the way from Zurich to Los Angeles.
After completing my Associated Degree at LA College of Music, I started to teach as a music teacher and vocal instructor while launching my first Crowdfunder in hopes to record an EP. The Kickstarter was a huge success and thanks to the support of wonderful fans I recorded and released my first EP “Beautiful Angel” in 2017, produced by the amazing Kacee Clanton. The following two years, I performed mainly in the US and Switzerland. It’s been a wonderful journey filled with wonderful support from my audience that gives me the air beneath my wings and believes in my dream and journey as much as I do. So much so, that, thanks to a second successful Kickstarter this spring, I get to record a full album in Nashville this upcoming July!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think that life is a roller-coaster and as such comes with its ups and downs. The music industry definitely has it’s challenges , which I try to meet head-on. But the hardest challenge to overcome, for me is the crippling self-doubt that sometimes can come over me. The reasons can seem minimal to an outsider, but to myself, they feel like a Mount Everest every single time. Those are the times I’m so thankful to have friends who are performers and artists themselves. It’s like our own little self-help group where we can share our struggles and feel understood and uplifted by each other. They are truly one of the greatest gifts.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I take joy in writing songs that tell stories, in any language I can speak if possible. I want my listeners to hear the stories within the song and hopefully connect with it because it speaks to their lives as it does to mine. I used to worry about not being mainstream enough and not being able to find an audience that wants to hear these stories. Until I started listening to Brandi Carlile, who has been my spirit guide for the past six years. Her songwriting and performance style is so pure and honest. Watching and listening to her gave me the confidence to trust in my message and my truth – and speak it.
So I started writing songs that reflect on political and social issues that I see in the world, that need changing. I see this great divide and how it seems to get deeper by the minute. I truly believe that music can unite us and help bridge this great divide. So my great friend Alfa Garcia I recently wrote a song called “Silver Bullet / Bridge the Great Divide” and earlier this year we received an honorable mention from the International Women’s Freedom Song Contest for it. So the release of my first record “Beautiful Angel” and the honorable mention have been the two proudest moments of my career so far.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the near future, I am thrilled to be going to Nashville to record the new album. I’ve never been and it’s been on my wishlist ever since I used to listen to my dad’s country music cd’s on our road trips (which back then drove me insane – now I’m thankful for and remember it fondly).
In addition to that, l am excited to be moving to Switzerland and continuing my musical journey and adventure there. Starting with the release of the new album, which is planned for the fall/winter of this year. Stay tuned for the official release date and be the first to know when you follow me on my social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michelleariane.com/
- Email: info@michelleariane.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellearianeofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellearianeofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellearianeO
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-KQl1w6_Yg
Image Credit:
Photo Credit (black and white) to Sheldon Botler, Photo Credit in blue tanktop with guitar Mikel Darling’s, Photo Credit of the rest (striped outfit) Kira Hooks
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