Surround Yourself
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- Surround Yourself
- 歌手：Bri Anne Michelle
- 语种：英语
- 时间：2009年05月
- 公司：YYMP3
"We are what we surround ourselves with in this life. Whether it is beauty
space, love, or heartache, it becomes us." - Bri Anne Michelle
The album, "Surround Yourself," is a tapestry of the many cultures and
relationships Bri Anne Michelle has immersed herself in over the last few
years of her life. "This album was created over many unexpected seasons of
personal growth and change. Through the encounters of close friends dying
loved ones leaving, 50th wedding anniversaries, and babies being born, I can
honestly say I didn't write this album, but instead, it wrote me."
Collaborating with different musicians and producers in Nashville, NY, LA
San Francisco, and her home town, Grass Valley, has helped in defining her
voice. Bri s grass roots and all-embracing lifestyle have stimulated a sound
that has naturally evolved into a collection of pop/country music. When
listening to this album, you will most likely find yourself bopping your head
and singing along to the catchy "doo doo dop bop bop's" on the upbeat, free
spirited song, "Love Is A Language," while in the next moment belting out
"Is it too much to ask for a love that will last forever," in your car on the
freeway. You'll experience the true emotions involved in falling in love
being cheated on, embracing family, falling in love again, learning to say
good bye, trying to forget, and begging for something better to come along
"For the most part, I try to connect with my audience by expressing the
honest experiences of my heart and soul. My inspiration comes from a variety
of genres of music including artists like Fleetwood Mac, Tori Amos, Van
Morrison, Over the Rhine, Ryan Adams, and Mindy Smith, but my true influences
come from the authentic blessings and curses of true love and real life."
This small town girl can lyrically drive herself to the Big City and stop in
Nashville on the way
Bri Anne's interest in pop music was inspired by her relatively young
parents. "My mom had her all time favorites like Billy Joel and Elton John
but there was something new every week. I heard a lot of Edie Brickell
Melissa Ethridge, Bonnie Raitt, and any other sappy love songs topping the
pop charts. My father, on the other hand, stuck mostly to the classics like
Eric Clapton and The Beatles." As a child, Bri spent a lot of time with
her grandparents, leading to her discovery of Patsy Cline, Etta James, Billy
Holiday and many others. "Still, to this day, when I walk into my
grandparents house, I'm inspired by the classic jazz, blues, or country
music playing in the background. I used to love running errands with my
grandma just to listen to her daily soundtrack." As the youngest and only
girl in the family, Bri Anne was never limited to hearing new artists and
genres on the way to school in the morning. "My older brothers would listen
to anything from punk and alternative to hip hop and R & B. As I recall, my
first hand-me-down records were Nirvana's "Unplugged," Alanis Morrisette's
"Jagged Little Pill," The Fugees, and The Cranberries."
Having been raised in Grass Valley, a quaint, little town in the Foothills of
Northern California, Bri Anne has been fortunate to know how natural beauty
and vast landscapes can inspire one's soul. "Growing up, I was able to be
outside a lot. I touched the soil and breathed fresh air. My whole life has
been an exploration of finding what is real. I find freedom in expressing
myself through poetry, melodies, and artistic creation."
The first signs of Bri Anne's musical abilities began to show at age five
when she started playing simple tunes on the piano by ear. Soon after, Bri
began singing in weddings, and later participated in a traveling chamber
choir. Bri's parents recognized her passion for art and music early on and
registered her in an art focused charter school where she was encouraged to
explore and develop her innate artistic abilities and fulfill her desire to
create. Through this exploration, Bri Anne became a successful artistic
painter and began designing people s homes at the age of 15. Though her
business proved to be a great accomplishment, it still wasn t enough to
fulfill the true potential in her heart
During the last two years of high school, with a stroke of good luck, Bri was
offered a top modeling contract which enabled her to travel the world and
write. I have had so many opportunities as a young adult to travel and meet
wonderful people who have become a part of my story, my cloth." Bri's
modeling career not only inspirited the freedom to discover self expression
and personal growth, but it also stimulated the voice in her soul she had yet
to truly discover
At the age of 19, while living in New York City, Bri decided to set
everything aside and fully devote herself to pursuing her lifelong dream of
singing and songwriting. "It wasn't until I traveled the world that I
realized I needed to embrace the country in my soul and use the support of my
small home town to my advantage." In only a few years Bri's visionary
singing and songwriting abilities are being noticed
So many amazing people have come into my life who continue to push me
inspire me, and direct me toward my dreams. Without my family and friends
the release of my new CD, Surround Yourself, would not have been possible