Artist description Songwriter/composer and vocalist, creating music of diverse forms and genres (classical, lounge, film, pop, electronic, jazz, etc.). Each song is written 'by ear', and not in front of a piano or other musical instrument. Most instruments used are representational only -- each track is written for "real" instruments. Open to collaboration ideas, requests, etc. and I am currently available for private consulting, commissioned audio projects, voiceovers, and film scoring. Click on the 'Contact' link at the top of my artist page to get in touch.

Music Style Classical, alternative, electronic, lounge, Euro-pop, world/folk, ska, New Age, jazz, Celtic, renaissance, pop, film

Musical Influences Erasure, Depeche Mode, Ruby Blue, XTC, Crowded House, Peter Gabriel, Margaret Atwood, Madonna, King Apparatus, Sound System, Chopin, ABBA, Kurt Swinghammer, Captain & Tenille, Tom Jones, Yaz, Pet Shop Boys, Anne Murray, Wolfgang Press, Glenn Miller, Nitzer Ebb, Francois Dompierre, Deee-Lite, Aerosmith, They Might Be Giants, Burt Bacharach, New Order, Dead Milkmen, Forgotten Rebels, Violent Femmes, Judy Tenuta, Emo Phillips, Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra, Andy Warhol, William S. Burroughs

Similar Artists Francois Dompierre,Tori Amos,Danny Elfman,Julie London,David Foster,Enya,Glenn Gould,Frank Mills,Philip Glass,Bach,Mozart,Haydn,Grieg,Dido,Stewart Copeland,Vince Clarke,Erasure,Nelly Furtado

Artist History A lifetime musician, Michelle Southern has learned how to play several instruments - piano, trombone, clarinet, flute, French horn, and guitar; and fancies herself a vocalist, too. She has played in school bands, stage bands, as a soloist, and has worked with other artists and groups of different genres such as ambient electronic, experimental, BritPop, techno, and ska. She has only recently begun writing, arranging, singing, and bringing to life her own compositions, which are available exclusively here at mp3.com. Producer and contributor for the "Playground" project - a benefit compilation CD (visit http://mp3.com/footnotes/ for more info). Over the past several years, she has completed various voiceover works for corporations, commercials, and film. She is currently working on a project scheduled for recent cinematic release (autumn 2001)

Instruments On these tracks - piano, keyboards, electronic instrumentation, live drums/percussion, voice.

Albums Dark Orchid, Perpetual Motion, Enchanted, Elements, 'adored' benefit compilation (participant), Playground Project Benefit Compilation (producer and participant), Wish You Were Here..., Shiver, Vertigo

Press Reviews From mp3.com (description of 'Sarabande', Featured Instrumental song 10/99): "Superb piano piece" // Staff review from listen.com (Noah Enelow): "Southern's original Neo-Classical compositions are directly influenced by such masters as Bach, Mozart, and Haydn. Her heavy keyboard attack reminds us that the piano is made up of 88 toned drums." // 'Sleigh Ride' voted Favourite Holiday Song by mp3.com visitors and featured on "Women of mp3.com" site (Dec. 22/99) // Second 'Featured Song' (this time within the Lounge genre) for "Come What May" - Feb.27, 2000 // "Michelle [Southern] is another gifted artist. Her classical piece 'Sarabande' was featured within a week or two of her arriving at MP3.com. What really amazes me is that she composes her work completely on the computer -- complex classical piano pieces without the benefit of a piano." -- Sue Braiden, CBC Radio // "A composer of impressive diversity... Her motivation [for the Playground Project] is extremely personal and her endless creative efforts on behalf of the project are truly inspiring... Welcome to the world of Michelle Southern. I hope you leave as moved and motivated as I did." -- Pamela Zero, 'Inside Out', The Women of MP3.com (May 10/2000) // "Come What May" appears again as Featured Song in the Lounge genre (June 2001) // "Come What May" Featured Lounge song - third time (October 2001) // "Sleigh Ride" Featured Holiday/Seasonal song (October 2001)

Location Toronto, ON - Canada

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