I had the privilege to interview Singer & Songwriter Michelle Ariane. She performs various genres from Blues and Jazz to Soul, Pop, and Rock. Read the interview to find out more!
PLEASE, BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF, WHO IS MICHELLE ARIANE IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Well, I am a Swiss American Singer and Songwriter that was raised between two worlds and cultures. I realized early on that although both are western countries the cultures can be very different from each other. But what connected the two with each other was and is the love of music. I guess in many ways that realization was the beginning of my music career – the day I realized I could connect the two with music.
HOW AND WHEN EXACTLY DID YOU REALIZE YOU HAD THE PASSION FOR SINGING?
I grew up in a musical family that would sing every chance we had. Roadtrips were filled with music from across the genre spectrum and dishes were often cleaned while singing into the scrub brush. But it wasn’t until I sang my first solo at the age of what must have been 9 or 10 – singing something about I parrot changing its colors I believe – that I discovered my passion for performing.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING SINGER AND WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES IN MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I enjoy seeing and experiencing the connection people make with the music I write and sing. We are both strangers, and yet within a few seconds of that singing that song we connect – even if we don’t speak the same language! As I mentioned before, I grew up listening to a wide range of genres. From Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion to to Queen and ACDC, to John Denver and Shania Twain mixed with some musical numbers in between. Once I started songwriting myself I fell in love with the Brandi Carlile Band and have been a die-hard fan ever since. They introduced me to the Americana Rock sound and in many ways I felt empowered because of Brandi and the Twins to pick up that guitar and never stop writing.
WE WOULD LOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM “BRIDGE THE GREAT DIVIDE”
“Bridge The Great Divide” is a collaboration with songwriters from all over the world with the aim of bridging the currently polarized political and social divide with music. “Music is love, share the love” has been my motto since the beginning of my musical career and it was important to let that shine through this new album.
HOW IMPORTANT IS PERSONAL BRANDING IN YOUR PROFESSION AND WHAT YOU DO TO GROW YOUR BRAND?
Personal Branding is everything in the modern Music Business. I sometimes struggle to put myself out there completely, especially with the social media side of it. But I believe it helps you connect to an audience that otherwise wouldn’t even know of you or your music. I believe you need to be a genuine person and constantly try to make a positive impact in the community and world that you live in.
WHAT ADVICE & TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG ASPIRING MUSICIANS?
Be patient and keep on going on. It’s not gonna happen overnight or in a week or even in a year. Learn from your peers and never be too proud to ask for support. There are people out there for you who want the best for you.
To know more about Michelle Ariane follow her on Instagram, and you can listen to her music here: https://ffm.to/btgd
