Characters from History Collection (in the Works)

Many new song lyrics are featured in a post above.  The titles are long because they represent fictitious news headlines from the past.  For the most part, the subject matter came from 19th century America (some early 20th century subjects appeared, one French conundrum, and a couple of Irish fiascos as well).  Each song essentially looked for a core psychological event (giving up, protecting oneself, love, making friends, a role model's significance, trying, etc.) and then revolved around a story in history that embodied it.  Each song was based on a real event and real people from the past that I enjoyed investigating and acting out through music. 

This genre is essentially historical fiction.  I simply use my own experience to fill in possible thoughts and occasionally combine it with historical figures' quotes from letters, news clippings, and other sources (here's to trusting you Wikipedia).  Obscure (yet interesting) stories, locations, and people were chosen that don’t often make their way into our awareness through traditional history class.  It was fun, and the last time I enjoyed writing this much was probably when I was a kid interested in journalism.  Some of the songs are serious and personal in nature, while others are downright humorous (to me).  Musical influences in mind for this included The Decemberists, The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, Fiona Apple, Gillian Welch, Paul Simon, my general love for but inability to do this, and the massive falsetto confidence of many male pop stars (including Justin Timberlake, the Bee Gees, and Michael Jackson).  I had strong melodies and an "old folk/jazz" feel in mind as the central sound target throughout writing.  It will be nice to continue to write songs like this when I feel inspired to do so and when I feel an interesting connection to a person or event from the past.  People have offered various story ideas, and there is honestly endless potential for this style of writing (especially when employing quick, basic chords).  We have found the songs much more comfortable and fun to perform than songs of our past because of their straightforward historical nature.   

                                                   

      

I am in the process of forming a picture/plan of how these songs and their development fit into many other current interests and projects.  In the past, I would write this many songs and be certain about making an album.  To my surprise, I am really in a writing mode and excited to write more songs with melodies that are stacking up.  I really love the process of forming historically themed songs like this.  I'm fine not knowing what will become of them in an outer sense.  They really bring a lot of inner joy and are fun at shows.  I figure I'll keep going with the writing process while it's tugging at me.  To be honest, I am not sure about the relevance of fully-formed albums because it's not even how I consume music anymore.  I find most of my music through guitar lessons, friends, Pandora, and YouTube. 

At this time I'm not sure how these songs (by far my favorite) will be offered to anyone interested.  But I do know I will make it happen eventually and it will be different... Instead of going on the road, I'll probably be going on the internet! 

Biography

Based out of Decorah, Iowa, Michelle Lynn is known for her steady performance schedule. She regularly brings her folk rock music based on history to every corner of the Driftless Region in the Upper Midwest. Adam Ptacek joins her on bass at virtually every show.

Michelle and Adam's show highlights from the past few years include the Des Moines Art Festival, Great River Folk Festival, Cedar Rapid's Farmer's Market, Iowa City Farmer's Market, Lake Harriet Band Shell, Seed Saver's Tomato Tasting, Cresco Opera House, Elkader Opera House, Nordic Fest, Eco Fest, Riverfest, Winona's Earth Day Festival, Art Fair on the Square in Madison, and Wausa's Festival of the Arts - along with hundreds of other performances.  Michelle was honored to share the stage with musicians such as Pieta Brown, Bo Ramsey, Harvey Reid, Lissie, Naomoli, and John Stravers of Big Blue Sky. Michelle's songs were also featured on the Eau Claire based radio program Song of the Soul and Coast to Coast AM - with a worldwide audience of over 3 million listeners.  She was also pleased to provide music for Decorah's 5th annual Oneota Film Festival membership video.

NE Iowa arts monthly Tapestry Magazine described her 2005 debut album Jump Roping in Chains as “A fearless collection of songs that strips away any pretension…” Her second album Hospital Radio was released in the spring of 2008 to a warm local response. La Crosse, WI arts weekly Second Supper proclaimed that “Michelle Lynn blew us away at this past summer’s Culture Shock festival…” and Decorah’s Inspire(d) Magazine was “…impressed by the depth and experience of her lyrics." After spending a year in Austin, TX she returned with an album titled Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern (2009) and was in the position to devote herself to performing and recording music full-time.

Michelle has come into her own with her last two records, Sundial Tree (2010) and Without an Outline (2012). Inspire(d) Magazine publisher Benji Nichols declared her “a regional favorite among music enthusiasts” while a Second Supper staff writer noted that “It doesn’t take more than a few minutes of listening to Michelle Lynn’s unique, soulful voice…to realize that this young woman has talent.”

Numberland

 I was very excited when I heard about Jason Padgett on NPR.  I was very moved by the whole interview and can't stop thinking about it.  Anyone interested in psychology and mathematics will enjoy this. I'm providing two interviews depending on how much time you may have:

Longer Interview

Shorter Interview

People have occasionally asked me what I have been up to since I don't play music publicly as much anymore.  I currently have my student teaching in special education left to complete this year, and then I will be getting my TAG endorsement.  I haven't been writing music myself lately, but I am certainly excited about connecting my time as a musician and guitar teacher with my studies in psychology and education.  It has been an exciting transition!  For the heading, I wasn't necessarily talking about this numberland, although this could help me with my teaching pursuits as well:)

A list of other books/videos/articles that are interesting:

Sensory Funnel

Game Theory

Positive Disintegration

Positive Disintegration and Education

Incognito Interview

Incognito

Net Neutrality

SYSTEMS/Anorexia and Autism

SYSTEMS Continuted

Daniel Tammet

TED Body Language

The Paradox of Choice

30 is not 20

Career?

Physiology and Performance

High Sensitivity

High Sensitivity, Giftedness, and Scotopic Sensitivity

TED Story

Another TED

There are thousands of other really informative TED Talks tailored to whatever interests you may have. They are great!

2nd Song of the Soul interview with Mark Helpsmeet

"Mathematician Mystic - Michelle Lynn's 2nd Song of the Soul"
I recently did another Song of the Soul interview with Mark Helpsmeet of Northern Spirit Radio.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Mark and I had some great discussions throughout the interview.  I'm very appreciative of how much thought he put into the questions.  Whenever he has an artist on the show, he spends plenty of time with their music beforehand.  It makes the interview flow quite easily.  The subject matter on this album is really personal and important to me.  He is providing such a respectable and comfortable environment with which to address these types of topics.

More interviews with other artists can be found at http://www.northernspiritradio.org/.