Michelle Lynn

Without an Outline Photo Album

2011-12-05T14:52:00.001-08:00

Crossroads Entertainment Conference - Nov. 10 & 11

2011-10-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Michelle Lynn will be one of the eight acts performing at the Crossroads Music Showcase taking place during the 2011 Crossroads Entertainment Conference in Des Moines, Iowa November 10 and 11.

Bad Passenger Adam Ptacek will join Michelle for the showcase happening at the People's Court (216 Court Ave, 3rd Fl) on Thursday Nov 10. Doors open at 6pm for industry networking, as well as appetizers and drink specials. Music starts at 8pm. Seven other acts from throughout the midwest are also performing, including: Lubriphonic, Vanity Theft, Making Movies, Mathien, Rebel Creek, The Sexual Undertones, and Datagun.

Tickets for the showcase are $10. An all access conference pass is $30, which includes all the music industry seminars. Tickets are available here.

The Crossroads Entertainment Conference is the Upper Midwest’s only event to educate, connect and showcase the work of entertainment industry in an effort to strengthen the entertainment infrastructure now and for the future. Musicians, visual and performance artist, film makers, entertainment entrepreneurs, food and beverage masters and industries that support creativity all come together at Crossroads. The 2011 event "Challenge Drives Change" will feature two days of professional development seminars highlighting models and skills that have helped organizations triumph in challenging times.

http://www.crossroadsmidwest.com/

Little Village Magazine, Iowa City

2011-08-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

"Weekender Calendar Write-up"
Little Village Magazine
"Iowa City's News & Culture Magazine"

THURSDAY: Michelle Lynn @ Uptown Bill’s
6:00 PM // Free, All Ages
Hailing from Decorah, Michelle Lynn found inspiration for her most recent album Sundial Tree in Austin, TX. Taking a sabbatical from the harsh Midwestern winter, Lynn focused her songwriting and develop her record, a concept album that revolves around ideas of numbers and times. The result of these mathematical connections is an album that has soul and creativity. While she calls herself folk-oriented, the music she creates skews more pop. Her voice, for some reason, reminds me a lot of an American Beth Orton. She’s got the same sort of earthiness, while lacking the British diction of Orton. Fans of folk, folk-pop and/or singer-songwriters should have a blast at this show. Her album as well as further information can be found at her website.

KPVL Interview with Mike Blevins

2011-08-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Michelle stopped by the KPVL studio on August 22nd to discuss her influences and roots with Mike Blevins on Just Imagine, NE Iowa's peace and justice radio hour.

&amp;lt;a href="http://891theblend.bandcamp.com/track/michelle-lynn-interview"&amp;gt;Michelle Lynn interview by KPVL 89.1 The Blend&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Michelle Lynn "& Friends" at Lawn Chair Night

2011-08-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

Michelle Lynn (and friends) perform at Lawn Chair Night tonight (Thursday, Aug. 18)
by Decorah Newspapers - Julie Berg-Raymond

Michelle Lynn performs at Lawn Chair Night tonight (Thursday, Aug. 18).

Joining her for what promises to be an evening of great music are: Kyle Holder on drums, along with guest musicians Nori Hadley (violin), Pine Wilson (accordian), Kaija Kjome (harmonies) Adam Wiltgen (cow bell and egg shaker). Adam Ptacek returns as a permanent fixture on bass.

Music starts at 7 p.m., at the courthouse square in Decorah.

Driftless Music Radio Podcasts with Adam Wiltgen

2011-04-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

In December 2009, Michelle recorded an hour and half phone interview with DriftlessMusic.com editor Adam Wiltgen that dissected each song on Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern. The conversation was cut up into smaller, bite-sized podcasts that were published weekly in early 2010.

In November 2010, Michelle sat down with Adam in the studios of 89.1 KPVL to discuss her album Sundial Tree, as well as perform an unreleased song called "Automatic Thoughts."

All the interviews were published or aired as part of the "Driftless Music Radio Podcast" series and are accessible below.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://891theblend.bandcamp.com/track/michelle-lynn-sundial-tree"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Michelle Lynn - Sundial Tree by 89.1 The Blend&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://891theblend.bandcamp.com/track/michelle-lynn-final-four-songs-from-pre-echoes-part-1"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Michelle Lynn - Final Four Songs from &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;Pre-Echoes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; - Part 1 by 89.1 The Blend&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://891theblend.bandcamp.com/track/michelle-lynn-final-four-songs-from-pre-echoes-part-2"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Michelle Lynn - Final Four Songs from &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;Pre-Echoes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; - Part 2 by 89.1 The Blend&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Driftless Music Podcast 10 - Michelle Lynn - "Hijacked Light"

Driftless Music Podcast 9 - Michelle Lynn - "Feedback"

Driftless Music Podcast 8 - Michelle Lynn - "Badge of Pain"

Driftless Music Podcast 7 - Michelle Lynn - "Multiverse"

Driftless Music Podcast 6 - Michelle Lynn - "Death by Fear"

Driftless Music Podcast 5 - Michelle Lynn - "Changes in Venus"

Driftless Music Podcast 4 - Michelle Lynn - "Ouroboros"

Driftless Music Podcast 3 - Michelle Lynn - "Desert Flood"

Driftless Music Podcast 2 - Michelle Lynn - "Ether"

Driftless Music Podcast 1 - Michelle Lynn - "Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern"

Second Supper Album Review by Jason Crider

2011-02-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

"SUNDIAL TREE ALBUM REVIEW"
By Jason Crider
jason.crider@secondsupper.com

With the exception of the latest Iron & Wine LP, I have been very disappointed with modern “folk” music lately. I use quotation marks here because, technically, I’m not using that genre correctly and I don’t want to piss off any of my hipster friends. What I should say is that lately I have been disappointed with the perplexingly multifaceted and somewhat contradictory sub-genre that is currently known as contemporary alternative folk. Lately a lot of these “folk” artists seem to think that branding themselves with this genre gives them artistic license to abandon all drive and creativity in exchange for a lazy, regurgitated and uninspired sound. I’ve heard a lot of music critics accredit the cult popularity of “O Brother, Where art Thou?” with the monstrous “indie folk” uprising that has happened over the past few years. Seriously? I mean, I’ll admit I have the soundtrack on my iPod, (with a play count at 23, for those of you keeping score), but I didn’t see it as grounds for some kind of musical revolution. I’m probably just too mainstream to understand it all though.

That being said, I was mentally preparing myself for even more disappointment when I started listening to the folk-influenced Sundial Tree by Midwestern singer/songwriter Michelle Lynn. I wasn’t disappointed at all though; it took a few spins, but I’m starting to really get into this album. Sundial Tree is a concept album that Lynn describes as focusing on the relationship between nature, mathematics, beauty and time, a somewhat eclectic, yet surprisingly harmonious assortment of ideas that flow quite naturally with the feel of the album. What I found most refreshing about this album was that it didn’t consist of the typical singles-oriented structure that many modern albums become crippled by; rather it flows more like one solid musical exploration.

Throughout the album’s thirteen tracks, Lynn sings with a sense of genuine conviction and honesty, with a voice that I can only describe as soulful and powerful. Sundial Tree is, at the very core, a solid album filled with songs that are simultaneously upbeat and calming, which gives the listener a feeling of oneness with nature without any of that cliché hippie nonsense. Lynn is joined on the album by “the Bad Passengers,” a name referring to bassist Adam Ptacek, who is also Lynn’s boyfriend, and drummer Matt Olson, who recorded the album in his basement studio in Onalaska. Olson is known in the La Crosse area for his work as Brahman Shaman, a band in which he writes, plays, records and produces all of his own music.

Michelle Lynn and the Bad Passengers, Brahman Shaman and Mouse Pocket will be playing an all-ages show at the Root Note on Friday, Feb. 4 at 8:30 p.m.

Click Here to read the article on Second Supper's website.

2010 Comments

2010-12-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

This has been a great year like no other! I can only start by saying thank you to all the supportive people who made it possible. Being in Decorah at the Chez Shack has been very rewarding. Many people around this area have been very inspirational to me - including (but not limited to).. Adam Ptacek, Adam Wiltgen and Carl “Maxxx” Alstad at KPVL, Amalia Vagts, David Lester, Nori Hadley, Dominique and Mike at T-bocks, David Cavagnaro, and many local artists including John Snyder, Tom Savre and Rob, Liz Rog, Pine Wilson and Maritza, DamselFly, Jeni Grouws, Joe and Vicki Price, Kaija and John Kjome, Aryn and Benji at Inspired, Kristen and Lea at the Art Haus and many others! Also, hosting KDEC and T-bocks Open Stage has been a great opportunity to watch and learn from the many talented artists in this community.

Since returning to the Midwest in March, I have enjoyed many new gigs at places I've never played before, including the Art Haus, Monks Kafe, The Oak Center, The Toppling Goliath, McCafrey's Dolce Vita, The Optimo Cafe, Leo's Lounge, and The Bandit Co. Fair. I have also enjoyed continuing support from venues like the Haymarket, Ed's Bar, The Main Entrance, Del's Bar, The Horse Shoe, The Root Note, and Riverfest. This past summer I also enjoyed splitting shows with Nick Shattuck, Hyphon, TUGG, Brahman Shaman, and Alex Toast (Mouse Pocket) from the La Crosse area. I kept a very busy schedule in 2010 playing and recording and I am excited to resume CD release shows for Sundial Tree in the Spring.

Looking ahead into 2011, I hope to expand my touring a little more and head up to Duluth and Northern Wisconsin, and also down to Iowa City and Cedar Falls. A jam session has started at the Chez Shack with the help of Tom and Rob. Jamming with them on jazz has been great and I hope to keep learning from them and jam with many others. Hopefully, my idea of a rotating band will come into shape as well this next year.

I have been listening to a lot of theatrical and playful music lately like Bjork, The Talking Heads, Curtis Mayfield, Queen, and David Bowie. I will soon be recording some songs I've been working on and approach them very differently - they are definitely songs that call for electric guitars, sonic effects, and hopefully Matt Olson at Ghost in My House Studios will be adding some drums to them. When this work is released as a CD, I will be releasing a book of poetry as well. This will be poetry and lyrics from the first 5 albums. I will be working on the book soon with Kaija Kjome regarding artwork and Adam Wiltgen regarding graphic design. This project will be very rewarding and I look forward to releasing it in 2011 or 2012

Take care and thanks again for listening!

Onalaska Holmen Courier-Life by Michael Martin

2010-11-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

"Lynn CD Explores Nature of Time"
by Michael Martin
mike.martin@lee.net

Although she’s only 24, folk-oriented singer-songwriter Michelle Lynn has been playing professionally for six years and has just released her fourth album. Called “Sundial Tree,” it was recorded in Onalaska and is the product of a winter spent in Austin, Texas.

Lynn said when she starts working on an album, she picks an area of herself that she would like to work on and then uses music to explore it.

“I was taking a walk one day and the phrase ‘sundial tree’ came to me,” Lynn recalled. “Then it occurred to me that every problem I’ve ever had is a problem I’ve had with time.”

During her winter in Texas, Lynn — who is based in Decorah, Iowa but plays all over the tri-state area — wrote the 13 songs of what she calls “a concept album about nature, numbers and time. It’s about beauty and mathematics and different ways of looking at the world.”

After her return to the Midwest last March, Lynn traveled to Onalaska and Matt Olson’s Ghost in My House Studio to begin recording the album (a part of the album was also done at Chez Shack Studio).

According to Lynn, Olson’s basement studio is a kind of a musician’s co-op, a place where musicians who are friends of Olson can get their music mixed and mastered.

Bass guitar on the album was provided by Lynn’s boyfriend, Adam Ptacek, a former bandmate of Olson in Rearview Mirror. Olson, who plays drums on “Sundial Tree,” worked on two of Lynn’s previous albums.
“Matt is a multidimensional artist is the way I look at it,” Lynn said. “He’s talented in a lot of areas. He mixes and masters and has helped other artists besides me.”

Olson, who has recorded two CDs of his own songs under the name Brahman Shaman, enjoys taking time away from his own recordings to help others with theirs.

“I get as much satisfaction out of helping someone bring out their creativity as I do doing my own stuff,” Olson said. “I really like to see the reaction in their eyes when they hear it (the recording) for the first time.”

In Lynn’s case, Olson said he doesn’t have to do much. “She’s such a talented artist. She’s a really lyrical songwriter who has a strong idea where she’s headed — she probably works on her music more than anyone I know. I just use my experience to help her bring out what she wants.”

“Sundial Tree” is a little different from Lynn’s previous albums in that Olson and Ptacek play with her on every song. “It’s probably more like a rock album than anything I’ve done before,” she said.

There will be a CD release party at Del’s Bar in La Crosse on Nov. 11 and Olson and Ptacek — billed as the Bad Passengers on the album — will be there as well.

“It will be the first time I’ll have played in La Crosse since we did the album,” Lynn said.

Olson enjoys playing with Lynn and Ptacek, but his wife just had a baby last month so he doesn’t expect to be playing out much in the near future.

“When I can, I’ll probably be doing more recording. Computers and technology are getting more and more affordable — plus I really get a kick out of it,” he said.

During her hiatus in Texas, Lynn (known for her grueling performance schedule) did not play out at all. Instead, she spent a lot of time alone and listening to the music of others. “It was great for me — I was in my element. It was really good to take a break from performing,” Lynn said.

Asked how she would compare this album with others she’s done, Lynn said she’s grown up a bit. “I’ve matured as a person, and I think I have a little more playful mentality with my writing,” she said. “Music is a gift, something I live for. It’s my passion and I try to take what I do seriously, but not take myself so seriously.”

Click here to read the original article on the Onalaska Holmen Couier-Life website.

KWLC interview with Andrew & Sonic

2010-10-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Michelle Lynn talks about Sundial Tree on KWLC
by Andrew & Sonic

Michelle Lynn stopped by the KWLC, the Luther College student radio station, on October 23rd, 2010 to talk about her new album Sundial Tree.

DIRECT LINK

Thoughts on Sundial Tree

2010-10-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Sundial Tree was written during four winter months in Austin, TX. During this time, I spent a lot of time alone with exotic plants thinking about my relationship with music and why I do what I do in most areas of living. It occurred to me - Every problem I have ever had is a problem I have with time.

When I begin the writing process for any album, I pick an area of myself that I'd like to work on and I use music to explore it. For the album Sundial Tree I was looking for a solid and pragmatic experience. Pre Echoes for the Postmodern (the last album) took the essence of my being for a loop and dropped it in a new place. This place was familiar and old. It was a side of my mind I always knew was there but couldn't comprehend until going through some distinct stages. To explain and explore this place, I turned to the cycles of time and the numbers behind nature. Greeks like Pythagoras saw music, mathematics, time, and philosophy as part of the same system.

I became really excited about math once I knew of shapes and numbers within nature in a way I hadn't known before. The numbers behind music are natural laws that are pleasing to the ear even when musicians such as myself aren't explicitly aware of how it is happening. It is hard for me to believe in ideas so I believe in math. However, I still like to explore ideas in terms of levels and dimensions and words serve this purpose for now. If my dexterity develops I hope to do it with sound.

Once returned to the Midwest in March 2010 I began recording the songs with Matt Olson at Ghost in My House Studio and later at Chez Shack Studio.

Thanks,

Michelle Lynn

The Bad Passengers

2010-10-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Bad Passengers is a term Matt Olson came up with a while ago. I am very thankful for the term and it fits the many brilliant people who helped with Sundial Tree. They think for themselves and I love them for that.

Rachel Cahoon - Artwork

Adam Ptacek - bass
Matt Olson - drums, mixing, mastering, electric guitar on tracks 2,3,7
David Lester - harmonica
Nori Hadley - violin
Kaija Kjome - photos taken at Pepperfield (David Cavagnaro residence)
Adam Wiltgen - graphic design

Of course, the Bad Passengers that join me on stage the most are Matt Olson and Adam Ptacek. This summer they really helped develop confidence about working with other musicians in order to grow and have a great time. Adam and I are very excited for Matt and his wife Lish because they are having a baby girl this fall. Matt will be taking a break and will not be joining us for the CD release shows. We wish him the best with the many adventures he has ahead of him and look forward to his eventual return to the band.

The Bad Passengers is part philosophy and part reality. Anyone can join or leave this practice at any given time. I can't thank the above people enough for the wonderful experience I had making this album. Hopefully our paths will cross again.

"Sundial Tree" Photo Album

2010-10-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. Photos By Kaija Kjome.

Sundial Tree

2010-10-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Track Listing: (LYRICS)

1. Align
2. Black Hole

3. Mathematician Mystic

4. Twisted Logic

5. Inner Truce

6. Variables of Control

7. Infinity Around a Zero

8. Side Effects of Gravity

9. Rotating Our Saviors

10. Chance

11. Inverse Relationship

12. Identity

13. Sundial Tree

"The numbers behind music are natural laws that are pleasing to the ear even when musicians such as myself aren't explicitly aware of how it is happening. It is hard for me to believe in ideas so I believe in math. However, I still like to explore ideas in terms of levels and dimensions and words serve this purpose for now." - Michelle

Engineered & Mixed by Michelle Lynn at Chez Studio in Decorah. Post-Production and Mastering by Matt Olson at Ghost in My House Studio. Track 1 & 8 feature Nori Hadley on Violin. Track 4 features David Lester on Harmonica Matt Olson played drums, as well as guitar on tracks 2,3, & 7. Adam Ptacek played bass.

Inspire(d) Magazine mention by Benji Nichols

2010-10-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

"Michelle Lynn Releases Sundial Tree"
by Benji Nichols
benji@theinspiredmedia.com
The following text appears on page 15 of the October / November 2010 issue.

Decorah based singer / songwriter Michelle Lynn is releasing her new independent record, Sundial Tree, this month. A regional favorite amongst music enthusiasts, Lynn proudly brings this latest offering to the public as an album that explores nature, numbers, and time.

"I've evolved as a person and come to some personal conclusions that cause the lyrical content to be less cynical and a lot more inspiring," says the artist.

Sundial Tree also goes to a new level with its recording. Matt Olson, of Ghost in My House Studio in Onalaska, Wisconsin, helped Lynn record the songs, and mixed and mastered the album. Olson also played drums and some guitar tracks on the record, in addition to Adam Ptacek on bass, David Lester on harmonica, and Nori Hadley on violin. The acoustic-driven songs of Michelle Lynn are built on compelling lyrics of experience, travel, and love, and it is clear with each passing year Lynn has grown as an artist and musician.

Michelle Lynn will be performing several local CD release shows in the coming weeks. Visit www.myspace.com/michellelynnmusic for up to date show listings.

MWMF Recap / More Live Videos

2010-08-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE to read Adam Wiltgen's recap of the Driftless Music showcase at Mid West Music Fest in Winona on July 30th, as well as view a video of me performing Old Soul Syndrome. Visual artist Maria Murray joined me on stage to paint during my set.

CLICK HERE to see me perform Desert Flood, as well as give an interesting introduction to the song, at the Main Entrance in Prairie du Chien on August 6th.

CLICK HERE to watch me perform Not Big Words (Just a Lot of Words) at McCaffrey's Dolce Vita in Decorah on August 14th. There were some very cute children putting cash in my tip jar during this song.

The Live Feed on 89.5 KQAL

2010-07-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

The Live Feed presents:
Michelle Lynn
by Terese Tenseth & Lisa Ostrander

Musicians live in studio for interviews and acoustic performances. Sometimes live on location interviews and performances too! Focus on local area artists. This episode was recorded live at Ed's No Name Bar in Winona, MN in the summer of 2010.

DIRECT LINK

Sundial Tree Lyrics

2010-07-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

Track Listing:

1. Align
2. Black Hole

3. Mathematician Mystic

4. Twisted Logic

5. Inner Truce

6. Variables of Control

7. Infinity Around a Zero

8. Side Effects of Gravity

9. Rotating Our Saviors

10. Chance

11. Inverse Relationship

12. Identity

13. Sundial Tree

Align

set the pace when my heart races
guard my gate from all invasion
one time all sides aligned
sides of you I never saw
shaped you into who you are
one time all sides aligned
beside those ley lines
what mind could define
hold it soul
do you know the sequel
break the mold and your weight in gold
is on the table
one time all sides aligned
beside those ley lines
unite
thrive

Black Hole

don’t make any sudden moves
hypnotizing solitude
crowd yourself alone in a room
forces pulling through

with the past as a prologue
wrapped up in the monologue
I should have noticed you were gone
I drew a line I drew it wrong
to forget what side I was on
and now of all the things to think out loud...

convert the spirits
market your weakness
every step I tried to skip
would haunt me as I’d trip

I’d object I’d reject
disconnect to reconnect
like archers in the wilderness
bow and arrow as the tree splits
what is strange is what isn’t
and now of all the things to think out loud
dark breaths in light breathes out
so breathe out

all the labors of Hercules
lift the weight off my chest please
it no longer bothers me
lift the veil so I can see
in the blackest of holes
time flies by as time grows old
I would like to crack the code
wait a second I explode
wait a minute I decompose
and now of all the things to think out loud
dark breathes in light breathes out
so breathe out

Mathematician Mystic

how many out laws breathe down your neck
how many ideas get off your chest
how many options in your honest opinion
how many underworlds pined for your soul
how many circus freaks square your circle
how many hoops and rings am I jumping through

thought I’d ask before closing our eyes Counting the steps
walking in darkness Find the way back
ditch the curse and draw a map
too calculated to be chaotic

how many servants tend your garden
how many governments in their eden
how many options in your honest opinion
how many ballistic capitalists
how many overdosed wiz kids
how many Mathematician Mystic

counting picket signs on the lawn
counting like minds banging your gong
counting singers in the samsara song

how many combinations unlocking
how many fractals multiplying
how many links in the chain of blame are breaking

thought I’d ask before closing our eyes Counting the steps
walking in darkness Find the way back
ditch the curse and draw a map
too calculated to be chaotic

Twisted Logic

darwin’s children brighten up the dark ages
while heathens sell hymns to sadder but wiser sages
I’ll dance for you if you sing for me
I’ll sleep walk on a balance beam
pad the walls and spot me
but you don’t have to
believe me

we have no need to overcome
what is coming over us
it’s twisted logic

worker bee referees hound me
while thieves check inventory
kerosene moonbeams and lightening
light a scene for you and me
if destiny has a history
it’s been updated with no guarantee
as up to date history is expanding exponentially

we have no need to overcome
what is coming over us
it’s twisted logic

omens beckon superstition and supernatural conditions
was suspension in the fifth dimension
ever mentioned in the job description
it takes twenty years to grow a spine
I can’t walk talk think or write in a straight line
but this is one way to find a way to say
friend I’m alright
with twisted logic

Inner Truce

should have known
you knew all along
I should have known
I could be wrong
angel who sold my ghost
pay back what was borrowed
hanging in limbo selling your black halos
I was alone for you I’d be gone
now when alone do I belong
messengers don’t shoot
even at high noon
bury the hatchet stranger things could happen
antagonist no longer steal my bliss
method where’s the madness
lost in a book Lost on the atlas
hold on what holds it in
messengers don’t shoot
even at high noon
latitude and longitude track you
attitudes of gratitude induce
inner truce
I should have known
I could be wrong
I should have known
you knew all along

Variables of Control

do I ever see what you show me
do I ever get where I’m going
time erased me this morning
tonight again I am forming
all the seers of sound
say our kind is not profound
we’re in the background
figuring you inside out

I’d push I’d pull
I didn’t know what was in control

dawn of time or fall of man
we take whatever’s in season
whether walls are closing in
or a portholes opening
the door won’t swing the way it did yesterday
I told it please go away
it came back and it laughed in my face

I’d push I’d pull
I didn’t know what was the variable

cheshire cats sold your smile
bandits bloodied your Nile
all this all the while
your vitals on file
as dreamers of the day
say it hurts to be awake
it never hurts to say
tomorrow’s another day

I’ll push I’ll pull
I’d love to know what is in control

Infinity Around a Zero

dropped my anchor down
landed out of bounds
up down in a round about
where there is nothing
nothing is left out

we are extreme we are equal
like infinity around a zero

defy monotony lies
one double life at a time
sit tight hear a call in the night
every clock unwinds

we are extreme we are equal
like infinity around a zero

go on
go on for eons
lessons return until they are learned
lessons reoccur

karma or consequence
no outcome out of sequence
you came you went
foot prints on my wet cement
every event left a dent

Side Effects of Gravity

don’t take a bad thing and make it worse
peddle to the meddle in reverse hurts
standing still hurts worse
has it been over ran
don’t run it over again
never again

where is the prescription to cure us of our brain
traveling so far so fast everything looked the same
why did I try I’m a cliché
all the way What a cliché
have a nice day

medicate side effects
medicate side effects of gravity

we chase the horizon some call it a dead end
we fall off the grid some call it hitting bottom
when I feel everything times ten
don’t sedate me
empathy is only boundaries dissolving

Rotating Our Saviors

jokers line the court
rotating our saviors
knock on door
to our core
right on course
hoof beats pounding
as we awake from sleep
centuries unraveling

finally you agree my head is a committee
no one is pleased with all of these categories
leaving me guessing

what lights you up
sets you off
we stumbled
now let us walk
calling upon the four directions
where time fell to land
into our hands
surely it can slip out of them
an intuition on our vibrations

finally you agree my head is a committee
no one is pleased with all of these categories
leaving me guessing

rotating our saviors

Chance

making plans we plan to adapt
we grew best as we fell through the cracks
all we need is a small plot of land
one pure thought and maybe a garden
all our plans owe possibility a chance
obsession and jealousy are breeding grounds
for the devil in heat
the less I have the less I need
where we’re the same is where you see through me
all our plans owe possibility a chance
each day shouldn’t be something to get through
or a task on a list I wake up to do
the less I have the less I lose
I’m betting it all and I’m betting it on you

Inverse Relationship

it isn’t a way to live
it isn’t even a way to die
if it’s only an ugly lie

innocent on the sidelines
watching the abuse of life
did you wonder why

all went black
I came back

it seems death is our inverse relationship
we become what we miss
anything I learned from this
my only wish is we could share it

all went black
I came back
I came back
you’re all I lack
so come back

any odds to beat
any good things happening to me
leave me guilty
living to see today
when that’s more than you can say
how could I ever complain

Identity

needed a new conclusion to what I was doing
proving can’t disguise illusion
maybe I am only a collection
memories of places I haven’t been

needed a new set of skin to crawl through life in
I tried to shed it and was buried instead
repress or represent
depends on which way you like to bend

well hello I don’t know you either
I’m replaceable maybe you’re the keeper

to be reborn was all I wanted
maybe I was too vague
I had it surrounded and then it slipped free
abandoned it followed me home

well hello I don’t know you either
I’m replaceable maybe you’re the keeper

identity is easily confiscated
I became what I hated
and now it’s create or be created
I bet I better live it to be reborn

my heart the size of your fist
original come back kid come back to your senses
maybe life is only memorizing a blur
and proof is the lie told backwards

Sundial Tree

merchants greet the dawn
everyone is setting up
from the coliseum to the arboretum
architects building flowers
men of the hour in ivory towers
guardians grow louder

how late will it seem sundial tree

veins on a leaf like veins on me
somewhere downstream
midsummer day heat
restless young birds
fall from their perch
face up on the earth
square in the middle of dirt

how late does it seem sundial tree

when my day is done
I’ll fall down with the sun
off the pendulum into momentum

how late did it seem sundial tree

Winona 360 by Kate Carlson

2010-06-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

"Michelle Lynn is girl power"

By Kate Carlson
Winona 360

What started as a spur-of-the-moment adventure in the corner of Acoustic Cafe in downtown Winona turned into a lifelong passion and career for one Decorah, Iowa-based musician.

Michelle Lynn just wanted to write. During her teenage years, she penned everything from poems to prose to song lyrics, yet didn't have a medium in which to present her work.

"I've always had an interest in writing and poetry and it didn't occur to me until I was surrounded by musicians that I could learn an instrument and perform my work," she said.

And so she did. Lynn took up the guitar and began singing her pieces to friends and family, but her act wasn't complete without a live show. A friend who was attending Winona State University at the time talked her into performing at the Acoustic Cafe and from that moment on, she knew she was hooked.

"It's funny how you remember everything about your first show," Lynn said. "I can still remember how...

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Videos from Recent Gigs

2010-05-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

My busy, busy summer schedule of gigs has gotten off to a successful start. When possible, I've been performing with my new backing band: The Bad Passengers. They will be featured prominently on my forthcoming album Sundial Tree, which will hopefully be released this fall. Check out my upcoming performance schedule HERE. Links to videos from my recent gigs, courtesy of Driftless Music editor Adam Wiltgen, are below.

Synchronicities at Random - Live at the Irish Shanti in Gunder, IA

As Good As Mine, Mathematician Mystic, and Black Hole - Live at the Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis, MN

Badge of Pain and Infinity Around a Zero - Live at Del's Bar in La Crosse WI

Northern Spirit Radio interview with Mark Helpsmeet

2010-05-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

"Michelle Lynn's Song of the Soul"

by Mark Helpsmeet

helpsmeet@usa.net

Michelle Lynn, at 23, has already made 3 CD's, Jumping in Chains, Hospital Radio and Pre-echos for the Postmodern. experiencing her own spiritual emergence in the process. She now lives in Decorah, Iowa.

Song of the Soul invites you to a soul-level encounter. Music has the ability to proclaim the soul's language beyond what mere words can speak. That's what we seek as we invite our guests to share their Song of the Soul. Guests provide about 25 minutes of the music that speaks of their spiritual path, beliefs or journey, and Mark Helpsmeet explores with them the relevance and meaning of this music to their experience.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Videos from Twin Cities Shows

2010-04-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE to view a video from my performance at Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis on Thursday April 22.

CLICK HERE to view a video from my performance at the Saint Paul Eagles Club on Friday April 23.

Both videos feature songs from my forthcoming album Twisted Logic.

Planet Revels Interview with Andrew Revels

2010-04-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

Second Supper by Anna Soldner

2010-03-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

"Michelle Lynn Looks Deep Inside for Her Third Album"

by Anna Soldner

anna.soldner@secondsupper.com

It doesn’t take more than a few minutes of listening to Michelle Lynn’s unique, soulful voice blended with her acoustic strumming to realize that this young woman has talent, a type of unexpected, pure proficiency cultivated without the benefit of lifelong voice lessons or musical theory training.

Lynn, 23, has just released her third album, but despite achieving steady success, she is just starting to become comfortable with life as a full-time musician.

Growing up on a century farm in Northeast Iowa, Lynn was more interested in writing and journalism than music. “If someone when I was 15 would have told me that I wanted to be a singer/songwriter, it wasn’t on my mind at all,” she says with a laugh. At the age of 17, just after graduating from high school, Lynn instinctively picked up the guitar and after the first week was completely enamored. She found the musical process extremely healing. “The guitar just struck me, and I really, really enjoyed it," she says. "So for about a year I hammered it and just started writing, and ever since then I’ve felt so much better expressing myself. I had a really hard time expressing myself growing up. ... So when I found it, I finally felt at home.”

She knew she had found her life passion. “I just had this feeling...

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

La Crosse Tribune mention by Geri Parlin

2010-03-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

"Lynn Returns for Three Area Concerts"

By Geri Parlin
gparlin@lacrossetribune.com

Singer-songwriter Michelle Lynn returns to the area for a couple shows this spring.

When she left town last year, she headed toward the Twin Cities.She decided that was not for her and ended up in Austin, Texas, instead, where she recorded a new album, Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern.

Her songs range from the Latin-tinged Ouroboros, to the alt-rock Death by Fear, a collaboration with producer Brahman Shaman.

Locally, you can catch her at 8:30 p.m. March 20 at The Root Note, 115 S. Fourth St. ($3 cover and all ages welcome), where she will be joined by Hyphon and Brahman Shaman. She also will perform at 10 p.m. March 25 at Del's, 229 S. Third St. (free) and at 7 p.m. April 3 at the Trempealeau Hotel, Trempealeau (free.)

Her CD will be available at her shows, Dave's Guitar, Deaf Ear and online at http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com.

95.7 The Rock Interview with Dio

2010-03-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

"Local Licks 6 Pack" with Michelle Lynn

Michelle Lynn stopped by the 95.7 The Rock studios in downtown La Crosse on Thursday March 11 to chat about, and play a few songs from, her new album Pre-Echoes for the Post Modern.

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/interview-with-dio-on-957-fm-the-rock-wrqt">Interview with Dio on 95.7 FM The Rock / WRQT by Michelle Lynn</a>

DIRECT LINK

Ouroboros as the Voice Behind the Album...

2010-01-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. It shows up in the ancient Egyptian, Aztec, Hindu, Greek, Chinese, and Native American cultures. A mulit-cultural photo shoot was done with the album (Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern) to represent this ethnic variety.

The following is a quote by Carl Jung explaining why Ouroboros as an archetype could define and set the framework for this album:

"The alchemists, who in their own way knew more about the nature of the individuation process than we moderns do, expressed this paradox through the symbol of the ouroboros, the snake that eats its own tail. In the age-old image of the ouroboros lies the thought of devouring oneself and turning oneself into a circulatory process, for it was clear to the more astute alchemists that the prima materia of art was man himself. The ouroboros is a dramatic symbol for the integration and assimilation of the opposite, i.e. of the shadow. This 'feed-back' process is at the same time a symbol of immortality, since it is said of the ouroboros that he slays himself and brings himself to life, fertilises himself and gives birth to himself. He symbolises the One, who proceeds from the clash of opposites, and he therefore constitutes the secret of the prima materia which [...] unquestionably stems from man's unconscious." - Carl Jung, Collected Works, Vol. 14 para. 513

Thank you for your time and support. It is incredibly inspiring.

Special thanks to:

Rachel Cahoon - for her visionary contribution to the album's artwork.

Jason Herman - for graphic design and making the hard copy of the cd possible.

Matt Olson/ Brahman Shaman - For the lovely musical composition that became Death by Fear, drums on Desert Flood, and his hard work finalizing mixes

Adam Wiltgen - for his continued growth and knowledge of the music business

Adam Ptacek - for contributing bass to the songs, contributing vocals to Multiverse, and for his loving support during this process

Pre Echoes for the Postmodern

2009-12-29T00:37:00.000-08:00

Track Listing: (LYRICS)

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/feedback">Feedback by Michelle Lynn</a> 1. Feedback
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/synchronicities-at-random">Synchronicities at Random by Michelle Lynn</a> 2. Synchronicities at Random
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/desert-flood">Desert Flood by Michelle Lynn</a> 3. Desert Flood
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/ether">Ether by Michelle Lynn</a> 4. Ether
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/badge-of-pain">Badge of Pain by Michelle Lynn</a> 5. Badge of Pain
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/death-by-fear">Death By Fear by Michelle Lynn</a> 6. Death by Fear
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/multiverse">Multiverse by Michelle Lynn</a> 7. Multiverse
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/ouroboros">Ouroboros by Michelle Lynn</a> 8. Ouroboros
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/changes-in-venus">Changes in Venus by Michelle Lynn</a> 9. Changes in Venus
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/beyond">Beyond by Michelle Lynn</a> 10. Beyond
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/dont-buy-me-money">Don't Buy Me Money by Michelle Lynn</a> 11. Don't Buy Me Money
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/hijacked-light">Hijacked Light by Michelle Lynn</a> 12. Hijacked Light
<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/the-night-shift">The Night Shift by Michelle Lynn</a>13. The Night Shift

Michelle has emerged from a yearlong sabbatical in Austin, TX with a visionary new album entitled Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern. The songs tell the story of a sensitive soul willfully surrendering to the chaotically destructive process that breeds creation in the thin line between light and dark. The result is her most conceptually unified, lyrically compelling, and sonically diverse album to date.

Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern rises to new heights on the wings of lines like:

“A life sentence to a lovely déjà vu. At least I have you caught in my feedback loop” (from the intricately arranged Feedback)

"In the mean time, in the in between time, may you find time is now" (from the Latin-tinged Ouroboros)

“Death by fear is killing my spirit here. With storms ahead, suddenly it's clear: Tomorrow still comes around here.” (from Death by Fear, an alt-rock collaboration with producer Brahman Shaman).

This summer Michelle plans to tour extensively and finish recording her 4th album Twisted Logic.

Engineered & Mixed by Adam Ptacek & Michelle Lynn at MLM Studio in La Crescent, MN / Austin, TX. Post-Production and Mastering by Matt Olson at Ghost in My House Studio. "Death By Fear" music written, performed, recorded, engineered, & mixed by Matt Olson at Ghost in My House Studio. Drums on "Desert Flood" recorded and performed by Matt Olson at Ghost in My House Studio

Join My Fan Club & Receive "Death by Fear" MP3

2009-12-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hey there,

My new album, "Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern", will be released in the coming weeks. I've also recorded a series of "Pre-Echoes..." interview / conversation Podcasts with Adam Wiltgen at Driftless Music that will begin to be released in the coming days.

Sign up for my e-mail list fan club by clicking the "Read More!" link below to stay in the loop and have updates about the new album and the forthcoming podcasts mentioned above sent directly to your inbox! New additions to the fan club will immediately be sent a link in the confirmation email to download a hi-res 320k MP3 of the song "Death by Fear", my collaboration with Brahman Shaman from "Pre-Echoes...".

Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern Lyrics

2009-11-17T22:02:00.000-08:00

Track Listing:

1. Feedback
2. Synchronicities at Random

3. Desert Flood

4. Ether

5. Badge of Pain

6. Death by Fear

7. Multiverse

8. Ouroboros

9. Changes in Venus

10. Beyond

11. Don't by Me Money

12. Hijacked Light

13. The Night Shift

Feedback

could really use a disappearing act right now
instead I’ll wear this smile unless it wears you out
you and I speed straight through these towns
like all roads are leading out
you know I have things I don’t talk about
you’re the one who understands
what I’m trying to do here now
a little too far in to clearly see out
a little too far out to shut this thing down
and now it seems like no matter what I do
the only way out is through
when you look at me 
you don’t look like you’re wasting time
they say don’t waste your breath 
but I liked wasting mine
because I know it’s easier not to try
like how one time I thought it was easy to die
then you do not have to strive to justify
to the whos the hows whens wheres and whys
and now it seems like no matter what I do
the only way out is through
a life sentence to a lovely déjà vu
at least I have you caught in my feedback loop
we have all we need to continue on
won’t get it right until we realize
cant get it wrong
for every solution they say there is none
for every solution is there a new problem
and now it seems like no matter what I do

the only way out is through
a life sentence to a lovely déjà vu
at least I have you caught in my feedback loop
I knew I should get off that ride
before it stopped being fun
and now I’m ready to get back on

Synchronicities at Random

lately I get a feeling I am waiting for something
but nothing in particular is waiting for me
quietly but quickly coming you redefine my reality

another friend I didn’t plan on
synchronicities at random
I’ll never say I’ve seen it all
but I hope to so I can die with a yawn

as I calm my nervous twitch
and ever present traveling itch
on the search for the perfect conscience
a new light to cross my DNA with
golden ratio measurements
they don’t flow everything’s going metric

another glitch we didn’t plan on
synchronicities at random
I’ll never say I’ve seen it all 
but I hope to so I can die with a yawn

I would trade everything magical in for one thing mystical
street lady with a crystal ball sticking pins into the head of a doll
says hold out your palm I’ll read you well cuz they can’t read you at all

another guide I didn’t plan on 
synchronicities at random
don’t ever say you’ve seen it all
but when you do remember to stay calm

rivers wind from an untraceable source
stars in orbit seem to find their course
when I get lost is not a lost cause
can’t get back the way it was

life is complicated life is hard
some get bitter some get bored
while others get even
others get even more

astronomical observations are being made in the Vatican
loopholes are connecting the spiritual and profane intersecting
we coexist or we vanish
we coexist or we vanish

Desert Flood

I need someone to help me through this
where is the gospel according to Judas
I admit it I did it
my helpful mind made angel
and your deceitful man made devil
are they one 
I see no difference
once you see through the mirage
does it get easier to focus
maybe I should take a walk outside
maybe I should take a look inside
to exist transparent
but these days why am I afraid of my own honesty
do I offend you
I sure don’t mean to
if I hold it in I’ll turn colors for you
my cultural chameleon is shining through
desert flood nature I trust
is just seeking delicate balance
desert flood lick my dust
why when you come 
do you come all at once
in a wave of exhaustion I crashed and burned
onto your shores darling where I finally learned
grasping is clinging
and every undercover wreck
eventually drowns in their own torment
saturated or elevated
with all the flaura and fauna in bloom
in the beauty of a funeral flower
I saw youth
desert flood nature I trust
is just seeking delicate balance
desert flood lick my dust
why when you come 
do you come all at once
where is the gage for sensitivity
if they teach us to measure our worth by degrees
you’re all knowing but overflowing
with all of these technological means of quick communicating
I need some sacred mediums
knowledge is one salvation
where revelations become realizations 
until I am one with oblivion
in the desert

Ether

waking up alarmed by an unset clock
waiting our whole lives to put this off
last minute translation for transition
all interpretation
are we out of our element trying to think in future tense
some say all is fifty-fifty chance
either it will or it won’t happen
earth on fire over wind or water
where is this ether
many will distort what they reveal
as well as others hide what they conceal
still life scenes are still surreal
at the closing of their deals
earth on fire over wind or water 
where is this ether
what if all the elements bleed into one
and they try to tell us it’s just friction
what if all the elements bleed into one
and it’s so efficient they cover it up
as we’re about to run out of road
and pay for it as we go
changes here disguised as growth
moving backwards when moving back and forth
changes here disguised as growth
moving backwards when moving back and forth
where is this ether
what if all the elements bleed into one
and they try to tell us it’s just friction
what if all the elements bleed into one
and it’s so efficient they cover it up

Badge of Pain

I have nothing new to say to anybody
when I’m trying to say what I wish somebody told me
bad luck is no excuse for all these bad habits
do you think it’s only happened to you
where’s your perspective
looking back I knew exactly what you were saying
but not the backhanded way you were saying it to me
you thought nobody would find out
you thought nobody would see nobody is somebody like me
and I refuse to participate in these competitive games
I hope we take what comes our way and handle it with grace
indeed it takes tragedy to teach you who you are 
but I have no respect when you try to play it like a trump card
as you redundantly speak with bold raw confidence
about the ways you’ve been wronged when others just sit silent
does it make you mad you’re not the only one who had it bad
why does it make you sad the future is more real than the past
and the meaning you attach is always greater than the actual event
leverage is knowing what you have but not using it
so the next time you pull out your badge of pain for all to see
I’ll gladly bow out of these contests for sympathy
I’ll gladly bow out
I think I’ve won my peace for now
Death by Fear  

preliminary panic feeds hypochondriacs
I live on high alert I don’t live for the aftermath
and it’s making me sick we make ourselves sick
heads left to spin on a lonely axis
before I become your new statistic
I’d like to join the dead serious poets
pages and pages of paranoia flow

until all my defense mechanisms are go

if I stare at the wall long enough like that

maybe the wall will start staring back

as media holds the mirror of public opinion

because they like animals attacking their own reflection

I mixed up the head count with the body count

can I drink the water now

why are those planes leaving clouds

death by fear is killing my spirit here

with storms ahead suddenly it’s clear

tomorrow still comes around here

if you take an emergency and renew it periodically

is there any room to breathe the life back into me

with all this weaponry there’s four pound of dynamite

for every man woman and child alive

this planet could be blown up nine times over

if the right dominos fall in the correct order

that’s how the west was won

and now the rest is gone

if western civilization thrives on intimidation

death by fear is killing my spirit here

with storms ahead suddenly it’s clear

tomorrow never comes around here

Multiverse

if I am nothing more than some animated matter
why pick it apart lets put this thing together
nobody sees every side to anybody
around here we try with chemistry with symmetry
our language speaks it’s energy
when I think of it does it think in me
are we creating or revealing

stream of consciousness drain the life out of me
I’m having that dream we go without sleep
I seep through your pores every open door 
gets me out of my head and back into yours
where the world is a metaphor 
our minds created to explore

it's coming through us in leaps and bounds
when I don’t open up it shuts me down
examination at the medicine wheel
free association vivid detail
how close to close is close enough
we make our love but why make it about us

stream of consciousness drain the life out of me
I’m having that dream where we go without sleep
I seep through your pores every open door 
gets me out of my head and back into yours
where the world is a metaphor 
our minds created to explore

if I am nothing more than some chemical reactions
push my buttons lets see what happens
can experiments read the mind of god
the god of your choice in an equation
and with a theory of everything
would there be exploring or exploiting
how many shades of grey will we need 
to paint a psychedelic picture merging these frames of mind
where memories bleed in black and white show me an inbetween

stream of consciousness drain the life out of me
I’m still having that dream we go without sleep
I seep through your pores every open door 
gets me out of my head and back into yours
where the world is a metaphor and nothing more

shhhh don’t interrupt my cell cycles with the toxic and artificial
the invisible divisible atom is at our disposal 
as we discard modern discipline it looks like eventual ruin
can I embrace your compassion effortless effort in every motion
stream of consciousness drain the life out of me

Ouroboros

what I don’t offer you today
will you take tomorrow anyway
I’m the shape-shifter you say
you’re the navigator let’s trade

nice to see you again old friend
tossing and turning the same things up again
every sign will exist none as a sign of weakness

in the meantime in the in between time
may you find time is now

all my sacrifice is not in vain 
is there a hole where your heart used to be
I’ll fill it in with simplicity
in scarcity my charity
transcending opposites
like a father sun and mother galaxy reunited
to fly above all there is
diving deep into it

in the meantime in the in between time
may you find time is now

you could have read the book of life in my eyes
instead you had your own gold to mine
humble me until I’m on my knees
please don’t mistake it for praying 
humble me until I’m on my knees 
and we’ll see whose begging

in the meantime in the in between time
may you find time is now

take it from me can’t take it with you
take it from me and leave my home alone

Changes in Venus

they put me in a box so I can corner you
corner me when you need a change in view
our bodies like prison glass they let us see through
you’ll slip me something good won’t you
I don’t need anything anymore except space
a little more room for a new fall from grace
I see a little of myself in your face
can you walk by a mirror without looking at yourself sideways
maybe in us we see changes in Venus
sister why must they pit ourselves again us
why would I want to stick out if I am stuck
it gets me down we get so hung up
inside the petty and frivolous 
all drama climaxes into a mind fuck
maybe in us we see changes in venus
sister why must they pit ourselves against us
following phases mixed with the solar system
why use self-destructive self-medication
to numb the excess in this civilization
now self-deprivation is used like confidence
and cat-calls confused as compliments
maybe in us we see changes in Venus
sister why must they pit ourselves against us
following phases mixed with the solar system
it would be oh so easy to sit and play along
in a play where it’s our part to play dead or play dumb
but I prefer the examples of women 
who dream the thoughts of history 
with one eye open

Beyond

more is going on here than we can see
gather your resources we are participating
in a quite unique time in human history
it’s no longer about you it never was about me

have we evolved beyond

strange the questions of modern science
are being searched for in cultures deceased and ancient
with their numbers and calculations did they pre-echo
our current situation

have we evolved beyond what we’re capable of

personal and political piling of defenses
it’s incredible the inevitable consequences
of failing to pay attention
young minds increasingly hyperactive make the connections
as human history pushes harder to go a little bit further
we may find we hit the wall faster and wake up
like clock work going through the motions 
or like robots in mental starvation
don’t let the details become the distraction
don’t let them turn your passion into a possession
have we evolved to become our own problem we now must solve

get back to basics reach ascension
bridge the distance between knowledge and wisdom
as human rights activists tell this ethical dilemma
wow are we treating future generations

have we evolved beyond what we’re capable of
have we evolved to become our own problem we now must solve
overhaul it all

Don't Buy Me Money

I was getting pretty good with numbers and
still felt bad on a scale from one to ten
so I looked into some wise old philosophies
did they all say one thing

don’t buy me money if it looks like debt
don’t buy me a lot of things if I don’t need them
this isn’t human, it’s not even humane
some pay their dues in a different way

maybe if Jesus owned the world bank
he’d have enough reason to quit holidays
with all the nick nack patty wack crap in the way
would he stop and say 

don’t buy me money if it looks like debt
don’t buy me a lot of things if I don’t need them
with the lengths we go to stretch beyond our means
see an ego surplus and arguing

if I don’t stimulate the economy
am I a bad citizen am I a commie
soon enough you’ll have to piss in a cup
before they let you sing songs 
or let your mouth open up

don’t buy me money if it looks like debt
don’t buy me a lot of things
I really don’t need them
this society could take years off my life
other than that I do not feel deprived

Hijacked Light

things are looking up and I’m by your side
watch the moon shine through the power lines
two of a kind only hijacked light
the sun the source around we go
as above so below
we wax we wane we whine we blame
we disappear and reappear as much over there as over here
we have the world at our feet
lets not turn it into concrete
I used to find myself in the meadow
can’t get centered inside a ghetto
are the effigies my home
I’m coming back and I am my own
I remember thinking what are we thinking
nothing adding up adds up to nothing
self activate me self motivate me
I’ll listen hard I’ll listen fast
a time to think a time to act
don’t need a preacher Don’t need a teacher
don’t need a speaker Not even a leader
show me someone who knows how to be here
lives here and does it well
no need to inflate nor degrade the self
this is right now we’re alright now
show me how you dream outloud
this is right now we’re alright now
prodigal daughters and bastard child saints
well on their way to the next phase
I used to find myself in the meadow
can’t get centered inside a ghetto
are the effigies my home
I’m coming back and I am my own

The Night Shift

our studies like most studies have shown
the greatest disagreements happen when nobody knows
the rules have changed so must the game
this place has changed and we’re changing place

has the world been turned upside down
so many times we think it’s right side up right now
what comes from within can go without
as this whole thing shifts are you coming around

any omnipresent sympathetic being 
knows you can look at something twice 
and not know what you are seeing
something is broken in our depth perception
we’ve got it down to an inexact science

has the world been turned upside down
so many times we think it’s right side up right now
what comes from within can go without
as they come in shifts are you coming around

my studies like your studies have shown
what sent the world spinning can spin out of control

what kind of facts are we dealing with 
as the unconscious comes to the surface
a slow division of the masses
explain highly unlikely yes

we'll take it into our head

we'll take it into our hands

keep making plans

Michelle Lynn EPK

2008-12-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

Listen:
Mathematician Mystic
Align
Twisted Logic

Press Materials:
Press one-sheet (PDF)
Hi-res promo photo (1)
Hi-res promo photo (2)
Hi-res promo photo (3)
Hi-res promo photo (4)
Sundial Tree Hi-res album cover

Booking:
Michelle Lynn - mlynnca@gmail.com

Press:
Adam Wiltgen - adam@driftlessmusic.com

What Others Have Already Said:
Michelle Lynn Press Archive

Discography:
Jump Roping in Chains (2005; Michelle Lynn Music)
Hospital Radio (2008; Michelle Lynn Music)
Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern (2009; Michelle Lynn Music / Driftless Music)
Sundial Tree (2010; Michelle Lynn Music / Driftless Music)

Biography:
With literate, transformative lyrics and a luminous, soulful voice; singer-songwriter Michelle Lynn connects the personal with the universal and the spiritual with the profane by confronting broader themes such as sustainability, feminism, dreams, love, & the global economy through the various archetypes she finds in and around her.

For her fourth album Sundial Tree, Michelle has assembled a studio band The Bad Passengers; anchored by former Rearview Mirror bandmates Adam Ptacek (bass) & Matt Olson (drums, electric guitar.) The release explores nature, numbers, and time while showcasing an idiosyncratic style of New Age Folk that is uniquely hers.

Currently based out of Decorah, Iowa, Michelle earns her living as a full-time artist and is known for her steady performance schedule, which regularly brings her to every corner of the Driftless Region in the Upper Midwest. She is currently busy writing her fifth album.

Links:
Official Website
Music Store / Stream

Videos:

Biography

2008-12-18T20:26:00.000-08:00

With literate, transformative lyrics and a luminous, thoughtful voice; singer-songwriter Michelle Lynn connects the personal with the universal--and the spiritual with the profane--by confronting broader themes she finds in and around her. While continuing to write and explore music she has come across a style of New Age Folk that is uniquely hers.

Currently based out of Decorah, Iowa, Michelle is known for her steady performance schedule, which regularly brings her to every corner of the Driftless Region in the Upper Midwest. She is occasionally joined on stage by a rotating cast of musicians dubbed The Bad Passengers; most regularly featuring Adam Ptacek (Rearview Mirror) on bass and Matt Olson (Brahman Shaman; Rearview Mirror) on drums . She is currently busy recording her fifth album after playing well over 100 shows in 2011.

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”.

Michelle has come into her own with her last two records, Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern (2009) and Sundial Tree (2010). Inspire(d) Magazine publisher Benji Nichols declared her “a regional favorite amongst 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.”

La Crosse Tribune article by Geri Parlin

2008-12-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

"Local singer-songwriter Michelle Lynn says it’s time to move on"

By Geri Parlin
gparlin@lacrossetribune.com

At 22, Michelle Lynn is starting over again — new town, new clubs, new friends.

“I just want to be a mobile person.”

And so the singer-songwriter will finish out her teaching assistant job in La Crescent through the end of the term in February and then pack up her guitar, her poems, her dreams, and try to make it in the Twin Cities.
...

She doesn’t like to confine herself to one genre of music but says her starting point is folk music.

“I’d say folk is the reference point, but other things can stream out of it so fast and then it goes right back into that traditional folk. As long as it’s one girl with a guitar, how far can you stray? I like to pound out the emotions. I’m trying to take on subjects that should be written about. I really want to find music that has stuff in there.”

http://tinyurl.com/yhkalul

Second Supper by Emily Faeth

2008-09-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

"Q & A" with Michelle Lynn

by Emily Faeth

emily.faeth@secondsupper.com

Michelle Lynn blew us away at this past summer's Culture Shock Festival. Her voice carried us through a tumultuous morning (weather-wise), and she hasn't stopped turning heads and ears with her unique sound since. Second Supper had the opportunity to sit down with the 22-year old music maverick and discuss what's on the radar for Michelle Lynn.

Second Supper: Can you tell us about your newest CD, Hospital Radio?

Michelle Lynn: Well, when I first moved up here...

http://tinyurl.com/yzzsyk2

Local Lixx with Cori Waters

2008-07-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

In-depth radio interview & discussion about "Hospital Radio"

by Cori Waters

Join Cori Waters for Local Lixx every Thursday Night at 6pm on Classic Hits 104.7 KVIK sponsored by Bookends & Beans and The Horseshoe Tap. Every Thursday we showcase a local band or musician, discuss the area's music scene, talk to them about upcoming shows and recent releases, and even have them perform live from the KVIK studio in downtown Decorah.

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/local-lixx-interview-with-cori-waters-kvik-1047">Local Lixx interview with Cori Waters - KVIK 104.7 by Michelle Lynn</a>

http://tinyurl.com/yz4ooa7

Inspire(d) Magazine by Amalia Vagts

2008-07-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Do You Know Where Your Music Comes From?"

By Amalia Vagts

It's a startlingly sunny day in Decorah, Iowa just days after flooding ravaged our corner of the Midwest. It's almost impossible to remember the rainy days before as singer-songwriter Michelle Lynn and I sit in the green grass of the the Winneshiek County Courthouse and talk about music, her new album, and what inspires her to write and perform. But the floods and the larger issues of climate change and societal shifts can't help but make their way into the conversation, as Michelle talks about the dynamic of growing up and documenting it in her music at the same time.

Michelle leans against the stone staircase and describes pieces of her childhood in Monona, Iowa. Music caught her interest at an early age, but she found other avenues to express her experiences. She talks of her early interest in "seeing it on a historical level," and the daily journal kept faithfully since age 11. At 17, she found the guitar.

"And I just started hammering away at the guitar, and at writing music," she says. "I really feel like I landed in a spot you can never trump with music. Music moves and grows with you as you get older, you are always progressing."

Michelle describes music as her source of inspiration and mode of self-observation....

http://tinyurl.com/ykz7j5z

Hospital Radio

2008-05-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Track Listing: (LYRICS)

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/old-soul-syndrome">Old Soul Syndrome by Michelle Lynn</a> 1. Old Soul Syndrome

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/wishing-you-well">Wishing You Well by Michelle Lynn</a> 2. Wishing You Well

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/mother-earths-abortion">Mother Earth's Abortion by Michelle Lynn</a> 3. Mother Earth's Abortion

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/american-experiment">American Experiment by Michelle Lynn</a> 4. American Experiment

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/second-generation-bum">Second Generation Bum by Michelle Lynn</a> 5. Second Generation Bum

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/my-captains-bed">My Captain's Bed by Michelle Lynn</a> 6. My Captain's Bed

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/damaged-goods">Damaged Goods by Michelle Lynn</a> 7. Damaged Goods

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/taste-of-hunger">Taste of Hunger by Michelle Lynn</a> 8. Taste of Hunger

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/neurosis-put-to-sound">Neurosis Put to Sound by Michelle Lynn</a> 9. Neurosis Put to Sound

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/born-fully-grown">Born Fully Grown by Michelle Lynn</a> 10. Born Fully Grown

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/monkey">Monkey by Michelle Lynn</a> 11. Monkey

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/when-the-raven-sings">When the Raven Sings by Michelle Lynn</a> 12. When the Raven Sings

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/ash">Ash by Michelle Lynn</a> 13. Ash

"Do You Know Where Your Music Comes From?" by Amalia Vagts, Inspire(d) Magazine, July '08

Michelle recently released her second recording "Hospital Radio," a remarkable collection of musing that seem way beyond her years. While she still feels like she's dealing with the same subject matter as the first album, she's looking at it in a different way. "I'm a 22-year-old-waling-adolescent-brain, but now I'm able to view my adolescence," she says. "I'm still hung up there, but now I can observe it."

I am always impressed with the depth and experience in her lyrics and ask what conclusions she draws from her own life through her music.

"Writing is a place to make connections," she says. "A lot of artists think it's bizarre how prophetic their music is to themselves."

Some of her own songs could be seen as prophetic of at least projected into the future, she says, such as "My Captian's Bed", which deals with the struggle to maintain one's self within a relationship. While the content matter deals with someone well into the complexities of a long-term relationship, she wrote the song in the first week of one.

Drums, Lead Guitar, & Banjo - Matt Olson
Bass - Adam Ptacek
Mixed, & Mastered by Matt Olson
at Ghost in My House Studio in Onalaska, WI
Engineered & Produced by Adam Ptacek & Michelle Lynn
at MLM Studio in La Crescent, MN

Michelle Lynn Video Archive

2008-03-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

Click the gray arrows to browse my video collection!

Clayton County Register by Joleen Jansen

2006-07-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

"Michelle Lynn; an accomplished songwriter, musician at age 20"

by Joleen Jansen

When compared to locations with towns like Nashville, Austin, Chicago and even Madison, Northeast Iowa is probably not number one on the list of live music appreciators looking for an area rich in talent and performing venues. However, as of late, Northeast Iowa music enthusiasts might be pleasantly surprised to discover a sort of untapped music underground is building in our region which is as inspiring as our beautiful locale.

Thanks to the entertainment venues listed on this page, who not only support pages like ON STAGE, the Clayton County Register's new entertainment review series, but more importantly provide venues for area artists to perform. Northeast Iowa is not nearly as devoid of live music listening opportunities, as one would think at first glance or should I say first listen. Over the next six months look forward to reading about the gifted performers that dwell and perform in Northeast Iowa.

This Month's Featured artist: Michelle Lynn

A 2004 MFL-MarMac graduate and a 2006 graduate of NICC, Michelle Lynn, at age 20, is writing and performing songs with wisdom beyond her years. After listening to her performances one would think songwriting and the guitar have been her lifelong passions. Her voice comes out confident and reassured, her songs possess tightly woven lyrics and her guitar playing ability is inspiring and mature.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Tapestry Magazine by Clay Riness

2006-02-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

"Iowa's Emerging Butterfly of Song"

by Clay Riness

Rural Iowa can be proud of many things. Corn and dairy production, good old-fashioned values, music. Well, to be fair, I suppose every state can be proud of its own home grown music, but that's another show. The great state of Iowa, which is the back drop for this essay, has a new member in its musical family, singer / songwriter Michelle Lynn. Born and raised the youngest of three on a farm near Monona, Iowa, she looks every bit the heartland farm girl, fresh-faced and beautiful, with long, dark Irish curls and a smile that could melt down the entire football team at Mar-Mac High School, and probably did. But she couldn't have been too typical a kid, because there is very little child in her writing.

Michelle's story is a rather remarkable one and it begins with the fact that she is just nineteen years of age and has only been playing guitar for a couple of years. Yet, she has created a debut CD entitled Jump Roping In Chains which gives us a serious look into who she is. It is a fearless collection of songs that strips away any pretension and hangs her deepest feelings out like laundry for the world to see. The album is quite sparsely produced, which seems appropriate for such personal writing, and helps listeners to appreciate the lyrical weight of the songs.

She confesses that she has always loved to write, a good thing if one is to become a songwriter. And, that she has always loved performing. It makes sense then, that she would connect the dots and begin performing her original songs for the public. She does so in smaller area venues such as The Acoustic Café in Winona, MN and McGregor Coffee Roasters in McGregor, among others.

Her singing style is folksy but contemporary, rather like Ani DiFranco in some respects. But what really makes the Michelle Lynn story worth noting is the interesting style in her writing. She claims some of the best influences in music...Dylan, Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Bob Marley. Yet, her songs are like none of these stellar word smiths. Thoreau once wrote: "If man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears." Michelle has taken in the messages from her favorite artists, but rather than copy them, has stepped to the music which she hears. Henry would be proud. She is an inward thinker with a knack for odd structure. Often her words come and go quickly, as fleeting as the thoughts she confesses.

READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW HERE

The Monona Outlook by Sara Turner

2005-12-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

"Jump Roping in Chains" Like Making the Best of Things"

by Sara Turner

The first time you hear her voice in song, the air is filled with a strong, rich, folky sound accompanied only by an acoustic guitar

It sounds as though she's been playing the guitar and signing for a number of years, but in reality, 19-year old Michelle Cahoon --who calls herself Michelle Lynn when performing -- started playing the guitar only two years ago.

"It's actually a really strange thing,"...

http://tinyurl.com/yjangvk

Jump Roping in Chains

2005-11-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

Track Listing (LYRICS):

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/take-a-guess">Take a Guess by Michelle Lynn</a> 1. Take a Guess

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/half-of-it">Half of It by Michelle Lynn</a> 2. Half of It

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/cupids-eye-patch">Cupid's Eye Patch by Michelle Lynn</a> 3. Cupid's Eyepatch

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/two-and-two">Two and Two by Michelle Lynn</a> 4. Two and Two

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/big-blue-ball">Big Blue Ball by Michelle Lynn</a> 5. Big Blue Ball

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/watch-your-head">Watch Your Head by Michelle Lynn</a> 6. Watch Your Head

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/self-proclaimed-self-reliance">Self-Proclaimed Self Reliance by Michelle Lynn</a> 7. Self-Procliamed Expert

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/as-good-as-mine">As Good As Mine by Michelle Lynn</a> 8. As Good As Mine

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/self-inflicted-deafness">Self-Inflicted Deafness by Michelle Lynn</a> 9. Self-Inflicted Deafness

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/blank">Blank by Michelle Lynn</a> 10. Blank

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/not-big-words-just-a-lot-of-words">Not Big Words (Just A Lot of Words) by Michelle Lynn</a> 11. Not Big Words (Just a Lot of Words)

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/ticket-to-heaven">Ticket to Heaven by Michelle Lynn</a> 12. Ticket to Heaven

<a href="http://michellelynn.bandcamp.com/track/my-own-worst-critic">My Own Worst Critic by Michelle Lynn</a> 13. My Own Worst Critic

"Iowa's Emerging Butterfly of Song" by Clay Riness, Tapestry Magazine, Feb. '06

Michelle's story is a rather remarkable one and it begins with the fact that she is just nineteen years of age and has only been playing guitar for a couple of years. Yet, she has created a debut CD entitled Jump Roping In Chains which gives us a serious look into who she is. It is a fearless collection of songs that strips away any pretension and hangs her deepest feelings out like laundry for the world to see. The album is quite sparsely produced, which seems appropriate for such personal writing, and helps listeners to appreciate the lyrical weight of the songs.

Her singing style is folksy but contemporary, rather like Ani DiFranco in some respects. But what really makes the Michelle Lynn story worth noting is the interesting style in her writing. She claims some of the best influences in music...Dylan, Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Bob Marley. Yet, her songs are like none of these stellar word smiths. Thoreau once wrote: "If man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears."

Michelle has taken in the messages from her favorite artists, but rather than copy them, has stepped to the music which she hears. Henry would be proud. She is an inward thinker with a knack for odd structure. Often her words come and go quickly, as fleeting as the thoughts she confesses.

For a writer of nineteen with so little life experience, her lyrics contain weighty statements. One won't find songs of puppy love or catchy pop rewrites rolling off the pen of Michelle Lynn. She writes without fear about whatever motivates her. Some of her songs almost have a James Joyce, stream of consciousness quality. Others are quite profound and to the point.

Engineered & Mixed by Harold Pederson
at Studio of Dreams in Mabel, MN
Mastered by Justin LeBreck
at Waysound Studio in Cary, IL

"Pre-Echoes for the Post Modern" Photo Album

2005-10-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Hospital Radio Lyrics

2005-10-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

Track Listing:

1. Old Soul Syndrome
2. Wishing You Well

3. Mother Earth's Abortion

4. American Experiment

5. Second Generation Bum

6. My Captain's Bed

7. Damaged Goods

8. Taste of Hunger

9. Neurosis Put to Sound

10. Born Fully Grown

11. Monkey

12. When the Raven Sings

13. Ash

Old Soul Syndrome

out of nowhere it seems like i’ve been here
bound by the years thrown around by these fears
if children only speak what they hear
hand over their eyes hand over their ears
hand over fist my hands were tied
now if you take me take me by surprise

take my soul 
I never said its mine
I won’t need it back until the day I die

is there something I should’ve known about
but never bothered to find out
now you doubt me for my doubts
once you stooped low enough to help me out
as what I thought was a cycle was really just a spiral
I went above and beyond my own sinking level

I suffered gladly through my greatest hours of need
I put myself last to see how far it’d get me
down every road of recovery down every lane of memory
the only one who looked both ways before crossing me
had a PhD in divinity and a knowledge of past life therapy
saying don’t worry about me I only steal things that are free
I only steal things that are free

take my soul

I never said its mine

I won’t need it back until the day I die

battling symptoms of old soul syndrome
battling symptoms of old soul syndrome

like the farmer who tills the earth but later lies beneath
with his lady in waiting  now bathing his feet
they seek salvation in a pale Galilean
as interstates and bridges crumble around them
hung up on their cross health care denied
found tarred and feathered they still called it suicide

take my soul 
I never said its mine
I won’t need it back until the day I die

in the future of memory we’ll see into the past
close to some garden where they say history began
I’ll write the last words ever written
if you find the first words ever penned

take my soul
I never said it’s mine
I won’t need it back
until the day I’m alive

Wishing You Well

enter bone chilling cold
too few years to feel this old
hours fade fast into years
no clock is running slow here
exit temperature running low
with it a heart beats faint and slow

no one here is able to tell
how it is you did this to yourself
help wishing you well

get up if you need a different view
what have you been reduced to
cardiac arrest at 13
tube up your nose alive because of a machine
you’re a machine
counting tiles on the floor
washing until you can’t wash anymore

you’re young of all the places to go
you’re on the top floor of another psyche ward nursing home
away from home with seizures and shaking fainting spells
you’re not living proof you’re living hell

help me help myself

they locked you away
as the hospital radio played

Mother Earth’s Abortion

when are you going to walk on water
when are you going to walk on air
when are you going to see you only need the same as anyone here
or has self-sacrifice and the postmodern man 
taught you how to live in unlivable situations

with a view straight from the birds eye
under an empty sky
I've been trying to enter your atmosphere through the eyes of mine
where I’ve been living in darkness both day and night
now all I can hope for is the sun in my eyes
as I wait for and pray for this fear of death to die

with a view straight from the birds eye

under an empty sky

it wouldn’t be the first time

it shouldn’t happen now and again

get her where you want her by leaving her where she stands
time is using us up

do you get the notion my friend

we’ve been bearing witness to mother earth’s abortion

she brings you water but no solution for your needs

when the pollution in your veins becomes the words you breath
still you’ve got your strip mine I’ve got my diamond pipe 
in the land of living but in the land of the dead tonight
there is a view straight from the bird's eye

everyone enters a race to find their place
down here on an earth so lost in space
everyone here seems to be going somewhere
nobody knows what to do
when and if they get there
when and if they get theirs

American Experiment

you talked about peace having a fighting chance
while my brother’s blood line was drawn in the sand
you said all could be forgotten as easily as we forget
but not when you travel the world with your hands folded
in a fist

a young man on the front line 
for the old man’s bottom line
same old story in a different time
he says I haven’t thought for myself for so long
now they have to do it for me but they do it all wrong
as the time we’re living on might as well be borrowed
if leaders only go where the people follow
we think things are better now but it’s not legit
they just got us a little to used to it

say who can say if that is what the forefathers meant
when they called this grand land an American experiment
they pass off paranoia for awareness at a cost
when you don’t know why you fight have you already lost
dividing a wide world into safe zones
where fools on both sides stand as fools alone

say who can say if that is what the forefathers meant
when they called this grand land an American experiment
you’re so young you’re so free
can you stay that way the way you’re going

what are you looking forward to
are you looking at all
where you once suffered from crime 
now you suffer from your laws
as kids try to find what this land is built on
they don’t say god-like guns and church bells melted into cannons

not a drop causing the flood feels guilty
all the tables turned here will simply sit empty
as you try to fill a space everybody else sees
don’t become a part of the manufactured dream

sold to the highest bidder

Second Generation Bum

before you ask what I’m doing here tonight
whatever you’re thinking you’re probably right
before you ask who it is I’m trying to impress
your best guess is if they exist they left
sometimes it isn’t much
every time it’s all I’ve got
I guess you’ll see me dead before you see me stop
you asked my life story 
it was pretty long
so you talked half way through it
and told me what I’m doing wrong
but you’re the one who woke up on your lawn
locked out of your own house
can you trust the words coming out of your own mouth
as you wander off in a trance
try to jump the outside fence
but make friends with the cement
because around your ankles are your pants
so many rise to meet you
I can’t sit up straight 
so many rise to greet you
and I don’t know what to say
sometimes it isn’t much

every time it’s all I’ve got

I guess you’ll see me dead before you see me stop

I’d rather be a second generation bum
than sing as a slave on a modern plantation
just give me one more shot man
just give me one more chance
melodies move like that pinball machine
competing with the bar TV screen
I’m not sure why I fear footsteps behind me
carrying my equipment around back alleys

My Captain’s Bed

for so long I was blown around on my own
thrown to the open road that always felt so closed
always felt like I was never there
the world was a war of nerves
and I was too dead to care

but you caught me at the height of my fallen state
you told me not to drown but rather mount the waves
through the highs and lows that reshaped me
to ride the tide now on many an ancient sea
still I find no rest captive in my captain’s bed
when the options are endless

all I say can be betrayed by a kiss
leaving me red as the wine that stains my lips
when I think it’s enough it doesn’t add up to much
such is the rush from just a half full cup
as I soak up your touch like the salt of the earth
say they were born of the stars or some cosmic burst
on the birth of each evening inviting me 
to lose myself to you and find myself free

when I can’t speak will you move my lips for me
or if your ship comes in will you send me out to sea
when you couldn’t speak I moved your lips for you
I followed your lead 
so I can predict your every move

we’re both driven but in different directions
if you substitute attention for affection
stare my vulnerability in the eye
you know until its strength by your side I’d lie
free in one sense to be bound in another
as we drop everything and pull ourselves together
there’s no cause to pause and search through all natures laws
if you lay down love as the only god

Damaged Goods

gentlemen she says please stay seated
I don’t stay in one place too long
with raging desire but no desire to feed it
she doesn’t need anyone
isolation is her occupation
she’d love to let love in
but no one likes to go where others have been
with enough regret she could bury a man
she showed up on his doorstep 
like an animal beat to death
he took her in and nursed her back to health
but he can’t keep her let alone keep her well
she doesn’t take it out on anybody

she takes it out on her own body

she believes pain cures pain

if damaged goods can never be good again

now she’s got herself a good man
she doesn’t know what to do with him
he’s not afraid of the outcome
as much as he’s afraid of her intentions
no satisfaction no release
even in security she screams
don’t let me take me away
reasons to go
give me reasons to stay

Taste of Hunger

if you’re going to use me at least use me up
I don’t want what’s left of me when you’re done
I’m not sure where need comes from
but it never comes alone and it comes in more ways than one

I have to get myself something no one can take away from me
I want nothing more than anything to want nothing more than anything
though I’d wish to have no wish
born in want we all seek this find life’s grandest secret
there might be none to begin with

I play because I can’t quit
I’m not sure how much longer
I’ll fight myself because I think I always win
it just gives me the taste of hunger

I can’t demand anything where there is nothing to get
I find it kind of hard to hide something that isn’t
I used to live in this script but now my part no longer fits
I can’t explain one part of this without confusing all of it
my senses deceive me through manic panicked frantic frenzies
emptiness puts me at ease but not when you know I have it in me

if I back out now I’m not sure what I’m back into
I’m bitter when I lose If it’s because someone else wrote my rules
as I’m one step too far behind but we didn’t start at the same starting line
you can have it all alright just not all at the same time
as what’s been eating me alive is the thought that I could survive
without the bread of life and all you have offer
when are you going to fill me in

will I belong to everything when nothing belongs to me

or will I belong to everything if I give myself to everything

anything I could become would be a reminder of who I was

and who wants to be just a sacrificial victim

if I don’t throw myself at your feet will you bend me low to my knees

until I’m in over my head over my dead body over my dead body

I play because I can’t quit

I’m not sure how much longer

I fight myself I don't think I always win

it just gives me the taste of hunger

If it’s going to use me I hope it uses me up
I don’t want what’s left of me when it’s done

Neurosis Put to Sound

do you write down everything except for what you’re thinking
have you seen and thought things that would have left you better off blind
I can’t go anywhere where I’m not there
I’m filing a complaint Dr. See you failed to check my eyes
I can’t regain my innocence so I’m pleading ignorance
as I put the pain on trial and put reason to the rhymes

around here if you sing words like a death wish
no one should ever know
how it won’t let up until you let out it won’t let you go

you won’t get rid of me not that easily
like a true napoleon in exile makes armies of the enemy
I see you attack first to avoid being hurt
but pre-emptive rituals and instinct don’t make a victory

how long have I been gone
half right equals half wrong
if the world is just one giant grave 
prepare to be buried by your adversary

if they sing words like a death wish

no one should ever know

how it won’t let up until they let out it won’t let them go

if I could change one thing about myself
I might be somebody else
but it might be worth something someday for me to keep myself around
neurosis put to sound 
as I write down everything except for what I’m thinking

Born Fully Grown

say when you’ve had enough
I’ve taken the long way to every short cut
I’m catching on or maybe just catching up
more and more down every road I go

I’m lead a little further from what I first called home

between what’s done for love and what’s done for show

there’s no room to react

feeling born fully grown

we rewind our situations and pretend we’re not affected

to learn to expect nothing is the gift of the neglected

I said sorry so many times like I was apologizing for being alive

we sit in circles and contemplate our work loads

we talk in circles about where we should go

I walked with support maybe in my shoes

as the rock I was living under was suddenly forced to move

more and more down every road I go
I’m lead a little further from what I first called home
between what’s done for love and what’s done for show
there’s no room to react
feeling born fully grown
I never thought this would be the cost of living

it’s gotten to that point if there’s a point worth making

Monkey

why didn’t I come to you sooner said Eve
I only wish to know what's going on
am I getting here at the same time as you are Adam
man where did you come from

here we’re trapped in a maze not in a cage
making our way down this garden path
let us stop and play our shadows in the shade say
what are you getting out of life other than a laugh
what am I getting out of life other than a laugh
what have we left to show
other than we’re never greater than what we do not know

on a path as broad as the destruction it leads to
was this something put on us or something we slipped into
as the winds of change came they stripped us bare
we had to adapt quick if Eden’s gates don’t care

staring out on this scene of earthly existence
I must admit a part of me is going to miss this
but you’ll go on without me just like you went on before me
god knows you’re just the world to me

we’re only human
we’re under the conditions
there are over 6 billion worlds now and they’re all inside of this one
go on beat your chest leave an impression on me
come the night we’re all naked as a monkey
what have we left to show
other than we’re never greater than what we do not know

When the Raven Sings

what else can you whisper in my aching ear
as you say no trick was played to get me here
dangle your golden cage
in an attempt to tempt my fate
I lust for something new to trust
at the end of the day
most of my learning takes place
after midnight now as I go off and lose my voice
at least that’s how it sounds

now that you know where you’re going
can you see you’re getting to me
I’ll find you in everything
especially when the raven sings

as far as I can see I’m on my way down
won’t you keep my head in the clouds but keep
my ear to the ground I’ve been searching for signs
I can’t hear nor see through propaganda so thick
it’s like a Hitler symphony
where everybody stands with their mirror in hand
they only want to understand you
after you end up like them

now that you know where you’re going

can you see you’re getting to me
I’ll find you in everything

especially when the raven sings

I have no explanation for the ways I’ve felt
when I can’t turn to anyone else
I turn on myself
now your eyes can see what my tongue can’t tell
I can’t show you what I want
I can’t show you to yourself

hush little baby don’t say a word
mamma’s going to buy you a mocking bird
and if that mocking bird 
if she can’t sing
the raven’s going to take you under it’s broken wing
until you’re hearing melodies in air raid sirens
it’s the song of sadness that gets stuck in our heads now

Ash

you were too young to know
you were too young to go
now a grave cold stone 
shows the date you were baptized
in fire and terrified
baptized in fire
I would have taken your place
but I was half a world away
I keep reliving that day 
like thinking I don’t want to be in this especially if it crashes
in a plane over Panama my world went to ashes
I have traveled since then
Niagara Falls to the Grand Canyon 
I haven’t found a thing
I haven’t found you
I stood on that canyon’s edge
and I stared straight ahead
like I knew it was coming
and I didn’t care when it hit me
you can scream until your last breath
you can run until there is nothing of you left
but you can’t cry tears good enough for death
would you mind if I don’t mind
you say try to leave it all behind

Jump Roping in Chains Lyrics

2005-10-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Track Listing :

1. Take a Guess

2. Half of It

3. Cupid’s Eye Patch

4. Two and Two

5. Big Blue Ball

6. Watch Your Head

7. Self-Proclaimed Self Reliance

8. As Good as Mine

9. Self-Inflicted Deafness

10. Blank

11. Not Big Words
(Just a Lot of Words)

12. Ticket into Heaven

13. My Worst Critic

Take A Guess

what have we here
get a handle on yourself
can’t shut it up forever
 
you pulled me aside and said
stop running from yesterdays lies
I know you know you’ve been bottled up air tight

blue in the face and bled white

it’s time you spelled it out right

do you believe beyond the benefit of the doubt

benefit of the what

yes double-guess the obvious

if that's what you’re asking

we’ll see what we can do

our minds are made up
our minds are made up of whatever it takes
until the choices are making us
the choices are making us my friend

do you believe in justice and fairness
shorter end of the stick
all the better to beat the dead horse with
how is your appetite
face duct-taped at the head of the buffet

how do you sleep at night
still using a nightlight
how many fingers am I holding up
if that’s what you’re asking
we’ll see what we can do

our minds are made up
our minds are made up of whatever it takes
until the choices are making us
the choices are making us my friend

how have things been going at home
the deed has been redone
they say it’s time brother john bought the farm
kid I’m not much for your psycho babbling
how is your concentration
there is something on the wall
I don’t know who wrote this
next one’s protocol
if you disappeared tomorrow
would anyone notice you’re gone

you say jump I say how far is the fall
I’ve been wondering if I’ve been wandering too far
how did I get here who’ll get me out alive

all the time I spent wishing I could fly
I could’ve built a rocket and sling shot it to the sky
but I lied cried brain fried landed by your side
kid you’ve got quite the imagination
do people clap when you survive a normal conversation
take a guess

Half of It
 
tear this apart
scratching around in the dark
you’ll find a ruptured heart
with punctured skin and bones
through five windows

I’ve been peering in

throughout your soul

hear touch taste smell see all you want

never can be gathered

every bit of what’s been scattered here

through a crystal clear view

you still have your work cut out for you

something seems to be missing

that’s half of it
mix my questions with your questions
do you plan to fill me in
you’re puzzling to my peace of mind

with your excuses piled up this high

honestly why try to plot it any thicker

we’re treading through thick and thin

trying to even out these burdens

are you certain you heard silent screaming

help me help me out

you can’t complete me

but you can still reach me now

I’m still falling

spill it egghead

you know full well

breaking out of your shell

all the kings horses and all the kings men

couldn’t put humpty together again

so they talk talk more talk

as off the wall another one falls

here lies my head in your hands

something seems to be missing

that’s half of it
mix my questions with your questions
do you plan to fill me in
but you don't answer

when you don’t answer

why

Cupid's Eye Patch

don’t say you didn’t see it coming

I don’t understand the first thing

about the way you’re put together

giving mind body and soul

not necessarily in that order

as we recklessly run
fly by night one on one
to what we should be wise enough

to run away from

I was wondering kind of sort of a little bit

could you possibly
get out of me what I want

down slide or upswing

heads cocked to the side eyes wide and grinning

taking delight in the nagging possibilities

I’m really just a prisoner jump roping in my chains

trying to beat you hands down at social charades

innocent enough behind all these words

sometimes I think you hope

I get what you deserve

was this a coincidence

can we pass it off as an accident

since when has the aim been

to get the hit or miss waiting to happen

when it’s not that I block your vision

or you block mine

tell me why can’t we see

we’re blind

should I say sorry I opened my mouth

nothing good came out of it

out of touch tied in tongue standing now

who means to make it hard if it’s not where it counts

are you trying to confuse me with your little rules about

how what guard goes up in time must come down

whether you talk your way out

or you talk your way through

the facts get bigger as they get closer

like most things do

was this a coincidence

can we pass it off as an accident
since when has the aim been
to get the hit or miss waiting to happen
when it’s not that I block your vision
or you block mine
tell me why can’t we see
we’re blind

cupid’s got an eye patch

don’t say you didn’t see it

Two and Two

for more on confusion go to my head
see other side and roll me over again
this game of life came full loaded with dice
does that mean I can drop out at anytime
say alright you win confirm my suspicion
I’m never right

one two can you tie your shoes
three four run back for more
take it for what it is
or tell me what we came here for

true befriends false when whichever way it falls
there is a choice representing no choice at all
when honesty calls hand it over
if it doesn’t kill me it will make me wonder
I’ve been beaten common senseless
with my eyes so far back in my head
there was room for nothing else to sink in

intellectualize this
someday you're going to die
does that make any sense
well good neither does your life
and I should go play outside

for more on left unsaid get to the bottom
see other side and roll it over again
off in the distance tires are spinning
can you see some wound tight rocket scientist
about to chase a butterfly off a cliff

sit and think about this
someday you're going to die
does that make any sense
well good neither do I
and I should go play outside

somewhere there’s a point
to know this might be enough
I put two and two together
I still live only once

one two can you tie your shoes
three four run back for more
take it for what it is

or tell me what we came here for
so caught up in everything
but only truly caught between
who we are and who we are becoming
who we are who are we to say
when we take it only so far
get our name on it and run away

Big Blue Ball

what gets it rolling

were you sitting around last night
watching solutions circle the world
hundreds at a time
to get them into our minds
would you have to whip out a chisel

I want to know what you know
and what you think of it
potential blood sucker born every second
life spent hording cash just to count it
then congratulations you win the biggest coffin

with your eyes kept on the threat
something else will smack you upside the head
I want to have what you have
and what you’ll have with it
I can’t put things up high enough can I kid
you better learn to do what you’re told
or I’ll flash your life in front of your eyes
so many times it’ll get old

someday you’re going to wake up dead
what are you going to believe in then
some say believe in yourself
maybe I should ask and what else

watch the big blue ball roll around again
baby I want to show you the world
but not some of the ideas on it

nobody can dig a pit that deep
unless they’re standing in it first
nobody should listen that close
yet avert from everything they’ve heard
nobody’s rock and hard place holds them together
sometimes the blood on my hands
might as well have been my own forever

watch the big blue ball roll around again
baby I want to show you the world
but not some of what you’re born into

Watch Your Head

sometimes we make it worse than it is
half the time that is our problem

stumbling through this mental block called my head
no true way around it no two ways about it
where is the do it yourself kit
can I rewire this

how I feel for you
he says so much I feel for you
can you feel for me
I don’t want to hide to seek but retreat
when it hits from all sides
left to the middle I seem
is it too late to see that I should free myself from myself

there's always something that should’ve been said
who can say it now if it mattered then
don’t cripple yourself
and think the truth stands on it’s head

can I feel for you
he says so much I feel for you
can you feel for me
I don’t want to relapse collapse and fall back
don’t you dare quit the world
just to rid yourself of those selfish ways
if still to a beast you slave
at least free yourself from yourself

what you’re running from eventually haunts you
hunts you down relentlessly taunts you
and when you’ve got nothing to lose
you better watch your head

I’ll admit I find it funny when you think you’ve broken me
to find me back standing right where I said I would be
in the midst of this frantic firing
you’re leading me around
I see you set me up for that need to knock me down

I’m through thinking I could ever breathe for you
and I won’t leave it up to you to teach me
to take care of myself

Self-Proclaimed Self Reliance
 
I’m almost pretty sure you want to tell me everything
but you want me to know nothing
saying take my word who knows where
and tell me you heard it from me when it gets there
 
I’m almost pretty sure we don’t know what we’re doing
but that has never stopped us from trying anything else
I’ll take your word who knows where
if you swear to say a prayer for the future
when we get there when we get there
we’ll be aware
why we’re here

why would you worry
what’s worth the worry
not this time and not this time
why would you hurry
why would you hurry up
just to wait and watch it pass you by
 
early this morning and late last night
I was talking to myself again and looking for advice
oh what to do how about this
scratch your head and make a sound effect
I think you think we think

your wrong

stack it up add it up
counting on a helping hand and holding your own
would you take your own word
or would you rather take it to your grave
rest-assured everything is the only thing worth chasing
as you pack it up to move it out handle with care
look at the time there goes your ride
why would you worry

what’s worth the worry
not this time and not this time
why would you hurry
why would you hurry up
just to wait and watch it pass you by

look at the ditto I found
it goes faster up as it comes around
should I go mark it down as another discount
we don’t know what we’re buying
we don’t know what we’ve bought
the only thing getting cheaper in this life is the talk
 
How may I help you
Come again

As Good As Mine

aw look at you
tell me what your looking at
haven't you ever seen the weight of the world
strapped on one man's back 
yes I'm Levi's son

I'm very much alive
been trying to climb this mountain 
since the day that my daddy died

aw look at you
tell me what your looking at
haven't you ever seen a desperate act
bring somebody back
I guess I'm not the only one
deathbed note in my pocket
I'm not supposed to read it until I reach
the top of this mountain
nevermind what I will go through
nevermind I'll gladly do it for you
nevermind I fear what I'll find
I'm going to get it all
as good as mine

this might be a mission
to justify my existence
I made my decision clear out
keep your distance
yes I've been thinking
I should settle these old scores 
but I've been finding that there's more
there is more to this
there is always more to...
this must be the top
can I get any higher
this must be the top
my air has gotten thinner
this must be the top
all I've got is a chill
greed in me snowballs
and can't be rolled back up its hill
nevermind I can't feel my hands
nevermind I'll take it as far as I can stand
nevermind I question stars aligned
I'm going to get it all
as good as mine

aw look at you
tell me what your looking at
Haven't you ever seen somebody ask
about the drawbacks
scale the heights to spin around
hands thrown in the air
watch out when the clouds come down
somebody shout get down from there
nevermind I can't see a thing
nevermind maybe there is nothing to see
nevermind I forgot what I came to find
did I ever get it all
as good as mine

sometimes I'd give anything
maybe I'd give everything
if I could get myself something worth keeping
pull out daddy's note
see what it says
someday your day may come
but don't trade your life in for it

Self-Inflicted Deafness
 
caught here in your revolving door
would you like to tell me what I’m here for
past life in pictures line the wall
it’s dead in here except voices down the hall
 
is there a place for me
to press my face against the glass
if not could you please pass the time
my life seems to be for
writing be back soon on the devil's door
falling flat on my face
trying to face up to false beliefs
 
I’d love to tell you everything
I’d love to tell you everything
my version of the truth
as plain as I think it
sometimes it’s only what you make of it

my head has hit this wall too many times
I’m thinking straight but seeing cross-eyed
and I guess that makes a change
we stopped at nothing to change
 
sanity has become a madness all it’s own
everybody is trying it

pull out the cash you can buy it
but pity for a dime will burn a hole in your pocket
here we’re in the same boat
with some silly trying to rock it
you better buy me a big box
and put it beneath a bridge
does my diagnoses read self-inflicted deafness
are you going to put your foot down
or are you going to kick my
well nobody knows
but maybe if I listen real close

Blank

wouldn’t you like to believe
everything happens for a reason 
should I shake this dust off my feet
but keep the reasons to believe
drifting might settle me down
 
so it comes and goes on back to this
can’t forget the time has arrived to move on      

wouldn’t we like to believe
everything happens for a reason
striking with lightning
what if it doesn’t
 
through our skewed views we see
as memory is but a game

rigged by a child
who wants nothing but to play
and if it made sense yesterday
say lets rearrange it
 
so it comes and goes on back to this
can’t forget the time has arrived to move on
 
hold on to each moment 
but never long enough to go down with it 
and don’t wish to reach too far 
then reach right past what is worth reaching for
the future fills it’s own time
before the sands spill no more
see what needn’t be left behind
to fill the blanks in everyday life

Not Big Words (Just A Lot of Words)
 
here is a penny for your thoughts
here is a dime for what your not
as you die for what you want
can you live with what you’ve got
 
not big words just a lot of words
who really knows what they’ve heard
don’t feel the need to explain yourself to me
watching the news stay the same over time
 
I view myself as a spectator in life
my biggest fear is becoming someone else’s parade animal
as I strut through a highly edited version of myself screaming

not big words just a lot of words

who really knows what they’ve heard
don’t feel the need to explain yourself to me
watching the news stay the same over time

you say nothing anywhere makes any sense
or so it seems
I don’t think you wish to know me
I is the most frequently used word in the dictionary
facts like that tend to scare me
 
I have never toured the country
If I did my family would think
it was because I was a truck driver

everyday I drive by where my brother works
because that is where my father works
past where my other brother works
just to get to where my mother works
 
with one check and no cash
with some gas light flashing on my dash
they say here is a penny for your thoughts
and here is a dime for what your not

Ticket into Heaven
 
she said should I pack my bags
and try to get away again
it didn’t work when I was twelve
but I’ve got more to run away from now
 
he said you haven’t got a prayer
and if you did I bet nobody would listen
she said you can’t control me
now do you know what it feels like to be god
 
are you going to get yourself the ticket into heaven
and sit around and flaunt it
even if you didn’t buy it
or are you going to get yourself a little piece of heaven
and grow it down on this earth
before you have to sell it
 
between you me and four walls
these walls are pretty thin
do you think you should be telling me this
when they think your safe and soundly sleeping
 
have you been through hell and back
what’s your take on the view
is that disease going to die
an hour after you do

are you going to get yourself the ticket into heaven
and sit around and flaunt it
even if you didn’t buy it
or are you going to get yourself a little piece of heaven
and grow it down on this earth
before you have to sell it

she called on her demons
to deal with her problems
then like hypocrites they crawled
through the hospital chapel
 
these memories echo in my brain
but never long enough to scare me into reasoning
when are you coming home
don’t leave me here alone
I don’t know you anymore
but it’s not like I did before
 
are you sleeping
brother john you can not take this lying down
morning bells are ringing

My Worst Critic
 
could you spare a little faith
could you spare a little confidence
could I be you for one day
then maybe I’d get through this
sometimes I do believe you don’t want to hear it
but hell look at me I’m the one living it
 
throw this back when you are finished
don’t worry about breaking me
don’t worry about breaking this
leave it up to me I’ll take care of it
I can guarantee I’m my worst critic
 
can I take my life now
and put it to application
as I’m reading all your books
and pretending I understand them
oh well now you know
maybe it goes to show
you cannot read someone else
until you can read yourself well
I suppose if there’s anything I should learn from life
it’s once upon a time lost inside a dream
the path split both ways
and I had to wake up as me
 
with a crazy thought in my head
should I lock it up and keep it
or would you like me to decode this
through the efforts of well said
well said too many times
will leave you in your head
as you’re going out of your mind
  
correct me if I’m wrong
it's like being two different people
and right now they happen to be getting along
if I could I would shut one off
can’t push the button for you
  
it’s just my life laying on your line
you can take it and you can rate it
better throw it back when you’re finished
don’t worry about breaking me
I tried to get a break from this
this voice inside that keeps getting louder
it says don’t you wish you could get paid
for listening by the hour to me

"Jump Roping in Chains" & "Hospital Radio" Photos

2005-10-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Contact

2004-10-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

Booking & General Inquiries:
MICHELLE LYNN
mlynnca@gmail.com
512-689-1783

Promotional Inquiries:
ADAM M. WILTGEN, Driftless Music
mailto:%20adam@driftlessmusic.com

Sign-up for My Mailing List * required
Email *: