Michelle Lynn

With a musical voyage that's an exploration of the mind, body and spirit, Michelle Lynn goes deep and universal. Based out of Decorah, Iowa, Michelle is known for her literate, yet relatable lyrics and a steady performance schedule, which regularly brings her to every corner of the Driftless Region in the Upper Midwest. She is currently busy promoting her fifth album, Without an Outline, after playing well over 100 shows in 2011.

Michelle Lynn grew up on a century farm outside of Monona, IA, near the Effigy Mounds National Monument. She received her first guitar as a gift for her 17th birthday and immediately began writing songs. She recorded her first album after only a couple of years of taking lessons and performing locally.

NE Iowa arts monthly Tapestry Magazine described that debut album, Jump Roping in Chains, as ?A fearless collection of songs that strips away any pretension?? Her hometown newspaper noted that at the time, "Her voice comes out confident and reassured, her songs possess tightly woven lyrics and her guitar playing ability is inspiring and mature." This warm local response, coupled with her relentless performance schedule, broadened her horizons and introduced her to many new fans, supporters, and collaborators.

Her second album Hospital Radio was released in the spring of 2008 with the assistance of area musicians Adam Ptacek and Matt Olson (Rearview Mirror). This musical partnership would help drive her vision and sound forward in the future.

After spending a year on sabbatical in Austin, TX she returned with an album titled Pre-Echoes for the Postmodern (2009) and, with the support of Ptacek and Olson, was in the position to devote herself to performing and recording music full-time. A radio producer in Wisconsin proclaimed that ?Michelle models growth and insight through her music; passing on lessons of development and transformation.?

2010's Sundial Tree was written exclusively in Texas and is the first record to feature Ptacek and Olson?now dubbed ?The Bad Passengers??backing her on nearly every song. With her music and vision further developed, Inspire(d) Magazine publisher Benji Nichols declared her ?a regional favorite amongst music enthusiasts.?

Michelle has come into her own with her most recent record, Without an Outline (2012). The first to be written for, and created with, her band. She's also recently published book called Modes of Being that contains lyrics from all 65 songs from her first five albums, as well as an engaging question and answer exchange with independent artists and musicians.