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Tumes, Michelle
Encounters with angels, sacred chants, quiet prayers for peace and mercy - these are just a few of the things Australian beauty Michelle Tumes draws inspiration from on her new album on Sparrow Records, "Center of My Universe." An enchanting artist who grew up surrounded by the beauty and awe of her coastal home in Adelaide, Australia, Michelle has always had a great appreciation for the wonder of the world around her. And whether she's admiring the beauty of an Orthodox church in reverent silence, or humming a happy tune while helping bathe a friend's child at home, Michelle is totally present and satisfied in the moment, and often finds her best material to share from such moments.
For Michelle, a love for ethereal sounds reminiscent of ancient times has always been a dominant force in her music, and her second album on Sparrow reflects the respect she holds for the sounds of the past and the keys of wisdom often found there. Michelle once again visits some very personal and reflective subjects on this new project, but at the same time stretches out a bit, demonstrating why she is such a popular new voice on the musical landscape and has already enjoyed four number one hits. Always eager to share the peace she has found in her faith, Michelle challenges listeners to see things from a new perspective on this album, letting a positive light shine through on our everyday lives. Rays of hope virtually pour from every note of the new collection, which she hopes will encourage those to listen.
"I guess the theme of this record is taking what we have in this world and looking at things in a new and different light, and seeing how wonderful they are, instead of focusing on the bad," she explains. "There are bad things that happen in the world, but there is so much hope. I think we need to express that to each other as much as possible."
Living a life as a performer almost didn't come true for Michelle, who as a teen was unsure of her place in the music world. A classically trained pianist, she gave up her idea of a music career for a time and studied dentistry, until her little sister gave her $40 from a paper route to make a demo of her songs. With that vote of confidence and some interest from publishing companies, Michelle set out to pursue a career in the States. After landing cuts by artists like Jaci Velasquez and Sixpence None The Richer, Michelle signed a deal with Sparrow and eventually released her debut album, "Listen," to critical and commercial acclaim. She received an impressive nod from her peers with a Dove Award nomination in 1999 for New Artist of the Year.
Her new album, "Center of My Universe," picks up where "Listen" left off. The project was executive produced by Grant Cunningham, who was inspired by Michelle's gifts for communicating such intimate emotions through her words and music. "Michelle is the consummate artist," says Cunningham. "She has developed her gifts as a musician, singer, and songwriter into a truly unique signature. Her music is unlike anything I know. She communicates beautiful compelling things from a very deep place. She dreams this amazing music, and watching it come to life is a real privilege for those of us close to the process. David Leonard co-produced with Michelle, and was seemingly the perfect compliment to her gifts. He brought the record-making talents to the process and she brought the music - and the result is in the record."
The result is an album filled with songs that demonstrate Michelle's unique gift for noticing and writing about small miracles and wonders that surround us in everyday life. Songs like, "With The Angels," a true account of Michelle's experience with the presence of angels, and "Christe Eleison," a prayer for mercy for the human depravity that often surrounds us, are at one end of the record's spectrum, while Michelle reveals her feisty, spunkier side at the other on songs like the fun-filled "Do Ya."
"Do Ya is quiet different, and I'm sure people will be shocked by it," admits Michelle. "I wanted people to see there is a different side to me, that I don't always float around and write serene music. That song addresses the fact that looks really don't matter - it's what's on the inside. Everyone's unique, and that's a fantastic thing."
Books she read on 19th century Pilgrims and their unshakable faith inspired Michelle to pen, "Immortal" on the new record. "I was inspired by how these Pilgrims lived in prayer and worshipped all the time. I believe we 're immortal and we'll live forever, and to be reminded of that on earth makes it much more beautiful."
Always fascinated by the beauty of ancient tones and sacred sounds, Michelle also includes a chant on the new record - an unusual choice for a contemporary artist in today's market. Inspired by a visit to an Orthodox church, the Chant is an immediate link back to more spiritual days, and a way for Michelle to link in to a more quiet, spiritual place. "The music they used in that church was so sacred, and this chant was written with that in mind. It helps me to be still, and silent, and in that place I become very peaceful.'
Solitude for reflection and growth has always been important to Michelle, who spent much of her time growing up on lonely, secluded beaches contemplating her place in the world and sitting quietly just listening to the music of nature. "I've always been a reserved person - I'm more concerned with developing what's on the inside," she admits. "And ultimately, that means learning to sit quietly and listen. I would often sit where the waves rolled in upon the sand and think there. In recreating those images in my songs, I'm hoping to open a door for other people to enter into that same kind of peaceful communion with the universe. That's really my ultimate goal for my music.
For Michelle, a love for ethereal sounds reminiscent of ancient times has always been a dominant force in her music, and her second album on Sparrow reflects the respect she holds for the sounds of the past and the keys of wisdom often found there. Michelle once again visits some very personal and reflective subjects on this new project, but at the same time stretches out a bit, demonstrating why she is such a popular new voice on the musical landscape and has already enjoyed four number one hits. Always eager to share the peace she has found in her faith, Michelle challenges listeners to see things from a new perspective on this album, letting a positive light shine through on our everyday lives. Rays of hope virtually pour from every note of the new collection, which she hopes will encourage those to listen.
"I guess the theme of this record is taking what we have in this world and looking at things in a new and different light, and seeing how wonderful they are, instead of focusing on the bad," she explains. "There are bad things that happen in the world, but there is so much hope. I think we need to express that to each other as much as possible."
Living a life as a performer almost didn't come true for Michelle, who as a teen was unsure of her place in the music world. A classically trained pianist, she gave up her idea of a music career for a time and studied dentistry, until her little sister gave her $40 from a paper route to make a demo of her songs. With that vote of confidence and some interest from publishing companies, Michelle set out to pursue a career in the States. After landing cuts by artists like Jaci Velasquez and Sixpence None The Richer, Michelle signed a deal with Sparrow and eventually released her debut album, "Listen," to critical and commercial acclaim. She received an impressive nod from her peers with a Dove Award nomination in 1999 for New Artist of the Year.
Her new album, "Center of My Universe," picks up where "Listen" left off. The project was executive produced by Grant Cunningham, who was inspired by Michelle's gifts for communicating such intimate emotions through her words and music. "Michelle is the consummate artist," says Cunningham. "She has developed her gifts as a musician, singer, and songwriter into a truly unique signature. Her music is unlike anything I know. She communicates beautiful compelling things from a very deep place. She dreams this amazing music, and watching it come to life is a real privilege for those of us close to the process. David Leonard co-produced with Michelle, and was seemingly the perfect compliment to her gifts. He brought the record-making talents to the process and she brought the music - and the result is in the record."
The result is an album filled with songs that demonstrate Michelle's unique gift for noticing and writing about small miracles and wonders that surround us in everyday life. Songs like, "With The Angels," a true account of Michelle's experience with the presence of angels, and "Christe Eleison," a prayer for mercy for the human depravity that often surrounds us, are at one end of the record's spectrum, while Michelle reveals her feisty, spunkier side at the other on songs like the fun-filled "Do Ya."
"Do Ya is quiet different, and I'm sure people will be shocked by it," admits Michelle. "I wanted people to see there is a different side to me, that I don't always float around and write serene music. That song addresses the fact that looks really don't matter - it's what's on the inside. Everyone's unique, and that's a fantastic thing."
Books she read on 19th century Pilgrims and their unshakable faith inspired Michelle to pen, "Immortal" on the new record. "I was inspired by how these Pilgrims lived in prayer and worshipped all the time. I believe we 're immortal and we'll live forever, and to be reminded of that on earth makes it much more beautiful."
Always fascinated by the beauty of ancient tones and sacred sounds, Michelle also includes a chant on the new record - an unusual choice for a contemporary artist in today's market. Inspired by a visit to an Orthodox church, the Chant is an immediate link back to more spiritual days, and a way for Michelle to link in to a more quiet, spiritual place. "The music they used in that church was so sacred, and this chant was written with that in mind. It helps me to be still, and silent, and in that place I become very peaceful.'
Solitude for reflection and growth has always been important to Michelle, who spent much of her time growing up on lonely, secluded beaches contemplating her place in the world and sitting quietly just listening to the music of nature. "I've always been a reserved person - I'm more concerned with developing what's on the inside," she admits. "And ultimately, that means learning to sit quietly and listen. I would often sit where the waves rolled in upon the sand and think there. In recreating those images in my songs, I'm hoping to open a door for other people to enter into that same kind of peaceful communion with the universe. That's really my ultimate goal for my music.
Albums
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Dream
Listen
Center Of My Universe
Lost in Wonder: Voices of Worship
The Very Best of Michelle Tumes
