Michelle Chamuel

Michelle Chamuel

Chamuel performing in 2014
Background information
Birth name Michelle Jacqueline Chamuel
Born 1986 (age 29–30)
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Genres Electronic pop, pop, electronica
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, producer
Instruments Vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar
Years active 2007–present
Labels The End, Independent
Associated acts Ella Riot, Theo Katzman, Mary Lambert, Usher
Website michellechamuel.com

Michelle Jacqueline Chamuel (born 1986) is an American singer, songwriter and producer. She was the lead singer of the band Ella Riot and the runner-up on season four of The Voice. As a producer she is known as The Reverb Junkie. She has released several albums and EPs as a solo artist and in partnership with other artists. Her latest album Face the Fire was released in February 2015. She released an EP titled I Am in November 2015.

Early life

Chamuel grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts.[1] She is the daughter of Joalie Davie and Jacques Chamuel who came to the United States from Egypt in 1960s.[2] She studied violin with her father and took piano lessons at age four. In seventh grade she started to sequence music on a synthesizer, sing and compose. She produced a full-length CD during her senior year, graduated from Wellesley High School and studied performing arts technology at the University of Michigan.[1]

Career

2007–11: Ella Riot

Ella Riot performing in 2010

In 2007 Chamuel joined the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based band Ella Riot.[3] In college she released a track titled "My Dear Disco" with band guitarist Robert Lux.[4] Initially the band was instrumental, and her addition as lead vocalist became a turning point in the band's direction.[5] The band's name was in part a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald who was an inspiration to Chamuel.[6] The band toured extensively and released two definitive works, Dancethink and Love Child.[7] In October 2011 the band went into hiatus.[8]

In a 2010 interview with AfterEllen, Chamuel spoke about being out and queer in the music industry, staying true to herself, and artists that inspired her such as Elton John and Ani DiFranco.[9] She said "I don't think of myself as 'a lesbian musician' or a 'Jewish artist.' It's not one and alone. I think of myself as a musician."[10]

2011–12: Independent work

After Ella Riot, she moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, and worked independently. She released an album titled s/he, an EP titled All the Pretty People and an EP titled EP 1 in partnership with other artists. She released remix music with original lyrics and vocal compositions and collaborated with several musicians as a featured artist. Reviews characterized her voice as velvety, polished, soulful and controlled.[11][12] As a performer she said honesty is key in live performance, "that's the goal, to be totally honest and in the moment."[8]

2013: The Voice and All I Want

Chamuel took part in the fourth season of NBC's The Voice. In the blind audition she sang Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl". Three judges turned their chairs and she chose team Usher.[13] She won the battle and knockout rounds with performances of "Titanium" and "Raise Your Glass".[14][15] In her first live performance she sang Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors".[16] Over the next four live performances she was voted into the Top 5. Her rendition of "Just Give Me a Reason" was called a killer performance by Pink's official website.[17] Her rendition of Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" received an enthusiastic approval from Swift, and Rolling Stone noted that she can tackle pretty much any genre.[18][19] The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100.[20] In the final round she sang Annie Lennox's "Why" and U2's "One" in a duet with Usher.[21] She came in second place.[13]

     Performances and results     

Chamuel released the solo album All I Want in September 2013. The album was released under her producer moniker and debuted at number 6 on the U.S. Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[22] She called it her "solo electronic project" and said her studio work as The Reverb Junkie focuses on creative sound works, whereas the work released under her own name has more of a pop focus.[23][24]

In September she spoke at a fundraiser for "Voices from Inside", an organization dedicated to empowering women.[25] In October she spoke at a TEDx gathering about the role of music in shaping one's sense of home.[26] In November she released a single titled "Go Down Singing", a song about the potential in each person to shine.[27]

2014–present: Face the Fire

In January 2014 Chamuel and producer Arjun Singh released an EP titled The Drift. The EP features hip hop artist Isaac Castor.[28] She released a song on Valentine's Day titled "Made For Me" and released an EP titled EP 2 in April 2014. This was her second EP in partnership with producer David Gonzalez.[29][30] In 2014 she performed several shows in the U.S. and Ireland, including a seventeen city U.S. tour.[31]

External video
Paste Magazine –
Chamuel on "Golden" and songwriting.

Chamuel released Face the Fire in February 2015 – the first album under her own name.[32] She said as a teenager she was obsessed with pop hits on Top 40 radio and in this album she wanted to produce well-crafted pop music.[33] She wrote the songs with her former bandmates Theo Katzman and Tyler Duncan.[34] The album debuted at number 21 on the U.S. Independent Albums chart.[35] In March she performed an acoustic version of "Golden" on VH1's Morning Buzz show.[36] Chamuel released an EP titled I Am in November 2015 under The Reverb Junkie moniker.[37]

Tours

Discography

Released as: The Reverb Junkie–1, Michelle Chamuel–2, s/he–3.

Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
  • "While You're Young" (2010) 1
  • "Yesterdays" (2011) 1
  • "Castles" (2011) 1
  • "Growing Away From You" (2011) 1
  • "Deeds" (2011) 1
  • "U and I" (2012) 3
  • "Go Down Singing" (2013) 2

Remixes
Title (selected works) Original artist Original title Ref.
"Good to Wait It Out" Imogen Heap Wait It Out [39]
"Part of the Plan" Hans Zimmer, Rodrigo y Gabriela Angelica [40]
"All I Think of is Love" OT Madeon Shuriken [39]
"Prayer for Tears" The Olllam Prayer for Tears [41]
"Cry! Baby! Cry!" Bibio Cry! Baby! [40]
"Can't Stop This Feeling" Adele Turning Tables [40]
OT – denotes track by original artist, lyrics and vocals by Chamuel
Collaborations
Title (selected works) Collaborating artist Collaboration title / album Ref.
"Will We Meet Again" OT Jimmy Tamborello Will We Meet Again – Ojai[42] [41]
"Asleep" OT Sean Michael Smith Idioteque feat. The Reverb Junkie [39]
"Sun Machine" OT Drop Out Orchestra It Will Never Be The Same Again [41]
"The Long Road" High Rollers High Rollers feat. Michelle Chamuel
"Drifting" Genettic SZ Fresh Volume 2
"When" Tony Lucca, Keith Karlson Sixthman Artist Corner [43]
OT – denotes track by collaborating artist, lyrics and vocals by Chamuel
Compilations
Album Released Charts
US
[44]		 US Digital
[44]
The Complete Season 4 Collection[45]
The Voice – Michelle Chamuel		 2013 57 22
Soundtracks
Title Film Year Ref.
"Fallin Fallen" Getting Go, the Go Doc Project 2013 [46]

The Voice performances and results

References

  1. 1 2 "Wellesley native in final six on 'The Voice'". WickedLocal.com. May 30, 2013. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  2. ↑ Parents:
  3. ↑ "Ann Arbor band Ella Riot is blazing a new trail". The Blade. August 25, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  4. ↑ "New Music On the Block (2006)". iTunes Store. November 1, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Local Band Spotlight: My Dear Disco". Detroit Free Press. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  6. ↑ "My Dear Disco has new name - Ella Riot". AnnArbor.com. March 23, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Unsigned Finds: My Dear Disco". Seventeen.com. July 8, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Taking a break from Ella Riot". AnnArbor.com. November 8, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  9. ↑ Bendix, Trish (September 9, 2010). "Interview with Michelle Chamuel". afterellen.com. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  10. ↑ Bendix, Trish (September 9, 2010). "Interview with Michelle Chamuel". afterellen.com. p. 2. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  11. ↑ "SoundCloud Gems: The Reverb Junkie". 303 Magazine. January 9, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Love Child - Ella Riot Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Amherst's Michelle Chamuel runner-up on The Voice". Gazettenet.com. June 19, 2013. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Michelle Chamuel and Chelsea M. Sing "Titanium" on The Voice 2013". Wetpaint.com. April 24, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  15. ↑ "The Voice Recap: To Kill a Knockout Bird". TVLine.com. April 30, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Top 10 'Voice' performances featuring contestants". thecelebritycafe.com. February 23, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Watch Michelle Chamuel's Rendition of 'Just Give Me A Reason'". pinkspage.com. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Taylor Swift Joins 'The Voice' as Guest Mentor". Rolling Stone. August 30, 2014. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  19. ↑ "'The Voice' Recap: Taylor Swift Surprises Michelle Chamuel". Rolling Stone. June 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Michelle Chamuel: Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard Magazine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  21. ↑ "The Voice Season 4 Finale Recap". NYDailyNews.com. June 18, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Dance/Electronic Albums Chart - September 28, 2013". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Former 'Voice' Contestant Michelle Chamuel Announces New Album". cambio.com. August 22, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  24. ↑ "The Bill Newman Show - minutes 48 to 51". whmp.com. September 17, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ "The Voice's Michelle Chamuel to do fund-raiser in Northampton". masslive.com. September 5, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  26. ↑ "How Music Takes You Home: Michelle Chamuel at TEDxShelburneFalls". youtube.com TEDxTalks. November 28, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Listen to 'Voice' runner-up Michelle Chamuel's new single". Entertainment Weekly. November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  28. ↑ "The Drift EP combines Michigan music talents - interview". michiganradio.org. February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Made For Me (crunchy v day version)". bandcamp.com. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  30. ↑ "EP 2 - Odd Year & The Reverb Junkie". iTunes Store. April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  31. ↑ Performance 2014:
  32. ↑ "Michelle Chamuel Hits Milestone on 'Face the Fire' (Exclusive Album Premiere)". The Wall Street Journal - Speakeasy. February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Face The Fire: Michelle Chamuel On Her Career, New Album And Upcoming Tour!". iconvsicon.com. October 12, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  34. ↑ "'Voice' Runner-Up Michelle Chamuel Talks Reality TV Arcs and Usher's Best Lessons". Billboard Magazine. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Independent Albums Chart - February 28, 2015". Billboard Magazine. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Golden (Big Morning Buzz Live)". VH1.com. March 17, 2015. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  37. ↑ "I AM (EP) – The Reverb Junkie". bandcamp.com. November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Concert review: Michelle Chamuel debuts new music at Pearl Street". masslive.com. November 16, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  39. 1 2 3 "SoundCloud - The Reverb Junkie". soundcloud.com. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  40. 1 2 3 "SoundCloud - Thick Glasses Music". soundcloud.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  41. 1 2 3 "YouTube - The Reverb Junkie". youtube.com. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Interview with The Reverb Junkie". Indablog. January 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Sixthman Artist Corner – When". soundcloud.com. January 23, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  44. 1 2 "Allmusic: Michelle Chamuel - Billboard Albums". Allmusic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  45. ↑ "The Complete Season 4 Collection – Michelle Chamuel". iTunes Store. June 19, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Getting Go, the Go Doc Project – full cast & crew". IMDb. Retrieved December 13, 2015.

External links

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