Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?

My father was really my musical mentor. He showed me the greats, he trained my ear, and he encouraged me to practice every day. My Dad is a guitar player, and I remember singing and dancing to his guitar playing with my sisters from a very young age. He introduced me to some of my favorites, like Heart, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nat King Cole, The Beatles, and Queen. I was actually named after a Beatles song. I bet you can't guess which one…

What’s the story behind your album’s title?

I was having a hard time deciding what to call the EP. My friend and artwork designer (Jason Lee Denton) told me I’d know it when it came to me. I work out a lot because it’s a big stress reliever for me, and I went to a fitness class and we were holding a difficult posture, and the teacher was talking about “letting the light in and shining your heart towards the sky.” I immediately knew that I’d call the record Let the Light In because there are multifaceted songs on the record that shine a light on both positive and negative experiences I’ve been through the past few years.

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?

I’ve gotten a lot of really sound advice since moving to Nashville. I’m lucky to be surrounded by friends who have been here for 5-10 years, and some of the words I repeat to myself when I feel like I’m just treading water are that I’m “building my business.” I didn’t get a degree in business, (I have a BFA) so it’s definitely a learning curve to be a business owner and artist. But the two absolutely go hand in hand.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

So many people! I would love to write with, open for, or just play pool with Sara Bareilles, Lucie Silvas, Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Gavin DeGraw. I’d also love to collaborate with Dave Cobb and Ian Fitchuk. They are all incredible music makers and from what I hear wonderful human beings.

Favorite thing to do on a day off?

There’s a lot of great places to hike in Tennessee, and when the weather is nice I love getting outside. I used to work on Cruise Ships, and I always feel great when I’m around water and outdoors.

Have you met any of your heroes? If so, how did it go?

I actually got the opportunity to meet and sing for one of my musical heroes, Marcus King. In a classic Nashville happenstance, he was at my weekly funk/soul band residency gig downtown. He was kind and encouraging, and of course was wearing a very, very cool hat.

Recent release you cannot stop listening to?

There’s a song called “Golf on TV” that I’ve had on repeat for a while. It’s by Lennon Stella feat JP Saxe. I have a very eclectic taste in music, and the lyrics and melody of this song really resonated with me. I tend to overthink when I’m songwriting, and I think there’s something really special in the lyrics. It’s very honest and beautiful.

Which song of yours gets the best crowd response?

People seem to really love “Storm!" I played a show in Nashville last night and I saw a few folks singing along in the crowd, which made me so happy. It’s one of my favorite songs to perform, so I’m thrilled that people enjoy hearing it. I’m really glad I did a music video for that one. I think it was essential for everyone to see me singing in the rain

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Michelle Brooke - A modern torch record, Michelle Brooke’s forthcoming EP Let the Light In gets into the intricacies of love and loss with soul-infused style and aplomb. It’s neo-R&B with a big, beating heart, and doesn’t shrink from confronting the pain of those relationships - those matters of the heart - that define us. But the pain is balanced with optimism, making Let the Light In a record about light and dark, desire and regret. Now a Nashvillian who has shared the stage with notables like Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Brooke is currently an integral part of the famed house band at Nashville’s celebrated Lower Broadway venue Acme Feed and Seed. You can hear the experience: Michelle brings serious vocal and songwriting chops to her latest release.

Michelle has indeed found her place in the hyper-competitive Nashville music scene. In 2019 alone, she sang background vocals for a multi-artist benefit show at the Ryman Auditorium, learning 30 songs in two days for the event. This super-professional versatility, and Michelle’s well-honed musicality as a singer and songwriter, informs Let the Light In. 

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