She’s one of those open and honest people who wear their hearts firmly on their sleeves in the name of their art. Her debut album, 85th and Nowhere, had not only her homeland of America enraptured, but also caused genuine excitement throughout Europe.

Respected music reviewers from revered music publications had nothing but genuine praise for her debut effort. The Swedish music press described her work as a confident collection of songs musically reminiscent of Nick Lowe’s early 80’s sound. In Scotland the press mused that she has a capability to evoke countless emotions and an intensity of unquestionable depth. The career dictating London journos were impressed enough to write sounding like Deborah Harry did when she was at her best in the 80’s. 85th and Nowhere also drew this comment courtesy of the Manila Standard in the Philippines: probably one of the most important artists that you have not heard yet. These quotes, and so many others, are genuine snippets from reviews by people who have been in the business long enough to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Just seeming moments after her debut release Michele was invited to play the London International Festival of Poetry and Song alongside such giants as Patti Smith. Her music has had a ringing endorsement from Opal Bonfante, a Radio One London personality who has interviewed the likes of Pete Townsend and Brenda Lee, as well as David Spencer of Sky News UK who has interviewed The Damned, Roger Waters and other musical greats. She took over the airwaves of the United Kingdom with her song My Sleeping Beauty capturing 100 percent of listener votes on Moray Firth Radio, the country’s farthest reaching radio station. In her current residence of Nashville Ari leaped ahead of the other nominees in Deli Magazine’s “Artist of the Month” poll, winning by a landslide.

The title of Ari’s new EP, mal a’ propos, is telling. The term refers to someone or something that’s out of place or untimely, and one listen to this artist’s music makes it clear that she doesn’t quite fit in among her contemporaries. Favoring the quirks, sharp edges and left-of-center mentality of old school punk, new wave, power pop and college rock over the formulaic predictability of much of today’s indie rock, her music puts a fresh twist on the sounds from a more exciting time in rock and roll.

Mal a’ propos is a solid leap forward while maintaining the qualities that enthralled listeners to Ari’s previous work. 6 a.m – which begins subtly and builds into a driving pop/rock number – is at once clever, heartfelt and infectious, with lyrics that make it clear the songwriter isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. Atom Bombs and Transatlantic Love Affair drive that point home in the form of introspective, captivating pages out of Ari’s mental diary. Rounding out the malapropos EP are Boxes, a high voltage kiss-off that recalls Blondie’s punk roots, and Don’t Go, a come-hither power pop gem boasting hooks that are likely to make a home in your head for days.

Michele is a catalyst for these times. Her voice is no fluke, her talent is as natural as the seasons and her grasp of song writing is uncanny. She remains a much needed transfusion of new blood for the veins of a genre quickly running out of ideas and direction. Half the world is unaware of her existence and the other half is unable to keep the secret! Expect many ‘I discovered her first’ claims when she finally strolls onto the map that will place her alongside many other luminaries of this fickle industry. Don’t take the word of the press, or the actions of a country. Find out for yourself and be privy to the worst kept secret, but the best bet for success, this music industry currently has to offer. In the words of Karla Ash, a writer for Seattle-based The Wig Fits All Heads, Keep an eye out for this lady. She’s going places.

photos: Richard Call