I’m an improvising musician, writer and educator from Midcoast Maine, now based in the Blue Ridge foothills.
After a decade running a studio teaching practice in New York City and years working in the cultural sector, I’ve come full circle—returning to session work and creative projects, and to living and working in the forest.
I approach each invitation with curiosity and attunement. If you’re here to listen, collaborate, or follow the thread, you’re in the right place.
After a 30-day public street performance experiment in NYC, and a chance encounter that caught the ear of GRAMMY-winning producer, Malcolm Burn, Christine de Michele wrote and recorded her first full-length collection.
A nod to any woman who has reordered her life to captain her own ship. The album’s story unfolds just before that turning point, in reply to an important encounter with an enduring connection. Maritime Cowboy is the man who offers a mirror to the adventure and freedom she will soon possess — but can she keep her wits, and her heart, as she crosses the line?
“When she sings, it’s like the whole universe is speaking to all of us.”
“I love this soul-touching record.”
“It’s such a big undertaking to make an album of original music — and her record sounds fabulous!”
“There’s a mystic poet sort of wisdom in her voice that makes music like this, in my mind, timeless.”
Christine de Michele, Jeff Koch, Maritime Cowboy release show, Cornelia Street Cafe, West Village, NYC
Dustin Kaufman, Christian Nourijanian, Jeff Koch, Christine de Michele (left to right), Maritime Cowboy release show, Cornelia Street Cafe, West Village, NYC
Reuben Allen, recording organ for Maritime Cowboy, Kingston, New York
Malcolm Burn, recording Maritime Cowboy in his studio, Kingston, New York
Christine de Michele, recording Maritime Cowboy, Kingston New York
Spend a Week
Signal
Island
Northern Star
Only Hello
Traveling
Salve (in the age of the Selfie Stick)
Three Fishers
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Each weekday morning during the middle years of her New York decade, Christine went to work at 92NY. There, on her lunch breaks and commutes across Central Park, she thought about daily routines. After a 30-day public street performance experiment, she set out to play, sing, and write for 365 days straight. A chance encounter with GRAMMY-winning producer, Malcolm Burn led to Maritime Cowboy and also to a byproduct: hundreds of Lofi recordings, some featured here, in these little montages.
“Christine de Michele has a fabulous voice.”
'Sparrow are fronted by the dulcet-toned Christine de Michele. Their sound is trip hoppy and recalls Lamb and Morcheeba. Your Fable starts the ep with a quiet, determined song that showcases de Michele's vocal gifts. Entre is fluid and delightful, de Michele sings beautifully to a rhythmic backing. "Your nose is so cute I want to eat it" she sings casually on Hungry? while oddly resembling Jane Siberry. This is a sparkling collection of songs.' -Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell / Collected Sounds
'The female-fronted band offers songs that bring to mind the sound of Zero 7 tunes mixed with Sophie Barker and Sia Furler. Vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist on the album, Christine de Michele wears a number of hats, and she wears them well. She does not do it alone, though, as driving drums and swirling, echoing guitars offer great counterpoints.' - Performer Magazine
“A sparking collection of songs.”
Click to listen to View @2007. Recorded DIY in a bathroom and an attic in Boston, Massachusetts