KidSuper, Giggs & Quavo's Big in Da Game

Regardless of the genre, MICHELLE's lyrics hold true to the bedroom singer-songwriter attitude that makes us remember that these are just a bunch of groupchat members-turned-friends. The story of MICHELLE is one big coming of age-movie, soundtracked for and by six kids who grew up in the city who just happened to be making music at the same time. We sat down with each of the members of MICHELLE to see what they’ve grown up with and how they’re going about it now.

JULIAN KAUFMAN

Where are you from?

I’m a lower Manhattan native. It took until I was in my early teens to realize most people didn’t live in and between skyscrapers.

Did you have a musical upbringing?

I’ve taken piano lessons since early elementary school, and started playing the drums in fourth grade. All of my piano teachers have always insisted piano wasn’t for me, and all my drum teachers wished I committed more to the drums.

What’s your role in the band?

In the live show, I play the drums and wear the wife pleasers. In the studio, I go between scowling and laughing until the song is as good as it can be.

First MICHELLE memory?

FaceTiming with Charlie in the spring of my freshman year of college, conceptualizing the album that would go on to become heatwave.

One genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?

This isn’t necessarily a genre, but I would love to make music that is wet and reverberant. Our music is generally dry and in your face, recorded close up in dead rooms. I would love to make an album in a church and use lots of room mics to create a larger than life resonant reverberant sound.

What have you been listening to lately?

I heard a song called “Gecko (Overdrive)” by Oliver Heldens and Becky Hill while I was getting dinner near my studio and have been vibing to it all evening. Very cool housey poppy track.

Guilty pleasure?

Corn muffins from my local bodega for sure.

Pet peeve?

When people don't clean up after themselves in shared spaces. I’m not @ing anyone specific here it’s a recurrent pet peeve I have in my life.

Weirdest experience while filming in public?

Maybe not the weirdest, but the wettest I’ve ever been was at our pulse video shoot. It took me a solid hour under my blankets to finally feel a semblance of warmth again. 

One word to describe MICHELLE’s music:

For this upcoming album? “True”

What’s your warm-up routine?

For the stage, I have found that physical warmups are more helpful than mental warmups. I used to practice mindfulness before going on, and found that I always started the show dissociated and confused. Nowadays I try to stretch for about 10 minutes before going on. There’s nothing better than feeling loosey goosey in front of a crowd.

How have you changed since starting MICHELLE?

Since the band started, I’ve acquired a bunch more synths, microphones, preamps, and drums. So now I’m a man who has a lot more synths, audio gear, and drums than the man I was before.

In an alternate universe, what are you doing right now?

I’m one of four singers in a boy band called Michael. I’m the one with short curly hair and the iconic falsetto. I also have a tattoo sleeve I think?

EMMA LEE

Where are you from?

I grew up in the East Village. 

Did you have a musical upbringing?

There was always a lot of music and dancing in my home. I took piano lessons but stopped in third grade. I started singing with friends at lunch in high school and taught myself just enough guitar to write small songs.

What’s your role in the band?

Singer, songwriter, choreographer, eyes-on-the-art, and friend.

First MICHELLE memory?

Sitting in my college dorm facetiming Julian. It was the first time we’d ever spoken on the phone and he was explaining what writing and singing with other people might be like.

One genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?

I’d like to listen to everything more. But to sing right now I’d say country. I heard Tammy Wynette’s “‘Til I Get it Right” and I was so taken by it. There is a simplicity and a clever clearness in the writing. I found it very moving and I’d like to try singing that song or writing in that way.

What have you been listening to lately?

Lana Del Rey. I was late to “NFR” and I really enjoy it. Also Democracy Now- I realized a couple months ago that the audio from their shows go up on Spotify so I listen there.

Guilty pleasure?

Selling Sunset.

Pet peeve?

Bitter, rude people. And I saw Julian’s answer, probably that too while we are here.

Weirdest experience while filming in public?

Maybe not weird but there were plenty of uncomfortable moments. I got my period while we were filming at the beach, I’ve been terribly cold and ridiculously hot during certain shoots.

One word to describe MICHELLE’s music:

“Ooaahtsssz”

What’s your warm-up routine?

Before a show, I enjoy the ritual of putting on makeup with the other vocalists. We are howling our “ooos,” climbing up and falling down in the scale, applying blush and crisp liner in between. MICHELLE drinks a lot of throat coat tea. We dance in the live show so I make sure to get in my body and stretch too.

How have you changed since starting MICHELLE?

I think I've gotten better at saying no or rather not saying yes to everything. I've grown my hair out long.

In an alternate universe, what are you doing right now?

My head is shaved and I'm feeding cows somewhere in Europe. It’s fresh and a little damp out, I’m in a big navy knit sweater.

If you could choose one musician to play a show with, who would it be?

Karen O

LAYLA KU

Where are you from?

I’m from Clinton Hill.

Did you have a musical upbringing?

Both of my parents are musicians so yes - music was imposed upon me. I grew up on a lot of reggae, Beatles, bachata, Aretha and jazz. It has definitely informed my sound and vocal stylization. I sang and sang and sang and then I was 24.

What’s your role in the band?

Singer, songwriter, performer.

First MICHELLE memory?

Sitting on Julian’s bedroom floor, getting ready to start writing on a HEATWAVE track. Emma opened up an email from her college and I realized that I was attending the same school in the fall.

One genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?

Country blues/folk music. Something that exists in the Mississippi John Hurt/Elizabeth Cotten/Karen Dalton world.

What have you been listening to lately?

Tucker Zimmerman <3. Also ‘A Written Testimony’ by Jay Electroncia. And ‘Open the Door’ by Betty Carter on repeat, to release stuck emotions.

Guilty pleasure?

Shit TV.

Pet peeve?

Disrespect.

Weirdest experience while filming in public?

There have been multiple instances of us filming in public and dealing with strangers either filming us themselves or getting involved in some way. When we were filming our Agnostic socials campaign on the handball courts at Rockaway, some guy and his wife shouted at us from the boardwalk mid-shot. He told us to demonstrate the game of handball for his wife to watch because she “didn’t know what the game looked like.” We told him we weren’t actually playing the game and were shooting something, to which he insisted that we fulfill his request regardless (we did not).

One word to describe MICHELLE’s music:

Lofty.

What’s your warm-up routine?

Ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee aye-aye-aye-aye-aye-aye-aye-aye ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.

How have you changed since starting MICHELLE?

Before MICHELLE I had aggressive stage fright. I was additionally incredibly socially anxious. Joining the band was my trial-by-fire, and I gradually outgrew my fear. Now I can get onstage and throw ass in front of strangers without ruminating on it for the following 3 days.

In an alternate universe, what are you doing right now?

I’m a quantum physicist who dabbles in contortion.

If you could choose one musician to play a show with, who would it be?

I can’t choose one, I’m sorry - Caroline Polachek, Moses Sumney, Jessica Pratt, Pussy Riot, Hozier, Willow, too many more man….

JAMEE LOCKARD

Where are you from?

I'm from New York City, born and raised babyyyy.

Did you have a musical upbringing?

I'd say I had a pretty musical upbringing. I sang in an all girls choir from ages 12 to 18, and I played bass in high school.

What’s your role in the band?

I'm singer, songwriter, and performer in MICHELLE.

First MICHELLE memory?

My first MICHELLE memory was writing "2.25" and "STUCK ON U" in the summer of 2018. Charlie, Julian, and I wrote and recorded the songs in a day and a half. We were just hanging out in Julian's old apartment and eating chicken nuggets while writing. It was super run and gun.

One genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?

Maybe hyper pop or country?

What have you been listening to lately?

I've been listening to the new Kali Uchis album ORCHÍDEAS on repeat.

Guilty pleasure?

I love a shitty reality TV show. The shittier the better.

Pet peeve?

When I ask someone what kind of music they listen to and they respond with "everything." Like c'mon, I wanna know specifics! At the very least, tell me a couple of genres or artists you like.

Weirdest experience while filming in public?

We got a lot of confused stares in the supermarket while we were filming videos for THE PEACH.

One word to describe MICHELLE’s music:

Eclectic

What’s your warm-up routine?

For my body, I try to stretch every day. For my voice, I'll sing scales and vocal slides.

How have you changed since starting MICHELLE?

Prior to MICHELLE, I was very STEM focused, partially because I loved science and partially because it felt like a practical career path. I've always been musically inclined, but I treated music as just an outlet or a hobby before MICHELLE. Now, I'm definitely more tapped into my creative side and I've allowed myself to identify as an artist. It feels silly to admit now, but it was a big shift for me, especially since my Korean mother had always expected me to be a doctor.

In an alternate universe, what are you doing right now?

Living off the grid in a cabin in the woods. I’m the most centered and peaceful version of myself when I surround myself with beautiful nature.

If you could choose one musician to play a show with, who would it be?

Victoria Monet <3

SOFIA D'ANGELO

Where are you from?

Born and raised in NYC! I grew up on the Upper East Side.

Did you have a musical upbringing?

My musical upbringing consisted of my parents always having music playing in the house, whether it was the radio or our favorite CD’s. Bee Gees, Queen, KISS, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Norah Jones, Wham!, and Yazoo were always on heavy rotation. I’ve always been obsessed with performing. I took piano, guitar, and singing lessons, and formed my first band when I was 14.

What’s your role in the band?

In MICHELLE, I am a vocalist and songwriter.

First MICHELLE memory?

In 2018, going to Julian’s apartment in an all-pink jumpsuit and my pink mustang guitar to work on some music that would become part of our first album HEATWAVE.

One genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?

Chanting. Or IDM.

What have you been listening to lately?

I’m currently obsessed with the songs “God Sent Me Here to Rock You” by Naomi Elizabeth and “I Think I’m In Love With You” by Jessica Simpson. I’m also a devoted listener of the podcast How Long Gone.

Guilty pleasure?

A drunk cigarette after doing a DJ set.

Pet peeve?

I get sooooooo peeved when people hate on others for living their best life.

Weirdest experience while filming in public?

We tried filming some content near Coney Island and someone on the board walk starting photographing us and chatting with us as if they were our hired photographer. While flattering, it was interfering with getting the shot we needed.

One word to describe MICHELLE’s music:

Legitness.

What’s your warm-up routine?

For me, warming up is about getting connected with my body. So I do a lot of breathing and stretching to remember what it’s like to have a body. I do a lot of lip trills to get the phlegm out from my vocal folds, it also lets the air massage them. Sometimes some planks and mountain climbers to get the heart rate up and build some heat. Jumping jacks are fun too.

How have you changed since starting MICHELLE?

I’ve become a better listener to music, to others, and to my own body.

In an alternate universe, what are you doing right now?

I’m in grad school writing papers, reading primary sources, and serving academic cunt around campus.

If you could choose one musician to play a show with, who would it be?

The 1975

CHARLIE KILGORE

Where are you from?

Raised (not born - spent the first two shameful years of my life in San Francisco) in NYC!

Did you have a musical upbringing?

Very musical upbringing, both parents were musicians.My grandmother could play the piano with her toes.

What’s your role in the band?

Producer, songwriter, optimist. For the live shows, I play bass and make knowing eye contact with Julian whenever I fuck something up.

First MICHELLE memory?

Rambling, inebriated facetime sessions with Julian trying to think of all the good singers we knew.

One genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d like to?

Hardcore. I know it’ll never happen though - I simply can’t play that fast.

What have you been listening to lately? Labi Siffre, Floating Points, Louis Jordan, Brahms. Many of my friends are visual artists, and they always put me onto great shit because they can just listen to music in the background all day. Being a musician is terrible because you can’t listen to music while doing it.

Guilty pleasure?

Taking 45+ minute poops.

Pet peeve?

Being rushed. Needless anxiety. That type of thing.

Weirdest experience while filming in public?

I tend to zone out pretty hard between takes, so I miss a lot of the exciting stuff. That said, there’s an unreleased music video nobody will ever see for a song called LOVE UR NAME in which I get slapped in the face, and while filming, some stranger stopped by and taught us proper face-slapping technique.

One word to describe MICHELLE’s music:

Not sure I can do that. I can do six words, one word per member, maybe… MICHELLE‘s music feels too stuffed with information to fit into one word.

What’s your warm-up routine?

No such thing. I start every show ice cold and end every show red hot.

How have you changed since starting MICHELLE?

I’ve awakened to the joy in very mundane parts of life that I never imagined being enjoyable as a teen. Also, when we made HEATWAVE I would eat an entire Freshdirect frozen pizza for lunch at Julian’s house every day. If I tried that as a 25-year-old I would shit my pants and spontaneously combust.

In an alternate universe, what are you doing right now?

Being taller.

If you could choose one musician to play a show with, who would it be?

Alternate universe taller Charlie.