:: artist infos
» member profile:
Michelle Ward
» genre:
Pop >
Contemporary Christian
» location:
Michelle Barendse
» label: unsigned
:: 1,790 total plays
:: 9,730 page views
:: 9,730 page views
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» contact this artist
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:: tags
christian
contemporary christian
faith
free
gospel
heart
holy spirit inspired
latin american
love
meaningful lyrics
original
pop
rap
rb
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Photos
OBZ Cafe - Alive Music Club
Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a singer and would sing along with ads and any song I would hear.I started my first singing lesson when I was only 13 and continued with Mrs Sheila Fox Evans until I was 17.I entered School Talent Shows and sang in the School choir for the duration of my school career.During that time I also did private shows with Mrs Sheila Fox Evans as was included the Fish Hoek Friends of Music Festivals.I then did theatre work for a short while with JJ King Promotions,a year of jingles for KFM radio Station under the Studio, The Music Room in Cape Town. I embarked on a journey to start my own band and did so for a very short while until I meet Midnight Express.We did the Willards Development Project for December 1996 and went our separate ways when I became a christain.I have been a singer-song writer since then and play a Cort six string acoustic guitar.My debut album was done with Tony Drake at the Tracking Station in Muizenberg.The album "Every Good Gift" under the artist name "Michelle",now renamed as "Zeal" and under the artist name "Michelle Ward" has received radio play on CCFM Fish Hoek as well as Radio Tygerberg.
Why this name?
I am known around the South Peninsula as Michelle Ward since my school days and it seemed like an obvious choice.
Do you play live?
I do perform from time to time and have had the priviledge to work with many musicians of which my favourite thus far is Joe Alfos,my very good friend for the last 5 years.Our last gig we did was awesome and was an Art Exibition for a friend,Ashleigh Vincent.What a blast we had.Good friends,wine and lots of laughter was in the air as everyone including myself enjoyed her art and the scriptures that the Lord had given her to add to the art pieces.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
It gives us as musicians oppertunities that we would maybe not have had as easily as now and also connects muso's all across the world!
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
I would love to be apart of the Music Industry as long as they recognise that muso's are people with dreams and visions and not just a means of making money.Music goes much deeper than money.It touches the soul and stirs the hearts of its listeners.In my case I would not give up my identity as a christian singer who under the authority and inspiration of the Holy Spirit write music as a blessing and gift to both my Lord Jesus and others who are willing to listen with their hearts.Making a living from my music would be a bonus!
Band History:
I started my first band with Lorraine,Justin and Mark in a garage and named the band Zandalee.Worked with Malcom Posselsweit(Sorry spelling could be wrong) an excellent drummer,Eric Sawyer(Singer-song writer,guitarist and friend),for short while after.Hooked up with Eric again and started band Rundeep,only lasted for one gig,joined up with Midnight Express for couple of months,we did one gig at the Constantia Nek Restaurant,wrote music and did reel-to-reel recording of our stuff.We just got ready to send that recording away when I got saved and born again in the Lord.I now think that I was a bit over the top!At the time I didn't believe a christian could do other songs except songs that have the Lord's name in them.Now, I believe the Lord wants to come and do a new thing,not just in my own life but also in other people's lives.My new music style includes a mixed repertoire.I think we should keep life interesting and while I am breathing I plan on living out the Word of God in my music!
Your influences?
All genres appeal to me and specifically melodic content of song stirs my heart.I like to be drawn into the music and find that the melody of any song is important to its listeners.I loved people from the Crooners,Mozart,Rock and Roll,Pop and Latin and more recently contemporary jazz,samba,cuban flavours.Music is a language,if it speaks to me,I'll listen and it will become apart of me,even dancing around in my subconcious to flirt with me at a later stage.I draw from all genres and that's what makes a new sound.
Favorite spot?
One of my more recent gigs,end of last year,was at place called:"Little Stream" at Klein Constantia.The owners were very friendly and kind.To me that was paradise!
Equipment used:
Fender R212 amp,Cort accoustic guitar and my Sure SM58 Mic.My husband-friend-sound engineer-roady uses a Yamaha 500p amp and XL Audio Speakers,as well as a Yahmie 8 Channel Mixing Desk.
Anything else...?
Everyone deserves a place in the sun and in the Son we can live,move and breath!Let us be: people of color .......... a rainbow nation,people of color ............. a visual sensation, people of color .............. of reconciliatian, people of color ............. together we can build this nation!