Based in Chicago, Michelle Billingsley attracted the attention of acclaimed producer Brian Deck (Josh Ritter, Iron & Wine, Nathaniel Rateliff), who recorded her new debut album, Not the Marrying Kind. Her songs have been described as “biting & enigmatic” with the “knock ’em dead bravado of Nancy Sinatra and the blunt storytelling of Neko Case.” She cites Leonard Cohen as one of her many influences,a master of subtly tucking some of the pithiest, most caustic barbs into the most gorgeous of songs—and she’s not afraid to channel it while turning the mirror on herself.
Her new single “Once in a While” is a sparse, gorgeous folk ballad—a duet with country & Western revivalist Wild Earp that sounds plucked straight from ’70s Nashville-outsider doc Heartworn Highways. As evidenced by this track, at her best, Billingsley channels Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark & John Prine as well as anyone working today. “Once in a While” is a nakedly honest set of vignettes about a steady fling with an expiration date, yet one that’s anchored by a disarmingly sweet & genuine mutual appreciation unburdened by expectations.
If the name is new to you then you’ve just struck gold.
https://www.michellebillingsley.com
Photo Credit: Lyndon French