After landing at No. 4 on the Billboard charts, Michelle Kash returns with her most hypnotic work yet. 'Gravity' is a dark-pop daydream that captures the push and pull of passion when desire becomes inescapable. Swirling with lush synths and soulful, smoke-hued vocals, the track marks a striking new chapter for the New York-born, LA-based artist.
But Michelle’s journey into music didn’t begin with a mic, it began in silence. A chance moment during a spiritual retreat opened something unexpected in her, unlocking a need to sing that arrived like a shockwave. From that moment on, music became less of a decision and more of a force pulling her in.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It was guitar actually. I had already been playing piano for a few years as a child but to be honest, it was a forced practice, mandatory lessons that were strictly classical. I was always very independent and I didn’t want to be forced to do anything. I didn’t want to play classical music, I wanted to play the blues. I wanted to learn guitar. Eventually I transitioned to guitar, but ironically, piano is the instrument I feel the most connected to now, apart from my voice.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was all over the map. Folk, Blues, Alternative, Gospel. Anything that made me FEEL something, or helped me feel what I couldn’t express. I think when I was going through difficult times as a teenager I mostly loved Alternative. The rage would help me process things I had no words for.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The Beatles 1962-1966. I wore it out. Actually, I was named after “Michelle”.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
God, there are so many, I'm just grateful I get to listen to them. The first song that comes to mind is Leonard Cohen’s Avalanche. I guess it's more of a poetic monologue, but what isn’t lol. I love the complexity of these lyrics, a conversation of worthiness, distortion, and divinity. “Your pain is no credential here, it’s just the shadow of my wound.” I just love it.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I try to shut out the world. I use my phone to record melodies but I'll put it on airplane mode. I’ll just keep recording as things come to me and if I feel the flow. It could be an hour or more of recordings. Then I'll listen back and sort through what I think the song is, rerecord, crop, rerecord, crop. I did this a couple of weeks ago with a new song, I woke up with a melody in my head and started recording. I went from 50 minutes of recording, down to 20, to 8, etc. And when I write lyrics- the doodles! Just doodling and lyrics and doodling and lyrics to infinity. The pages look wild and then it just comes together. I don’t know how, but eventually they do.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m listening to Leonard Cohen as we speak since I answered that question earlier haha. I have been into this Fiona Apple playlist ranking her songs in order of rage. Obsessed. I would reorder them a bit in order of my own fem rage haha. The Kinks, New Order, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Rachael Yamagata, and Chappell Roan.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Anyone from the above.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Connecting with people that love my music or have been to shows. I’ve gotten some amazing letters and messages that really moved me. It’s how I feel about the musicians I’ve listened to in my life. They gave me a huge gift of connection when I felt alone and all I want is to give that back.
And what is the most frustrating part?
All I want is to make music and share music and there are a lot of other elements in the music business. It's not a solitary affair. But that is also a gift because I've met and worked with some amazing people. It's my lifelong restlessness. I crave connection but I also need solitude.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
It’s not about ‘good’ or ‘bad’, it's about taking someone on a journey, being my authentic self, and just letting go.
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Michelle Kash's new single 'Gravity' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.