By Vaibhav Thomas
Navigating life through grade school, or even high school, can be difficult – particularly for children who are soft-spoken and introverted. And the anguish of those young students who are ostracized by their peers (and sometimes by teachers even) – is bound to leave an indelible mark upon their personalities as they grow up. The essence of those very sentiments is perfectly encapsulated by Maryland-based singer-songwriter Michelle Lockey in the form of her latest, titled ‘Why Don’t They Choose Me?’
Written in the key of G minor, "Why Don’t They Choose Me?" is a powerful number, not only for its courageous lyrical theme – one that has hardly been trodden upon with justice – but also for its supreme emotional quotient rivaled only by the likes of Kansas’ Dust In The Wind. Crafted in the realms of soft rock built upon acoustic elements, and with a light touch of gospel added to proceedings, the number has a distinct sound accomplished by a sonic balance between sounding both mainstream and alternative throughout it's two verse-1 chorus-1 bridge structure.
The songwriting, by Lockey and Stephen Joseph Antonelli, weaves a world of emotions, with lines such as “Maybe I’ll change the way I talk, What would it take…level of perfection” and “I know I’m odd, quirky and imperfect, Doesn’t mean that I’m not worth it” – encompassing the gut-wrenching as well as the resolute. The choice of instrumentation – spearheaded by the acoustic guitar’s rhythmic strumming – plays a crucial role in keeping the listener arrested throughout the number, making its lyrical theme more palatable and understandable.
However, it is Michelle Lockey’s vocals – at once down-to-earth and yet with a generally whimsical but resolute nostalgia – that transforms gives the song it's strength. Her vocal rendition could be accomplished by no other as she offers up a glassily breathy vocal timber in the lower-mid register filled with staunch empathy, having lived her own lyrics at one point of time. Perfectly encapsulated during the course of the second verse, and well-punctuated by Lockey’s own vocal harmonies, her voice along with the subsequent addition of the electric guitar’s ambient textures in tandem with the bass and drum, make for a sonic experience that cuts to the heart.
At a duration of three minutes, "Why Don’t They See Me?" is a stunning addition to the list of memorable numbers that aim to shed light on bullying, ostracization, and social norms. Through a sheer mix of simplicity and sincere empath, Lockey shines a light upon how vulnerable children can be when ostracized for no fault of theirs – and also how inherently stronger and cooler those very children are, for it.
About Michelle
Michelle is an accomplished recording artist, singer-songwriter, and producer based in Maryland. With a long list of accolades to her name, Michelle has solidified her reputation as a respected artist in the music industry. She has been nominated for several awards, including the Hollywood Music In Media Award, the Global Music Award Bronze Finalist, and the Washington Area Music Award. Michelle has also won multiple awards, including the Grand Prize in the 2013 John Lennon Song Contest in the Folk category for her song "Your Footprints," which she co-wrote with Paul Otten. She also won the Silver Award in the Songwriter's Association of Washington Mid Atlantic Song Contest.
Michelle's music has been featured on a variety of platforms, including TV shows, films, and commercials. Her work has appeared on popular shows such as The Young and the Restless, The Voice, and Longmire, as well as in films like Speed Kills and Hallmark's Hope at Christmas. Michelle has also contributed to Amazon Prime's Good Girls Revolt & The Path, CBS Inside the PGA, and the CW Fall Promo, among others. Michelle's music and Indie/Alternative Folk sound is influenced by Ingrid Michaelson, Sheryl Crow, Tristan Prettyman, Meiko, Birdy, The Lumineers, The Head & The Heart, Warpaint, Cannons, Florence and the Machine, Hope Sandoval, London Grammar, The XX, Daughter, The Civil Wars, Colbie Caillat, and Oh Honey.
Michelle has performed at various corporate events and venues, including the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club, Signature Theatre, and several concert series such as Focus Music and Stone Room Concerts. Her set list is diverse and includes music from various eras and genres, from The Eagles to Sheryl Crow to Guns N' Roses, guaranteeing a crowd-pleasing performance. Michelle also occasionally performs in a duet with fellow singer Michelle Murray, adding extra energy and musical variety to her shows. For more information, visit Michelle Lockey's official website: https://www.michellelockey.com.
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