Twang with a twist - Michelle Murrell blends country-folk with a hint of '90s alternative spirit.

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Michelle Murrell is an Australian alt-country artist from the NSW Central Coast, blending heartfelt storytelling and country-folk twang with a subtle ’90s alternative spirit at its core, creating a sound that feels both familiar and distinctly her own.

 

Often claiming music as her first love, Michelle’s sound is shaped as much by classic country and folk as it is by the grunge and alternative music she grew up on.

 

Raised on everything from You Am I, Hole, Nirvana, Violent Femmes and Queens of the Stone Age to her parents’ record collection featuring Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, The Kinks, David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac, Michelle draws inspiration from a wide mix of sounds and eras. More recent influences like Sierra Ferrell, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and Nikki Lane continue to shape her songwriting and style; all helping create a sound that feels nostalgic, raw, and grounded in honest songwriting.

 

Her debut album Flannel Flowers (2025), produced by acclaimed Australian country musician Bill Chambers, showcases evocative vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and a genre-blurring style that moves comfortably between intimate folk moments and raw alt-country energy.

 

Michelle is often joined by her husband James on percussion, creating a live show that feels warm, stripped-back, and deeply rhythmic, driven equally by acoustic guitar and percussion.

 

The pair first met as teenage musicians playing in separate high school bands; James behind the drums in a punk band, while Michelle played bass in an all-girl grunge band. Life eventually took over with work, marriage, and raising a family, and music slipped quietly into the background for many years. Despite never properly playing together until recent years, the two found a natural musical connection, with James trading full drum kits for a cajón, slowing his punk instincts into something that complements Michelle’s style perfectly.

 

Michelle’s distinctive vocal delivery and emotionally honest songwriting have earned growing recognition within the Australian country and Americana scene. Multiple singles have received airplay on ABC Country programs including Grass Roots and Saturday Night Country with Beccy Cole, alongside extensive support from community radio stations across Australia and the world.

 

2026 will see Michelle and James back in the studio with acclaimed Australian country musician Bill Chambers, working on new music set for release through 2026 and into 2027.

Read about Michelle's career highlights to date here.