San Diego Reader

Michele Lundeen: Percussion, Vocals | John January: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals | Walter Gentry: Saxophone, Vocals | David Lindgren: Bass guitar, Vocals | Ric Lee: Drums, Percussion | Michael McGinty: Keyboards, Vocals

Genre: Blues & Soul

Sound description: Often described as "Janis Joplin meets Bonnie Raitt" (or think Lydia Pense, Bonnie Bramlett).

RIYL: Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Harry Belfonte, the Righteous Brothers, Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson, Tina Turner, Etta James, BB King, James Brown, Susan Tedeschi, Rolling Stones, Albert King,

Upcoming Local Shows

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Song Downloads

• Song Inside Me
• Starting All Over

Related Links

• Michele Lundeen website

• Blurt · Dec. 27, 2007

• MySpace page

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 1998

Influences: Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield, Mahalia Jackson, Tina Turner, Isley Brothers, Bonnie Raitt

Background:

Dubbed the “Queen of Steam” for her soulful vocals and energetic stage presence, Lundeen and her band blend classic roadhouse rhythm & blues, jump swing, Memphis groove, sultry jazz, and funky soul into a satisfying musical stew.

Lundeen has frequently been nominated Best Blues at the San Diego Music Awards, her eighth time being in 2010. Her debut full-length Song Inside Me was nominated Best Blues Album at the 2005 SDMAs, and one of the final four 2006 Best Self-Produced CDs at that year’s Blues Foundation’s Int’l Blues Challenge. She and her band also won Blues Lovers United of San Diego’s Regional IBC in 2001.

Describing her strangest stage moment, Lundeen says “I had some guy literally crawl across the floor to eat a dog biscuit out of my hand when I was performing one of my heartwarming originals, ‘I Need a Dog.’ I was really just teasing, and there he was on his hands and knees, barking and growling. Lawd, have mercy.”

Discography

Video