Love, Longing & A Wedding Dress: Michellar’s “Get Me There to Church” Hits the Heart

Country newcomers often have a big reputation to live up to. Expectations are set high and standards have to be raised by anyone who dares to join the family. Michellar’s first release, “Get Me There to Church”, is a tender and forceful piece of music, personal yet universal, classic yet fresh. The San Francisco-based singer, whose real name is Michelle Bond, was inspired by her own love and commitment to craft a personal, yet accessible and professional song from the very beginning. Borrowing sonically from Miranda Lambert’s influences, the track was intended to be a homage to her favourite country star, but what it ended up being was an honest and compelling look at the point when living with someone just isn’t enough, and the only logical next step is the altar.

The song benefits immensely from the people behind it. Tobias Wilson produced the track, which also features soothing and soulful vocals by Helen Walford and Harrison Black. They capture both closeness and distance in the track, the odd kind of distance that lovers might feel even when they’re living under the same roof. You can almost feel the thousands of miles between recording studios (in San Francisco, London, and Staffordshire) adding an extra tinge of longing to the song. It’s also present in the production, which feels generous but never rushed. It sways gently, as if it could collapse at any second, giving each word and note time to settle, to feel the pull of gravity. The track might have crossed the Atlantic several times before it was finished, but it shows in how it conveys a message of love, waiting, and decision.

The song, at its heart, is about reaching a point with a partner when it’s obvious what the next step is, yet it’s also life-changing. Michellar doesn’t overcomplicate it. The beauty of this track is in how straightforward and genuine it is. It’s relatable to anyone who has ever asked the question of themselves and their lover: “What are we waiting for?” For anyone who knows country music and loves it, it’s a balm to the heart. With this track, Michellar doesn’t only demonstrate her own love for country. She delivers something real. This is not the end. This is not even the beginning of the end. This is the beginning of a long and remarkable journey.

Follow Michellar on Sound Cloud, Bandcamp, Facebook and Instagram. Also Visit her Official Website