Michelles is the project of Chicago musician Michael Daly, which by current count has gone through three bass players, two guitar players, and one short lived background singer and tambourine player. The only consistent cohort has been drummer Ryan Farnham, who has provided drums on two full-length records, Michelles (2013), and Dark as a Daisy (2017).

Due to his perfectionist tendencies, Daly performs and produces all of the recordings himself.  This, combined with an unorthodox and circular manner of working, can lead to long gestation periods for new material.  The newest release, titled The Empty Promises of Rock and Roll, will finally see the light of day in March 2022.

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“I’m not always one to make comparisons, but hearing this song [Illusions], I can’t help but think of it as pairing MGMT’s psychedelia perfectly with The Smiths’ raw candor and heart-on-sleeve sincerity.”      —Atwood Magazine

“[Michelles’] new single “All Is Forgiven” sounds like a mustier and more ambitious version of Smith Westerns, with an injection of swirling psychedelia in the keyboard usage and prog-rock in the revolving structure. Off the project’s upcoming, long-awaited new album, it’s a mightily impressive track that suggests this release is well worth anticipating. Think Suede crossed with Smith Westerns.” —Obscure Sound

“Sounding a bit like a lost gem from the Creation Records catalog, Michelles’ debut switches identities casually and masterfully from Velvets-y psych pop of “Coming Up Weeds” to the garage stomp of “Brighter Day,” all the while recalling many of our fave Brit bands. On “Seasick Accidents” the band swings for the fences with big guitar hooks, Beatlesque mellotron, and an acid rock breakdown. Somehow, the Chicago boys keep the whole ship afloat.” -John Dugan, johndugan.net