Folk singer’s music captures the soul

Singer-songwriter Michelle Lewis has had one goal in mind for a long time now: to make a living as a musician. Not always an easy thing to do, especially in the sometimes dog-eat-dog Boston music scene. But Lewis is persevering.

Sounding a little bit like a cross between Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos, Lewis’ upbeat folk rock is garnering her an increasing fan base, mostly due to her constant touring. Many musicians, when they first start out, don’t always get to play on a consistent basis. Lewis manages to play around 15 gigs a month.

“I’ve played out in California. I go there every three to six months for a couple weeks,” she said. “I started added dates in the south recently, as well as playing constantly in New England and New York. It’s hard not to take gigs if they’re offered to you, but I’ve been upping the size of venues I play.” Not bad, from the girl who’s played everywhere from a VFW Hall in Northern California to the Paradise Lounge in Boston.

The 24-year-old Lewis has been playing guitar and singing since she was a teenager growing up in Milford, Mass. She went to Berklee College of Music, where she studied guitar, voice and songwriting. After graduating two years ago, she set out to make music, starting in the Boston area, playing clubs and pubs and coffeehouses.

Talking to her, Lewis as a person seems as lively and articulate as her music. She’s a strong guitar player, with a commanding presence that comes through even on her debut, self-released album “This Time Around.” You can hear her confidence in songs like “Never Cried For You.” which is both sincere and energetic, and reminiscent of early Ani DiFranco – folk music, with a lot of fire behind it.

She’s also used to doing things on her own – also reminiscent of Ms. DiFranco.

“I play mostly solo gigs, but sometimes I play with a bassist or cellist,” she said. “Once in a while I’ll have a full band. But usually I like to do solo. I can just pick up my guitar and go.”

Lewis is not one to shy away from the challenges of being a touring musician. That’s what she wants to do with her life. And so far, it’s working.

“It’s the way I survive. I’m making a living, though right now I’m making a living in that I’m still alive,” she says with a laugh. “I just want to get my music out there.”

Michelle Lewis will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 at McMahon’s Grille in Rockport, and again at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at the Waterworks in Rockland. For information on Michelle, visit www.michellelewismusic.com.

Supporting acts:

Tonight, relive some of the finest musical moments of the 1970s when the Allman Brothers Band rolls into the Augusta Civic Center. After many shakeups, the new lineup features founding members Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes, as well as guitar prodigy Derek Trucks. You might not get another chance to see the best Southern rock band of all time play a gig in Maine, and tickets are still available, so get them now. With singer songwriter/pop heartthrob Gavin DeGraw. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $29 to $45 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets or at the Civic Center box office.

Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.