Michal

Born as Michal Towber on an Israeli kibbutz, she moved back to New York—her family’s original home—at the age of one. Classical piano lessons filled her childhood, but popular music drew her focus once she reached high school. After taking up guitar, she began appearing in downtown New York clubs, where she encountered several musicians, including Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum, whom she brought as her date to senior prom. A 1997 slot in the CMJ Music Marathon sparked label interest and produced a deal with Columbia Records’ RPM custom imprint, directed by Danny Bennett, son and manager of Tony Bennett. She therefore set aside college plans and devoted herself to her debut album, Sky With Stars, which appeared in June 2000.