Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers just released their new album “What It’s All About”, and it’s like stepping into a bar where the music is already going and you don’t even think twice, you just get into it. The title track opens the album with that exact energy. It’s lively, confident, and has that old-school soul vibe, but still fresh enough to not sound stuck in the past. Michele’s voice stands out right away. It’s strong but not too heavy and the band behind her really knows how to support without taking over.
“Runaround” comes next and slows things just a little, but not in a boring way. The vocals are smooth and the melodies are easy to get into. There’s a bit of emotion in there too, like calling someone out but still keeping it cool. The production here is clean, nothing overdone, and it lets the song breathe. “Pucker Up Buttercup” brings a more playful side. The hook is catchy, simple, and honestly hard to forget after a couple listens. This one is a track you’d put on repeat without even noticing. The instrumentation is tight again, and you can hear how well everything is put together without it feeling forced.
Then “Pushing Away Love” changes the mood. It’s softer, more emotional, and more personal. The lyrics hit a bit deeper here, talking about pushing away something good, which is something a lot of people can relate to. The gentle instrumentation works really well, and nothing feels rushed. “Tough Breaks and Bad Decisions” stands out for its rhythm and detail. There’s a lot going on if you really listen, from the instruments to her delivery, which stays smooth but still catchy. It’s one of those songs where the band really shows their skill without trying to show off too much.
“The Visitor” is quieter and a bit different. It’s almost like a pause in the middle of everything. It’s simple, a bit mysterious, and gives the album some space. Then “Broken People” builds things back up again with strong melodies and fuller instrumentation. The lyrics here feel honest, talking about people carrying their struggles but still moving forward. “Let Go of These Blues” closes the album in a calm and steady way. It’s not trying to end on a big dramatic note, and that actually works better. It’s real and like letting things settle after everything that came before.
The whole album leans into blues and classic R&B sounds, with a bit of that vintage feel, but it never feels outdated. One thing that stands out is how natural everything sounds, and knowing it was recorded live in one session makes sense, because you can feel that raw energy throughout. We really liked this album. It’s easy to listen to and full of good moments. Definitely something we’d come back to again.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Michele D’Amour is a storyteller and award-winning songwriter who penned her first song at the age of six and became a published poet in her early twenties. Her lyrics treat difficult topics with a sense of soulful whimsy and wry humor. Michele sang in her church choir, wrote songs, and sang lead for some local bands before honing her craft at several of the jams in the Seattle area. Upon the advice of friends, she formed Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers in 2011.
Patrick McDanel, also from Seattle, has been with the band since its inception. He plays bass and sings backing vocals. McDanel started on piano at five; then played trombone professionally for several years until needing to stop due to an injury. Patrick is a veteran of the national music scene, having played with notable bands and acts as either a regular player or fill-in. One of his favorite career moments was playing at the Apollo Theater in the 1990s.
Andrew Seliber (drums) has been playing for about twenty-five years, starting in a high-school garage band before sit-ins during a bartending job in a Pioneer Square jazz club pulled him deep into jazz, soul, funk, and R&B. He’s played with Lonnie Williams’ band, the Hula Bees, and the Groovetramps, along with various sideman gigs. A working live-sound engineer, he brings that same attentive ear to the kit, aiming for the “right” notes and treating every song like a conversation with the band and the crowd.
Steve Gorringe has been playing and studying the guitar for over fifty years, studying with notable Jazz greats Bob Rice, Milo Peterson and Don Mock. He holds two degrees in music from Western Washington University where he studied classical guitar and choral conducting. Mr. Gorringe has been directing local high school music programs for the past twenty eight years; his ensembles have consistently won top honors at numerous competitions. He has performed throughout the Northwest, California, New York, New Orleans and Europe.
Noel Barnes first hit the Seattle music scene with the Highline Community College Jazz Ensemble. A saxophonist who also doubles on flute and clarinet, he studied with Sue Orfield and went on to work with local jazz greats like Jay Thomas, Floyd Standifer, Eric Verlinde, and Brian Nova. He has performed with R&B and rock groups including CityKnightz, Chain Reaction, Show Nuff Funk, and the late Deems Tsutakawa. Before music became his full-time path, Noel was a standout football player at WSU and with the semipro Pierce County Bengals, earning induction into the Pacific Northwest Minor League Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Merlyn Ahern is a music educator and professional musician. She brings more than 25 years of piano accompanying and performance experience to the band. Merlyn specializes in piano, organ, harpsichord, and vocals. She has performed throughout the United States as well as abroad, including playing in an ensemble throughout Europe. Merlyn has performed every genre of music from rock-n-roll and folk music to classical.
