Coming Home: How a Night at the DeYoung Museum Brought Michellar Back to Music

There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when a lifelong passion resurfaces after decades in the shadows. For San Francisco-based artist Michelle Bond—known creatively as Michellar—that homecoming is happening right now through her latest single, “Promise.”

If you’ve spent any time in the neighborhood open mic scene in SF lately, you’ve likely felt the gravity of her performances. But the road to “Promise” wasn’t a straight line; it was a 40-year detour that eventually led exactly where she was meant to be.

The Spark that Reignited Everything

Michelle started writing songs at 15, but as life often does, it took her in different directions. For forty years, she poured her creativity into the earth as a garden designer and onto canvases as a visual artist.

The turning point came in 2023. When Michelle was accepted into the DeYoung Museum’s Open Exhibition, the recognition of her visual art did something unexpected: it cracked open the door to her music. That exhibition wasn’t just a win for her art; it was the spark that brought her songwriting back to life.

“Songwriting is the Place I Call Home”

While her earlier tracks like Warrior, Get me there to Church, and September established her range, “Promise” feels like a distillation of her true essence. You can hear the DNA of her early influences—the storytelling of Carole King, the folk-sensibilities of Peter, Paul and Mary, and the melodic sweep of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

But what makes Michellar stand out in today’s pop landscape isn’t just her catchy hooks; it’s her radical honesty. As she dives deeper into music production, she describes songwriting as her “most happy place.” It is, quite literally, where she feels at home.

A Force of Nature in the Making

The industry is starting to take notice of this second act. Cage Riot recently noted that Michellar is becoming a “force of nature,” comparing her ability to navigate the full spectrum of pop—from heartfelt ballads to high-energy anthems—to icons like Katy Perry and Michael Jackson.

Whether she’s performing at a local dive or polished in the studio, the signature remains the same: unmistakable sincerity.

Where to Listen

“Promise” is more than a pop single; it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to return to the things that make us feel alive.

• Follow Michellar’s Journey: Keep an eye on the San Francisco open mic circuits to see her live.

• Stream “Promise”: Available now on all major music platforms.

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