Michelle David & The True-tones

Michelle David & The True-tones represent a unique transatlantic musical synthesis. Born in North Carolina and seasoned in the New York gospel scene, Michelle David relocated to the Netherlands in 1994, eventually collaborating with Onno Smit and Paul Willemsen of Lefties Soul Connection.

Originally performing as 'The Gospel Sessions', the group spent four volumes deconstructing gospel music into its rawest elements. In 2021, they rebranded as The True-tones to reflect a wider sonic palette including soul, funk, and world music influences. Their sound identity is defined by a 'less is more' approach to production, utilizing vintage gear to achieve a gritty, authentic 1970s warmth. Critically, they are lauded for revitalizing the soul-revue format without falling into pastiche, maintaining a contemporary relevance through David's deeply personal and spiritual lyricism. They occupy a vital space in the European soul scene, bridging the gap between traditional church music and modern festival-ready funk.