Michelle at the grand piano at Tiny Telephone, seen past the open lid, wearing violet teardrop sunglasses.

Michelle Zhang · the debut EP

Confessionsof a Perfectionist

Three songs for piano and voice.
Out October 9, 2026.

Listen to the songs Recital · Oct 25

Drag across the glassTouch the glass

A note from Michelle

I've played music my whole life. But I never gave myself permission to be a musician.

This EP is my journey to change that.

It's me listening to my inner voice, and setting her free.

Michelle

Three songs

The confessions, in order

Listening back in the control room

Technicolour Life

Track 1 · 4:13

This song is the most personal to me, because it's a story about my life. As a kid, I had a Technicolour dream of leaving my hometown to chase that Technicolour life in the US. Then to consulting and tech, for the money and the job titles. Only to realize it was a Technicolour lie.

What inspired this song was a Chinese phrase etched on the rocks at Northwestern's lakeshore. It said: 世界再大，也要回家 (No matter how big the world, still need to go home). It struck a chord with me then, and it still resonates with me now.

It took me so long to know, I was lost but now I'm found.
No matter how big the world, it's time to go home now.
So goodbye… Technicolour life.

Listen to a clip3:17 – 3:38

Piano take, live room

Perfect is Pain

Track 2 · 4:05

It prominently features the piano, with fluttering chords on the right hand, and rolling arpeggios on the left hand. Writing this song was self-therapy. I always knew I was a perfectionist. I'm a Virgo born in the year of the Snake, a double whammy of perfectionism. Singing this song soothes my inner critic and relieves me of my overthinking.

The world is so much more than black and white, I feel the light of gray.
I don't want to be perfect, no need to be perfect.
I'm just fine, the way I am, no pain.

Listen to a clip3:22 – 3:41

Vocal take, the booth

Siren

Track 3 · 3:17

I re-wrote this song in the wake of my layoff (while on mat leave). There was something about the quiet injustice of it all that made me want to speak my truth more loudly. I don't want to be the dainty mermaid that follows the rules anymore. I want to be a Siren. Loud, fierce, alluring.

Mesmerizing, tantalizing, got you on your knees.
I'm a Siren… you will remember me.

Listen to a clip2:28 – 2:45

Where it was made

Tiny Telephone, Oakland

The live room at Tiny Telephone: a black grand piano on Persian rugs in front of a wall of books and hanging guitars. — The live room

In Oakland, there's an unmarked warehouse covered with graffiti. It looks nondescript, almost abandoned. But inside is a spacious and bright recording studio called Tiny Telephone.

Michelle seated at the grand piano across the live room, microphones set up around it. — Piano first

My producer and I decided to record one song at a time. Piano first, then vocals. And add harmonies / other instrumentation later.

Michelle in a white dress at the mixing console, hand on hip, wearing the teardrop sunglasses. — At the console

Now I have 3 fully produced songs, ready to be shared with you. It’s truly a culmination of all that I’m capable of musically.

I can hear some minor imperfections here and there, but I’m going to heed my own refrain to let that go.

Launch recital

An afternoon of Confessions, live.

When: Sunday, October 25
3–5 pm
Where: Community Music Center
544 Capp Street, the Mission
San Francisco

This is a private recital. If you'd like to be there, ask for an invite.

About

Michelle Zhang

Michelle Zhang is a singer-songwriter based in San Francisco. Classically trained, hip hop inspired. Her music blends pop, jazz, R&B, and classical, shaped by growing up between China, Canada, and the US. She holds an ARCT diploma from The Royal Conservatory of Music, was music director of the Treblemakers a cappella group, and has written more than fifty songs. You may know her from the #safeforworksongs she posts on LinkedIn.

Written & performed by: Michelle Zhang
Produced by: Danielle Goldsmith
Recorded at: Tiny Telephone, Oakland
Published by: RoundnRound (ASCAP)

世界再大，也要回家

No matter how big the world, it's time to go home now.

Confessions of a Perfectionist · Out October 9, 2026