French Letters

At the forefront of the group are the lyrics of Michael Crossley, whose writing style is at once forthright and visceral, yet vulnerable and beautiful. Guitarists Michael Puglisi and Connor O’Brien cull from a pallet of influences that range from gritty blues, rootsy Americana, and the late, great rock ‘n roll to serve as the perfect obbligato to Crossley’s lyrics. The band is rounded out by the intensely dynamic rhythm section of Courtney Steitz’s driving, hook-laden bass lines and Luke Steitz’s authoritative back beat.

French Letters originated in Seattle, WA in the summer of 2009 when poet Michael Crossley was asked to perform at a friend’s art opening. Enlisting the help of a co-worker who played guitar, Crossley read his poems over John E. Naffah’s jazzy blues riffs. Excited by the success of their performance, the duo asked their friend Luke Steitz to record at his studio. During the session Luke couldn’t help but jump on the drums and play a few songs with them, then mention that he had a friend named Michael Puglisi who had his master’s degree in jazz guitar. Luke’s wife, Courtney, was added on bass and the band was complete. They put together the tracks that became In Tongues (2011). Shortly after, John E. left the band to focus on family and Connor O’Brien thankfully stepped in to fill the gap. They put out the EP Here There Be Serpents (2013) and then evolved their sound into some seriously fun rock ‘n roll with No Evil Star (2014).