If you're updating your outdoor living playlist for walking in the park, hiking on trails, or just driving through the countryside, Uproar Records' new artist may make a good addition.

Franklin, Tenn., senior Michelle Piland creates music using her love for people and the beauty of nature as her organic muse.

"A lot of my songs were inspired while in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of Colorado where my family goes every summer," Piland said. "I love enjoying God's creation away from the noise and busyness of life."

Beginning with her first song, which she wrote when she was 6, Piland said she always knew that she wanted to write songs. She recalled recording songs with her father, also a Baylor alumnus and songwriter, who had a studio in their home and has encouraged her writing.

Becoming more serious in high school, she wrote song using a guitar at 17 and began playing for audiences.

"My first paid performing gig was at a barbecue restaurant in a little mountain town called Lake City, Colorado, where my sister (Laura Piland) and I played every night in July (2008), after waiting tables," she said. "It was a lot of fun and gave me a lot of performing experience."

Piland tried out for B.R.A.N. (now known as the Uproar Network) her sophomore year at Baylor and landed on Uproar's first artist album her junior year with her original song "Drive."

Returning this year to release two new songs on the label's second album, she said that her experience with Uproar has been both beneficial and fun. Free marketing, promotion, and getting to know other great Baylor artists are just some of the perks she said comes with being on the label's roster.

Arlington senior Sarah Leyda, vice president of artist and repertoire for Uproar and Piland's manager, said Piland is an artist that everyone can relate to.

"She writes songs influenced by everyday life," Leyda said. "Combined with a positive outlook and honest lyrics, (Piland) captures the beauty of life through her music."

Recording in a studio other than her father's was a life-changing experience as well. Not being able to collaborate with her father, whom she was comfortable with, and working with a person unfamiliar to her posed a challenge.

"It felt like all the pressure was on me to get the song done," she said. "But, it was really good for me because I'm not always going to have my dad around, and it gives me kind of a different sound."

However this year Piland said she will be accompanied by her father in one of her songs.

Piland dreams of one day hearing one of her recordings played on the radio. In fact that dream is just one of many on her list of "100 things to do" in the future. Another includes playing at the Red Rock Amphitheatre in Denver.

"It's the only naturally occurring amphitheater, and that's just really cool," she said. "It's gorgeous and it's in Colorado, and I just love that state."

Piland hopes her music will be able to shine with Christ's love and that after her concerts, audiences will walk away feeling inspired by her lyrics.

Santo Rancho Margarita, Calif., junior Rachel Peterson agrees that Piland has the ability to exude in her songs an uplifting and positive spirit to the audience.

"Michelle has a natural gift for encouraging those around her," Peterson said. "She has a lot of wisdom to share and is able to share it because she lives a life full of integrity. She relates to people well and earns their trust."

Peterson also views Pilan's music as a picture of her life.

"Her music is just an extension of the way she lives life," Peterson said. "Through her singing and songwriting, she encourages, relates and shares deep insight with her listeners,and does so in a creative way."

Though Piland's days at Baylor are quickly becoming few, her plans after graduation will take her across the world and on more outdoor adventures.

"I'm going to India this summer," she said. "Also, I would love to guide backpacking trips anywhere where there are mountains and possibly through an organization that uses outdoor experiences as therapy for troubled teens."

She said she also hopes to live with her sister in Telluride, Colo., where she can "just enjoy being in the mountains" and "hopefully write a lot of songs."