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no labels needed
interview with independent artist Ingrid Michaelson
by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
What: Ingrid Michealson and Matt nathanson
WhERE: Jack Rabbits in San Marco (1528 hendricks
ave)
WhEn: Friday, January 25th
Staten Island, New York native Ingrid Michaelson
is a talented 28-year old singer/songwriter who
rose from obscurity to prominence by using the
Internet as her only promotional medium. In fact,
Ingrid is the archetypal independent artist whose
self-produced album Girls and Boys reached number
2 on the iTunes pop chart. Ingrid was contacted by
a producer for ABC Television’s Grey’s Anatomy
through her MySpace site to write music for the
show’s season finale. Most new artists work for
years to get these major breaks, but Ingrid has the
goods – catchy intimate pop songs that capture the
imagination of the twenty-something generation.
Most of Ingrid’s shows sellout without advertising.
Indeed, Ingrid’s amazing success proves the
power of the rapidly expanding Internet, which enables
an artist of Ingrid’s songwriting prowess to
reach out and touch the right people. However, Ingrid
does not take this fast track to the major leagues for
granted. She continues to tour and expose her music
to live audiences. Clearly, Ingrid’s music speaks for
itself, as she nightly lays bare her soul through her
cleverly conceived songs. More importantly, Ingrid
is realistic to know that the public is fickle and her
popularity could wane overnight. Yet, she continues
to write personal songs with which young people
identify.
Becoming a pop star is not why Ingrid writes
songs. She would do it anyway, whether she made
an impact on the music business or not, but after
talking to her via telephone, I’m convinced Ingrid Michaelson
will become a household name very soon.
Remaining an independent artist and answering to
no one is presently Ingrid’s main goal.
“I’ve played piano all my life but I went to college
to study theater. I was going to be an actor, but
when I was doing it, I became disillusioned. Since
I had been writing music, I decided to pursue that
as my profession. I had more control and I didn’t
have to wait around on directors to decide what to
do. I just felt that songwriting was more of a calling
than theater. I started out with a website, Facebook,
and MySpace and from there I got a commercial. A
producer from Grey’s Anatomy heard my music and
it was just what he wanted for the show’s season
finale. Today, it’s a trend for TV shows to use fresh
new songwriters for their shows.
“So, one thing led to another and then I was on
the cover of Billboard, and it snowballed from there.
Of course, while all this was happening, I was continuing
to tour the club circuit, where I was building
up my fan base. Being on iTunes really helped because
it’s instant gratification, directing the listener
to my site to buy the CD. It’s amazing how all three
mediums feed off each other creating a buzz. I’ve
become the poster child of the independent Internet
artist. I’m not opposed to perhaps signing with a
label in the future, but now it would be counterproductive.
“We have had major labels interested in us but
I’m not responding to those offers right now. The
slant of the Billboard piece was about me being an
independent artist using the Internet. So, I’m going
with that as my way of pushing forward. Later, if the
Internet is not working effectively, I’ll consider signing
with a label. But, the longer I stay independent,
the more certain I am that this is the way to go. I
have complete control as long as I have fans who
buy my music. The thing is, I love writing songs and
performing them to live audiences and as long as
I’m making a decent living, I’m content to be where
I am. I’m not sure I want more – what, to have my
name in huge lights? My point is–I’ll always do this
whether I make money doing it or not,” Ingrid said.
When I listened to Ingrid’s music I became
an instant fan. Her song ‘Keep Breathing’ gave me
goose bumps, which never happens to me anymore.
Ingrid draws the listener into her songwriting consciousness,
sharing with them the special feelings
that her songs evoke. For that few minutes, the listener
is one with Ingrid’s music.
Quest Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19
Robby Schenck Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551)
Unity Music Fest Metro Park, Jax
Mint Julep Box Seats, Jax (908-7328)
Blue Manatee Sangria’s, St. Augustine
Out of Hand Black Piston’s Clubhouse, Jax
Kelanie Gloeckler New Life Fellowship, Jax
Long Strange Day Club Fusion, St. Augustine
Shawn Fisher Starbucks/CR 210, Orange Park
The Impediments Creekside Dinery, St. Augustine
(829-6113)
McKenna Box Seats (908-7328)
The Dirty Getcaughts Freebird Live, Jax Beach
(246-2473)
Yankee Slickers Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-
6453)
Ritmo y Sabor El Taino Restaurant, Jax
Split Tone Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-
5515)
Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828)
The Legendary JC’s Mojo’s Kitchen, Jax Beach
Cannons Doozers Pub, Jax
Ryan Turk Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884)
Backrive Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850)
Johnny Flood Pussers Caribbean Grill, Ponte
Vedra
Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine
(824-9317)
Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855)
Dirty Shannon CD Release Freebird Live, Jax
Beach (246-2473)
The Essentialist Shantytown, Jax
Sweet Low Down Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach
Lindsey Lee Murray Hill Theatre, Jax (388-7807)
Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill,
Jax (287-9900)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20
Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555)
Ralph E & the Jammers Sun Dog Diner, Neptune
Beach (241-8221)
Dan Shepherd Harpoon Louie’s, Jax (389-5631)
Flyin South Michelle’s, Jax
Jim Brady Creekside Dinery, St. Augustine (829-
6113)
Violent Youth Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850)
Christina Wagner Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496)
Isaac Byrd Jr. De Real Ting Café, Jax
Tarik Hassan Sahara Café, Jax
David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955)
Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-
8646)
3rd Bass The Casbah, Jax (981-9966)
El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004)
eujacksonville.com | january 17-23, 2008 21