Spring Break
Ingrid Michaelson makes it big
Samantha Tosado
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Entertainment
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playing with Matthew Perryman Jones
at the House of Blues
(Cambridge Room)
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 9:30 p.m.
$12
You've heard her music everywhere: Old Navy commercials, VH1 and even the background music on the acclaimed episodes of "Grey's Anatomy."
You can't seem to get her song lyrics out of your head, but who is this girl? The singer-songwriter's name is Ingrid Michaelson, a 28-year-old native from Staten Island, N.Y.
Michaelson was discovered last October through MySpace by a licensing company that specializes in finding little-known artists and placing their songs on television shows, commercials and movies. Michaelson has come a long way since then.
"It's a dream come true," said Michaelson.
She has already distributed two albums, Slow the Rain and Girls and Boys. She has performed on countless television shows, including "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Last Call with Carson Daly." She has also graced the cover of Billboard.
Michaelson described her first album, Slow the Rain, as "low key."
"I just wanted to get something out there," she said. "I'm not crazy about it, but it's still a part of me."
Michaelson was directing children's theater and had left that job in May of 2007 to pursue her career in music. She believes that although "Grey's Anatomy" was her first big break, the Old Navy commercial that debuted in November really got her out there. However, the commercial only aired for two weeks.
"It did so well though," Michaelson said. "It's really cool because so many people heard the song through the commercial."
The most unique thing about Michaelson's career is that she doesn't have a record deal and isn't looking for one anytime soon either. She just wants to make music for people to listen to and enjoy.
"Everything is going really well right now," she said. "I have control."
Michaelson explained that she doesn't feel as though she needs a record deal and is doing just fine without one.
As for advice on getting yourself out there through Web sites and blogs, Michaelson confessed that luck is a hard thing to give advice on.
"There was a point where I knew it was OK if I didn't get out there," Michaelson said.
"As long as I'm creating music, I'm happy," she added.
Contact all reporter Samantha Tosado at stosado@kent.edu.
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