Introspection led Ingrid Michaelson to write the songs on her current release, “Girls and Boys.”
Nothing unusual about that, until you look at the titles of the first three tracks: “Die Alone,” “Masochist” and “Breakable.” What gives?
“When I wrote ?Die Alone,? I didn?t have anyone in my life, and I didn?t think it was going to happen,” Michaelson said. “But when you listen to that song, it is totally a love song.”
That sort of dichotomy is perhaps what sets Michaelson apart from the many other indie artists who have found some degree of fame via MySpace.
In Michaelson?s case, the music works because it seems so deceptively simple ? classic tales of love, heartbreak, longing ? set to catchy rhythms and lilting vocals. It seems almost effortless, but scrutinize the sound, and you hear a complexity that is rare, especially from new indie artists.
Perhaps that?s because music is almost second nature to Michaelson, the child of a musician and sculptor who has studied piano and voicesince childhood.
She accepted her musical destiny after dreams of the theater faded with each casting call rejection.
“When I was auditioning, I just started thinking [music] is better for me,” she said. “This is more where I lie.”
So Michaelson taught herself guitar and became serious about writing music. For a few years, she said, she “played around a bit at clubs” where the audience mainly consisted of friends and family.
But last summer, some industry kudos gave her the confidence to record an album.
Now, Michaelson, who is signed with a management group and touring, has seen some of her music used in television shows.
“We don?t know McDreamy from McSteamy, but we know a perfect pop artifact when we hear one,” wrote the Philadelphia Inquirer, when Michaelson?s song “Keep Breathing” was featured on the season finale of “Grey?s Anatomy.”
Michaelson is remarkably modest about the achievement.
“Getting national exposure is great,” she said. “But you have to go beyond the hype. You have to develop a fan base and find people who care about you as a musician and really listen to your music. That?s how you don?t become a flash in the pan.”
If you go
Ingrid Michaelson with William Fitzsimmons
» Venue: Rams Head on Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis
» When: 8 p.m. Sunday
» Tickets: $13; ramsheadonstage.com; 410-268-4545
