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Ingrid Michaelson is performing at Iron City on June 5. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)All the broken hearts in the world still beat, let’s not make it harder than it has to be,” singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson says to radio listeners on her single, “Girls Chase Boys.”
According to Billboard, Michaelson, a native of Staten Island, N.Y. began her journey to frequent radio play around ten years ago. “Grey’s Anatomy” producers discovered her music on the internet—launching her career as a songwriter and performer known for her witty, romantic style.
Now on her sixth album, Ingrid Michaelson will begin her tour for “Lights Out” on June 1. The singer gave Kaleidoscope a phone call from Brooklyn, N.Y., to discuss her upcoming tour, her album and her music in general.
Kscope: What’s your first stop on tour?
We have a rehearsal that we are inviting bands to come to: the dress rehearsal, the last rehearsal. But the actual, proper first show is in D.C.
Kscope: Are there any places that you are really looking forward to on the tour?
We did Summer Stage in Central Park last year and it was amazing...We’re playing at Red Rocks with Ben Folds, and that one is probably the most beautiful, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, so I’m excited about being there for sure...And Alabama!
Kscope: Thanks for the shout out! What makes “Lights Out” different from your other albums?
I used to write all the music myself and I was very kind of isolated in it. This time I wanted to collaborate with a lot of different people and different producers. It gave me a really beautiful, collaborative result that I’ve never had before because I always kept control of the writing process...It became really cohesive and collaborative.
Kscope: Your previous albums have featured an almost “beachy” sound due to ukulele. This album has a polished pop sound. What inspired that change?
I think I’ve been moving towards that for the past two records or so. I don’t really go into a record saying ‘this is what I want it to sound like;’ it depends on how the song gets produced. I think it depends on where I am creatively in my head and what I’m looking to.
Kscope: I know a lot of this album is about love and heartbreak, [especially] the lead song “Girls Chase Boys.” What do you want your fans to get out of the album or learn from it?
I don’t know if I necessarily write music for people to learn something. What I learned early on is that everything I’m feeling, everyone else has felt. It’s more of a bonding experience...I like the idea of somebody feeling a little less alone. I think that’s what my aim is.
Kscope: Do you prefer the writing process of producing a record or touring and performing?
They’re so different because they’re completely opposite...I think if I had to choose one for the rest of my life it would be writing. Because touring is hard on you, it takes a lot out of you, but at the same time, there is nothing like playing a show.
It’s this high that you get that you don’t get from anything else. It’s a hard question because I love both of them. I think I can handle the writing more often, but touring I would probably miss greatly if I didn’t do it ever again.
Kscope: You are coming to Iron City in Birmingham in June. For our Birmingham readers, is there any one question that you would like to know about the city?
I mean, the one thing we always look for in places is where is the best place to eat. So where is your best place to eat?
Kscope: Is there anything else about your new tour or new album that you are excited about?
Just that the tour is going to be a lot bigger in scope. We are going to have more stage design and lighting. We are going to keep a lot of intimate moments, but we are going to step it up in terms of production. We’re just excited about this.
Ingrid Michaelson will play at Iron City on June 5 with Jukebox the Ghost and Oh Honey. The doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets at the door are $30.
