INGRID MICHAELSON

After releasing four well received albums and having music feature heavily on a string of television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill, one could forgive any musician for presuming they had nailed their songwriting craft. New York based indie-pop singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson however, had set herself even greater artistic challenges which led to the release of her most personal album to date. “Human Again means a great deal to me. I feel like I was very sad and very lost for a long time, then I met my now husband, and I feel like it restored me in many ways,” says Michaelson in reference to the album title. “There’s something about falling in love that makes you feel alive.”

Considered to belong to the musical ilk of Feist and Regina Spektor, Human Again reached comparable heights of recognition as the album reached number one on the US Indie charts after its January release this year. It’s an accomplishment brought about by a desire to sonically set the bar higher than her previous work. “My producer David Kahne asked me why I didn’t sing on my records the way I sing live, and that my previous records were very contained and safe vocally. It kind of sparked something in me and I just took that as a challenge.” This led to an expanded production process where Michaelson wrote most of the album while recording and included greater instrumentation and arrangements, evolving her sound from the catchy commercial music that audiences began associating her with, to something darker and more passionate: “There’s nothing wrong with it, but I wanted to have a bolder, more brazen record and that’s what I did with the help of David Kahne.”

On the topic of Michaelson’s pending return to Australia, she looks back fondly over her sold out 2010 tour. “The audiences are so funny, laid-back and warm. It really brings out the best in me as a performer because I love engaging with an audience and having that energy and that sort of ‘back and forth’.” Connecting with audiences is an integral element of Michaelson’s live shows. “Hopefully there’ll be a lot of conversation… I’m definitely looking forward to it- that is for sure.”

Sep 14, 8pm, Metro Theatre, $53, 9550 3666, metrotheatre.com.au