Indie pop crooner Ingrid Michaelson found fame in the unlikeliest of places —Old Navy. While her singles had already put the un-signed artist toward mainstream success, thanks to the January 2007 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, the national exposure via the clothing company streamlined her career—with a million downloads and a Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit. Unlike other indie artists who have found their way into mainstream success via “selling out” and overexposure, Michaelson was able to lap in the luxury of ultimate creative freedom, thanks to the television shows and advertisements who liked her just the way she was. If you love the soundtracks of Grey’s or simply can’t get enough of this singer/songwriter from New York, hit uphttp://www.stubhub.com/ingrid-michaelson-tickets for your Ingrid Michaelson tickets and more!
After the success of her second album, Girls and Boys, and under the pressure of keen fans, the artist released Be OK, a compilation of never before released singles along with some old-school covers (which even included a new version of her hit single “Way I Am”). The title track and video’s profits are benefiting Stand Up to Cancer, while part of the album’s profits go to the organization as well. “I wanted to put something out as a gift to my fans,” the 28-year-old singer told Songwriter Universe Magazine. “I still feel funny saying the word ‘fans,’ but people who’ve responded really strongly to my music know a lot of these songs because they’ve heard me play them live. A lot of people have said they really wanted to be able to have them to listen to, and I wanted to give them that.”
And though the singer first gained attention for not working with a major label, the independence has left her position in the music industry even more lucrative. Creating her own record label with manager Lynn Grossman, the indie artist found that the only real shot at seeing success was through a global distribution deal. The deal allows her albums to actually make it to stores, along with bonus promotions that hook up her with radio and surprise, surprise, connections with licensing companies that pitch her material to film supervisors. Without a major label, however, Michaelson is able to keep her creativity to the extreme, without big-time execs breathing down her neck. “The key to thriving as an indie is finding the right people to work with and who believe in you—but I don’t look down on artists who feel that a major is the best way for them. If I ever do hook up with a major, I would probably consider a joint venture which would allow me to retain my independence, keep rights to my songs and maintain artistic control.” Since the success via the hospital drama and a sweater advertisement, the soft rocker has seen her singles appear on WB’s One Tree Hill, as well as the soundtrack for the Sarah Jessica Parker hit Sex and the City: The Movie.
Written By Meaghan Clark
