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Ingrid Michaelson

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Ingrid Michaelson
Photo of Ingrid Michaelson taken by Heather Gershonowitz
photo by Heather Gershonowitz
Background information
Birth nameIngrid Ellen Michaelson[1]
Born(1979-12-08)December 8, 1979
New York City, U.S.[2]
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
Years active2004–present
LabelsCabin 24 Records
Spouse(s)
(m. 2011; div. 2015)
Partner(s)Will Chase (2015–present)
Websiteingridmichaelson.com

Ingrid Ellen Michaelson is an American singer, songwriter, composer, and actress.

Born in New York City and raised by her mother, a sculptor, and her father, a classical composer, Ingrid Michaelson has artistry in her DNA. Known for her uniquely delicate and comforting voice and songs that tug heartstrings, the emotional honesty of her music is universally relatable. Remaining fiercely independent, she has released 8 albums on the label she founded, Cabin 24 Records, including her platinum hits "The Way I Am," "Girls Chase Boys," and "You and I." She has scored songs for television, including Little Fires Everywhere (Emmy nominated) and Tiny Beautiful Things (both for Hulu), and was executive music producer for Apple TV+’s Slumberkins, creating original songs for the series. Michaelson was recently seen as a guest star in Season 3 of Netflix’s Girls5Eva, and starred in the indie film Humor Me alongside co-stars Jemaine Clement and Elliott Gould. She made her Broadway on-stage debut in Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 and recently made her Broadway debut as a composer in 2024 writing the music and lyrics for the Tony-nominated musical, The Notebook. The Original Broadway Cast Recording, released via Atlantic, reached #1 on Billboard’s Cast Albums Chart. Michaelson is set to release her 9th studio album, For the Dreamers, on August 23.[4]

Early life[edit]

Michaelson is half Swedish[5] and was born in 1979 in New York City[2] to artistic parents. Her father, Carl Michaelson, was a manager of copyrights for the publishing company Carl Fischer Music and a composer on the side ("The Praise of Christmas").[2] Her mother, Elizabeth Egbert, was a sculptor, of Dutch ancestry.[6] As a child, Michaelson performed in a musical theatre group called Staten Island Kids On Stage.[7] She took up piano at age 4, and trained until age seven at Manhattan's Third Street Music School, continuing for many more years at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island's Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute. While there she met vocal coach Elizabeth McCullough, who worked with her through high school.[8]

Michaelson is a graduate of Staten Island Technical High School and Binghamton University, where she received a degree in theater.[8] While at Binghamton University, she was a member of the Binghamtonics, a co-ed a cappella group, as well as the Pappy Parker Players, an improv comedy group, and the theatre repertory company under Sue Peters. Her time at Binghamton is mentioned in her song "The Hat."

Musical career[edit]

2006–08: Girls and Boys[edit]

In 2006, Michaelson independently released her second album, Girls and Boys. The album, like her previous music, was streamed on Myspace. A music producer from the ABC drama Grey's Anatomy found her music online. After being contacted by the music producer, Michaelson began to be approached by several record companies. Wanting to retain all of the rights she had as an independent artist, Michaelson developed a deal with Original Signal Recordings, acting as the marketing and distribution arm for Michaelson's label. Through Original Signal, Michaelson re-released Girls and Boys into mainstream marketing on September 18, 2007. It peaked at #63 on the Billboard charts[9] and received positive reviews from critics.[10][11] Additionally, in 2007, "The Way I Am", a song from the album, was featured in an Old Navy commercial. The 30-second ad played on the major US networks and most prime-time shows for a few days. In less than 3 weeks, more than 65 appearances in prime-time had been made, including 17 season premieres.[12] In 2007, Ingrid played her first Holiday Hop, an annual Christmas concert in New York City.

2008–10: Be OK and Everybody[edit]

In 2008, Michaelson released her third album, and first compilation album, Be OK, a charity record to support cancer research.[13] In 2009, Michaelson released her fourth album, Everybody. Everybody debuted on #18 on the Billboard charts.[citation needed] It features the single "Maybe".

2010–12: Parachute and Human Again[edit]

Signage announcing Michaelson at the Wiltern 2012

In 2010, Michaelson digitally released the single "Parachute", a song that she wrote but was recorded by Cheryl Cole on Cole's album 3 Words. The song has not been featured on any albums, but is available on both iTunes and Amazon. In 2012, Michaelson released her fifth album, Human Again. Human Again debuted at #5 on the Billboard charts and received very positive reviews, with critics praising the album's unique sound. Michaelson's first tour leg for the album, The Human Again Tour, was sold out almost every night of the tour. After the first tour, Michaelson continued to tour on 3 other legs, two in North America, and one across the world. The first leg of Michaelson's tour was held from April to May. The second leg, The Human Again Summer Tour, was held from June to August. The Third Leg, The Human Again Fall Tour, began in September. Michaelson also played 3 shows in Australia, where Human Again was the first formally released record of hers.

In September 2012, she was featured in a campaign called "30 Songs / 30 Days" to support Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, a multi-platform media project inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book.[14]

2014–2015: Lights Out[edit]

On February 4, 2014, Michaelson released the lead single, "Girls Chase Boys", from her album Lights Out. The song reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Afterlife" and "Time Machine" were released as the second and third singles.

On April 25, 2014, Lights Out was released. The deluxe edition, which was released in November later that year, contains an additional six bonus tracks.

2016–2017: It Doesn't Have To Make Sense and Alter Egos[edit]

Michaelson on the "Hell No Tour", 2016

On April 29, 2016, Michaelson released the song "Hell No".[15] It serves as the lead single from her seventh studio album, It Doesn't Have to Make Sense, which was released on August 26, 2016, through Cabin 24 Records.[16] In July she released a second video of "Hell No," which incorporates members of the Deaf West theater company performing the lyrics in American Sign Language.[17] In support of the album, Michaelson embarked on the "Hell No Tour" beginning October 6, 2016, in Cincinnati, OH.[18]

On 12 May 2017, a 5-track EP titled Alter Egos was released. It consists of re-worked songs from It Doesn't Have to Make Sense with guest vocalists on each track.

In 2017, Michaelson contributed "Smallest Light" and "Stay Right Where You Are" to the soundtrack for the film The Space Between Us.[19]

2018–2019: Ingrid Michaelson's Songs for the Season and Stranger Songs[edit]

On 26 October 2018, Michaelson released a Christmas album called Ingrid Michaelson's Songs for the Season.[20] In January 2019, Michaelson announced she was composing the score for a musical adaptation of The Notebook.[21] On May 10, 2019, she released "Missing You", which served as the lead single off of her ninth studio album, Stranger Songs. Michaelson first announced the album in January 2018, writing that it would be inspired by the Netflix series Stranger Things.[22] The album was released on June 28, 2019.

2020-present: Television & Broadway Composer[edit]

In July 2020, Michaelson was nominated for her first Emmy Award[23] in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category[24] for the song "Build it Up", written specifically for the finale of Hulu's hit miniseries Little Fires Everywhere.[25]

Michaelson partnered with collaborators Juan Ariza and Gabriel Mann to compose an original song "Not Gone," a cover of "Closer to Fine" and the score for the Hulu miniseries Tiny Beautiful Things.[26] The show received two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Kathryn Hahn and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Merritt Wever.[27]

Michaelson served as executive music producer for Apple TV+’s Slumberkins, creating original songs for the series with her bandmates Allie Moss, Hannah Winkler, and Billy Libby.[28]

In January 2019, Michaelson announced she was writing the music and lyrics for the musical adaptation of The Notebook.[29][30] After its world premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2022, the musical found its way to Broadway, officially opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 14, 2024.[31] "Carry Me Home" won a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite New Song.[32] The musical received three Tony nominations for the 77th Tony Awards.[33]

2024: For the Dreamers[edit]

Michaelson has released a string of singles from her forthcoming album For the Dreamers due to release August 23, 2024. She released "Love Is" with Jason Mraz on Feb 2, a cover of the classic song "What a Wonderful World" on May 23, and "It Never Ends" on May 30.

Collaborations[edit]

Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles
Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles (photos by Shervin Lainez)

In 2006, Michaelson teamed up with William Fitzsimmons on his album Goodnight, which was released that same year.

Michaelson and her friend Sara Bareilles co-wrote "Winter Song" which was featured on The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs, a compilation of both original recordings as well as classic holiday tracks sung by a lineup of female singer-songwriters. Michaelson performed "Winter Song" with Bareilles for President Obama and his family as well as many spectators at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in December 2010. In 2011, "Winter Song" reached #2 on the Irish Singles Chart.[34]

In 2010, Michaelson co-wrote the song "Parachute" with Marshall Altman which was covered by British singer Cheryl Cole on her debut solo album 3 Words; it peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart. Michaelson initially believed the track was "so poppy" that she could not release it herself. However, after the song was reworked by "Everybody" producer Dan Romer to make a more "interesting, funky production", Michaelson released the song as a personal single.[35] There are two different music videos for the song.

In 2012, Michaelson and Laswell co-wrote and sang the duet "Landline", which appeared on his album of the same name.

In 2016, Michaelson and AJR co-wrote their single "The Lotto" before AJR supported Michaelson on her 30-date Hell No Tour.[36]

In 2017, Michaelson released the Alter Egos EP, a collection of reimagined songs from her album It Doesn't Have to Make Sense featuring collaborations with Sara Bareilles, Tegan and Sara, AJR, Lucius, and The Civil Wars' John Paul White.[37]

Ingrid Michaelson and Jason Mraz "Christmas Valentine" (photo by Shervin Lainez)
Ingrid Michaelson and Jason Mraz "Christmas Valentine" (photo by Shervin Lainez)

In 2018, Michaelson collaborated with Christina Perri, Grace VanderWaal, Leslie Odom Jr., and Will Chase on her holiday album Ingrid Michaelson's Songs for the Season.[38] The deluxe version of the album was released in 2021 and features collaborations with Jason Mraz and Zooey Deschanel. Ingrid and Jason Mraz originally released "Christmas Valentine" as an Amazon Original single on Nov 14, 2019 before the song was added to the deluxe version of Songs for the Season in 2021.[39][40]

In 2020, Ingrid featured on an acoustic version of Ben Rector's song "It Would Be You."[41]

In 2021, Ingrid Michaelson collaborated with British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik on the single "To Begin Again". The song was released on March 17, 2021.

In 2022, Michaelson featured on Ariza's song "The Sky and Me." Later that year, Michaelson collaborated with the Grammy Award-winning duo A Great Big World on an original song called "It's Almost Christmas," released on November 11, 2022.[42]

In 2024, Ingrid Michaelson and Jason Mraz teamed up, once again, to release an original song called "Love Is." Michaelson later announced the single was to be part of her forthcoming album, For the Dreamers, releasing August 23, 2024.[43]

Band Members[edit]

Past and present band members include Allie Moss (guitar and background vocals), Hannah Winkler (keys and background vocals), Chris Kuffner (bass), Bess Rogers (guitar), Saul Simon MacWilliams (keys), Billy Libby (guitar and background vocals), Sarab Singh (drums), and Elliot Jacobson (drums).

Broadway[edit]

Ingrid Michaelson at the Broadway opening night of The Notebook Musical
Michaelson at the Broadway Opening Night of The Notebook: The Musical, March 14, 2024 (Photo by Michaelah Reynolds)

Michaelson made her Broadway debut playing the role of Sonya Rostova in the Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 from July 3 to August 13, 2017.[44]

In January 2019, Michaelson announced she was writing the music and lyrics for the musical adaptation of The Notebook.[29][30] After its world premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2022, the musical found its way to Broadway, officially opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 14, 2024.[31][45] "Carry Me Home" won a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite New Song.[32] The musical received three Tony nominations for the 77th Tony Awards.[33]

Film & Television[edit]

Michaelson made her film debut in the comedy film Humor Me alongside co-stars Jemaine Clement and Elliott Gould, which was released January 12, 2018.[46]

Michaelson recently made a guest appearance in Season 3 of Netflix's Girls5Eva, playing the role of Pixie, a folk singer-songwriter.[47]

Personal life[edit]

Michaelson married fellow musician Greg Laswell in 2011.[48] They divorced in 2015.[49]

In late 2015, Michaelson announced her relationship with film and stage actor Will Chase.[50]

Michaelson identifies as a feminist.[51]

Discography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Michaelson, Ingrid Ellen Egbert. "Songwriter/Composer: MICHAELSON INGRID ELLEN EGBERT". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music. Gale. May 5, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7876-9617-7. Ingrid Ellen Michaelson was born on [...] 1979, in New York City. Her father, Carl Michaelson, worked as manager of copyrights for the music publisher Carl Fischer and composed music on the side ...
  3. ^ Chretien, Joseph. "Michaelson in Fine Form on 'Human'". Times Record News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "Ingrid Michaelson announces 'For the Dreamers,' her first new album in five years". silive.com. May 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Conversations: 'The Sweater Song' Singer Ingrid Michaelson". The Washington Post. August 30, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  6. ^ "Elizabeth Egbert". Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  7. ^ Rosky, Nicole. "BWW Interview: Ingrid Michaelson Finds Her Way to Broadway by the Light of THE GREAT COMET". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Baby, Remember Her Name Archived June 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Staten Island Advance AWE. (May 24, 2007). Retrieved on August 14, 2007.
  9. ^ "Billboard - Music Charts, News, Photos & Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012.
  10. ^ "Music Review: Ingrid Michaelson – Girls and Boys – Blogcritics Music". Blogcritics.org. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  11. ^ Joyce, Mike (November 16, 2007). "INGRID MICHAELSON "Girls and Boys" Cabin 24". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  12. ^ Werde, Bill (January 12, 2008). "Ingrid Michaelson: The Way She is – the End of the Old Music Business? Or the Face of the New One?". Billboard. pp. 24–26.
  13. ^ "Ingrid Michaelson – Biography | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  14. ^ "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide". Halftheskymovement.org. August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  15. ^ "Hell No: Ingrid Michaelson: Music". ASIN B01EPN1TMK. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  16. ^ "It Doesn't Have to Make Sense - Ingrid Michaelson". AllMusic. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  17. ^ Nelson, Jeff (July 19, 2016). "Ingrid Michaelson Recruits Deaf and Hard of Hearing Actors to Perform ASL in New 'Hell No' Music Video". people.com.
  18. ^ "Ingrid Michaelson: Tour". IngridMichaelson.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  19. ^ "The Space Between Us: Soundtrack". imdb.com. 2017.
  20. ^ Glicksman, Josh (September 18, 2018). "Ingrid Michaelson on Her New Holiday Single and When It's OK to Play Christmas Music: 'I Have Pretty Strict Rules'". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  21. ^ Kinane, Ruth (January 3, 2019). "Musical adaptation of 'The Notebook' in the works with music by Ingrid Michaelson". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  22. ^ Romano, Nick (January 17, 2018). "'Stranger Things' inspires 'Stranger Songs' album from Ingrid Michaelson". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  23. ^ Willman, Chris (July 28, 2020). "Emmy Music Nominations Include Dual Score/Song Nods for Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Labrinth; Nathan Barr Earns Three (See Complete List)". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  24. ^ "Ingrid Michaelson". Television Academy. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  25. ^ "How Ingrid Michaelson Penned a Perfect Song for 'Little Fires Everywhere'". variety.com. April 22, 2020.
  26. ^ "'Grey's Anatomy' Fave Singer/Songwriter Ingrid Michaelson To Score 'Tiny Beautiful Things' On Hulu". March 3, 2023.
  27. ^ "Tiny Beautiful Things: Awards & Nominations". March 3, 2023.
  28. ^ "Apple TV+ debuts trailer today for the heartwarming preschool series "Slumberkins" from The Jim Henson Company, with original music from Emmy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, premiering globally on Friday, November 4". October 17, 2022.
  29. ^ a b Fierberg, Ruthie (January 3, 2019). "Ingrid Michaelson Is Writing a Musical Adaptation of The Notebook". Playbill. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  30. ^ a b Reitman, Shelby (January 3, 2019). "'The Notebook' Heads to Broadway, With Songs by Ingrid Michaelson". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  31. ^ a b Masseron, Meg; Gans, Andrew (August 3, 2023). "The Notebook Musical Will Come to Broadway This Spring". Playbill.com.
  32. ^ a b Staff, Broadway.com (May 20, 2024). "Merrily We Roll Along, The Great Gatsby and More Win Big at 2024 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards". Broadway.com.
  33. ^ a b Shermin, Rachel (April 30, 2024). "Tony Awards Nominations 2024: The Complete List". New York Times.
  34. ^ "Irish Top 50 Singles". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on December 10, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  35. ^ Greenblatt, Leah (October 18, 2010). "Ingrid Michaelson's 'Parachute' video: An EW exclusive premiere". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2012 – via EW.com.
  36. ^ Secret Road (October 12, 2016). "Catch Ingrid Michaelson on the 'Hell No' Tour this Fall". secretroad.com.
  37. ^ LeDonne, Rob (May 17, 2017). "Ingrid Michaelson On Her Collaborative New EP 'Alter Egos' & Upcoming Projects". Billboard Magazine – via Billboard.com.
  38. ^ Bajgrowicz, Brooke (October 26, 2018). "Ingrid Michaelson's New Christmas Album 'Songs for the Season' Feat. Christina Perri, Grace VanderWaal & More: Stream It Now". Billboard Magazine – via Billboard.com.
  39. ^ Fuller, Eric (November 5, 2021). "Ingrid Michaelson Loves Christmas Music. Her Songs For The Season Deluxe Edition Just Dropped Today". Forbes Magazine – via Forbes.com.
  40. ^ Reuter, Annie (November 25, 2019). "Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz Debut Festive, Animated 'Christmas Valentine' Video: Exclusive". Billboard Magazine – via Billboard.com.
  41. ^ Secret Road (November 25, 2019). "Ben Rector and Ingrid Michaelson Release "It Would Be You (Acoustic)"". secretroad.com.
  42. ^ Wild, Stephi (February 2, 2022). "Listen: Ingrid Michaelson and Jason Mraz Reunite For New Single 'Love Is'". Broadway World – via Broadwayworld.com.
  43. ^ xsnoise (November 14, 2022). "INGRID MICHAELSON teams up with Grammy Award-winning duo A GREAT BIG WORLD for new single 'It's Almost Christmas'". XS Noise – via xsnoise.com.
  44. ^ Mink, Casey (June 16, 2017). "Ingrid Michaelson to Join B'way's 'Great Comet' + More Projects Announced". Backstage. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  45. ^ Masseron, Meg (March 16, 2024). "The Look Book: Blues Dominated the Red Carpet of The Notebook". Playbill.com.
  46. ^ Priola, Victoria (January 11, 2018). "Ingrid Michaelson makes film debut in 'Humor Me' this weekend". Staten Island Entertainment. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  47. ^ Spilde, Coleman (March 14, 2024). "'Girls5eva' Season 3 Is a '30 Rock'-Like Comedy Miracle". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  48. ^ Rodman, Sarah (May 31, 2014). "Friends help Ingrid Michaelson move ahead". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  49. ^ "Ingrid Michaelson and Husband Separate". MSN. February 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  50. ^ Marquina, Sierra (July 7, 2015). "Ingrid Michaelson Dating Will Chase Following Split: Photo". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  51. ^ Tam, Ruth (February 8, 2014). "Ingrid Michaelson: 'I've never called myself a feminist, I just was one since birth.'". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 28, 2015.

External links[edit]