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Hotel Cafe Tour Featuring Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Erin McCarley, Brooke Fraser & Katie Herzig
Tuesday October 21, 2008 at 8:00 PM
- 18+ Show -
Once just a small coffee shop, The Hotel Café has quickly blossomed into not only one of the premier singer/songwriter venues in the United States, but also been labeled “the place that breaks artists.” The artists surrounding The Hotel Café regard it as home, where lyrics, voice and a DIY approach rule. On any given night, you can find well known artists (such as: Weezer, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Death Cab For Cutie, KT Tunstall and many more) on the same bill with up-and-comers, playing both as solo artists and as a communal project, sometimes well rehearsed and sometimes in the heat of the moment, and more often than not, jamming into the wee hours of the morning.
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Find Hotel Cafe Tour Featuring Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Erin McCarley, Brooke Fraser & Katie Herzig on...
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Schedule
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Ingrid Michaelson
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8:00PM
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Meiko
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8:00PM
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Katie Herzig
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8:00PM
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Erin McCarley
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8:00PM
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Priscilla Ahn
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8:00PM
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Brooke Fraser
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8:00PM
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Ingrid Michaelson | 8:00 PM
 Ingrid Michaelson, a 28-year-old singer-songwriter whose self-produced album “Girls and Boys” reached No. 2 on the iTunes pop chart, is enjoying an enchanted transformation as a recording artist.
Ms. Michaelson’s climb out of obscurity started, as is so often the case these days, on the Internet. Now she is known to many “Grey’s Anatomy” fans for her quirky, heartfelt songs that were featured over the past year on the ABC television series. After a cross-country music tour, she is performing on Wednesday at the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan, and she pointed out that the concert sold out a month ago without any advertising. (She has added a concert on Feb. 15 at Webster Hall.)
Not bad for someone who, until May, was teaching in an after-school theater program in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island, where she still lives with her parents, a dog and a pet rabbit in the house she has inhabited since she was born.
“It’s so uncool, it’s cool,” said her mother, Elizabeth Egbert, the executive director of the Staten Island Museum.
Ms. Michaelson has inherited her mother’s dry wit, which she combines with youthful enthusiasm and a penchant for funky eyeglasses. “Apparently my glasses make me sound just like Lisa Loeb,” she deadpanned, alluding to articles that compared her to Ms. Loeb, a well-known singer.
Ms. Michaelson began her music career in 2002 as a barista at the Muddy Cup, a coffee bar and performance space in Stapleton, where she performed weekly. By 2003, she had produced her first album, “Slow the Rain,” and was playing at the Bitter End in Manhattan.
She called those shows a sobering experience. “I learned pretty quickly that just because you’re playing at a good venue doesn’t mean people are going to come see you,” she said.
So she decided to throw caution to the wind, or, more specifically, to the Internet. She completed “Girls and Boys” in 2006 and loaded the music onto a MySpace page, where it caught the attention of Lynn Grossman, the owner of Secret Road, a music licensing and artist management company in Los Angeles.
“I listened to her song ‘Breakable’ about 40 times in a row, and I completely fell in love with the song,” Ms. Grossman said, referring to a surprisingly buoyant song about human fragility.
Ms. Grossman’s visceral reaction to the material astonished her. After years in the music industry, she said, she had considered herself desensitized. “It’s really rare when something pierces through,” she said.
So she immediately contacted Ms. Michaelson, pledging to get a song on “Grey’s Anatomy,” which was Ms. Michaelson’s dream.
Yet Ms. Michaelson remained skeptical. “You get so many false promises from people that you don’t expect anything to happen,” she said.
But things did happen. And fast. Old Navy chose her song, “The Way I Am,” for a sweater commercial. VH1 selected her for its artist discovery program, making her the first unsigned artist to appear on the channel. And radio stations, including WPLJ-FM (95.5) in Manhattan, added her songs to their playlists.
“I had a three-year plan, and we achieved all those goals in 10 months,” Ms. Grossman said. As for “Grey’s Anatomy,” the series used not one but three of the songs from Ms. Michaelson’s album. Then the producers took the unusual step of asking her to try writing something specifically for the show.
She grabbed the opportunity and created “Keep Breathing,” a song that juxtaposes a plaintive melody with deceptively simple lyrics. “I like to say a lot in a very small amount of words,” Ms. Michaelson said.
The song played through the closing minutes of the season finale in May, with the last line, “All we can do is keep breathing,” repeating incessantly over layers of reverberating percussion and instrumentation.
“I love songs that have tension, tension, tension, and then release,” Ms. Michaelson said. “We feel it in our bodies. We hold in the tension, and then we release and exhale.”
After a whirlwind year, this might be a good time for Ms. Michaelson to exhale. But that’s easier said than done. The music business is notoriously unpredictable, and she is all too aware that her fairy tale success story did not happen by the book.
“I worry this is all going to disappear in a few months, and I’ll have to wait tables again,” she said. “I get anxiety-ridden, and I can’t relax.”
She took a breath and added, “I should sing my own songs to myself.” |
Meiko | 8:00 PM
 I grew up in Roberta, Georgia (pop. 808)...
I'd have to say my biggest influence is my dad. He played guitar and sang for me ever since I was a baby. His music was the only thing I ever listened to as a kid.
And...Whoever bought me that Mariah Carey tape "Emotions" did me a huge favor... I would practice singing to her every day. I owe my lucky ear to my dad and that tape.
The first time I sang in public was at an all black Southern Baptist church on Christmas eve when I was 8. For some reason I decided to sing "White Christmas..." I just recently realized the humor in that -- but luckily at the time, everyone thought it was cute...
Soon after, I started singing in talent shows and would do the National Anthem for opening day of little league baseball.
I would always act like i could play my dads Gibson -- 'till he was getting pissed that I kept knocking it around...So he bought me my very own guitar when I was 13. As soon as i learned a new chord -- i wrote a new song...And thats pretty much how it goes.
more >>> |
Katie Herzig | 8:00 PM
 From even the first note of a Katie Herzig tune, you know you've stumbled into something special. She just has a way with a song. Maybe it's the way she juxtaposes lyrical playfulness and whimsy with incredibly thoughtful depth and emotion. Maybe it's her stunning, delicately powerful voice. Maybe it's the sonic landscape that pulls from every direction. Doesn't really matter. The captivating effect is in full force.
Katie began her career while in college as the lead singer for Boulder-based Newcomers Home. That experience lasted for eight years and took her all across the US. The band released four solid CDs that sold some 15,000 copies and built them a loyal fan base. Not bad for a bunch of Colorado upstarts.
From that foundation, Katie set fully out on her own blazing the path with her 2005 solo debut Watch Them Fall. Produced with Chris Coleman, it's chock full of tender acoustic renderings that reveal the emotional inner-workings of a seeker of truth and love.
Not wasting any momentum or time, Katie moved to Nashville in 2006 and offered up Weightless which was self-recorded/produced and mixed by Gary Paczosa (Grammy-winning engineer/producer for Alison Krauss, Mindy Smith, and Nickel Creek). From the delightful romps that kick it off to the mesmerizing heart aches that slip in toward the end, it's a powerful journey that must be taken. If 'Diamond Ring' doesn't haunt you for days, you better check your pulse. You might actually be dead.
In support of Weightless, Katie has opened shows for The Fray and many others, while also making time for the PASTE Songwriters tour with Jeremy Lister, Sandra McCracken, and Matthew Perryman Jones. To take matters even further, Katie’s song “Heaven’s My Home” was nominated for a 2007 Grammy for Best Country Performance by the Duhks. She has also had TV placements on various shows including "Grey's Anatomy," "Smallville" and “ER.”
Wondering who her influences are? You just have to listen, for Katie's style begs a definition of its own.
"Katie Herzig possesses gravity-defying powers on her latest release, balancing heavy and mournful lyrics with light pop melodies that bounce and float into the stratosphere." -- Performing Songwriter, January/February 2008 |
Erin McCarley | 8:00 PM
 Erin McCarley calls the music on her debut album, Love, Save the Empty, a document of her search for authenticity in herself and in others. If that sounds heavy, there’s a reason why: According to McCarley, “Loving You” is about “being honest at the beginning of a new relationship and saying, ‘I have nothing left to give,’ to this amazing person standing right in front of me.” “Sleepwalking” profiles a cynic that can’t hear it come back his own way. For the title track, McCarley was inspired to write a song about the effects stemming from a lack of role models in a parentless world. And yet the 11 songs collected here (songs that ignited an industry-wide frenzy when McCarley performed them at SXSW earlier this year) pull off the trick that all great pop performs: They do heavy philosophical lifting with a lightness that boosts the spirit. This is elegantly crafted, deeply melodic music that resounds with echoes of the Beatles and Aimee Mann, Alanis Morissette and Amy Winehouse. McCarley grew up in the Dallas suburb of Garland, where she says her parents couldn’t have done a better job raising her and her older sister. “It was a very happy home with very little pain to deal with,” she explains, describing days filled with dance class and choir rehearsal. In a way, though, her ideal childhood led to an unexpected wake-up call later in life. “It kind of gave me an unrealistic view of everything,” McCarley notes with a laugh. “That’s not how the world is, you know?” In McCarley’s music you can hear her charting the distance between fantasy and reality, as well as the heartbreak that inevitably accompanies its discovery. McCarley’s brand of honesty doesn’t come without the occasional flash of regret. “I’ve looked back at some of these songs recently and thought to myself, ‘Are you serious? I can’t believe I put that out there!’” Near the top of the list of McCarley’s favorite artists are names like Fiona Apple, Patty Griffin and Greg Laswell (the latter of whom co-wrote “Bobblehead”). “I just love how true and raw their lyrics are,” she explains. Listening to records by these musicians is more than enjoyable for McCarley—it’s inspiring. “I get one line into one of their songs and I have to stop and write my own,” she says. McCarley singles out her favorites’ unique phrasing, the way they’ve taught her to concentrate not only on her words but on her delivery. “Their lyrics are that much more powerful because of the way they sing them.” McCarley currently calls Nashville home, but she cut her musical teeth in San Diego, where she’d moved after college to pursue a life that didn’t feature music at its center. During her undergraduate days she’d spend weekends singing with a country cover band for extra cash, yet in San Diego, selling clothes in a boutique and hanging out on the beach, she began thinking not just like a singer, but as a songwriter, which satisfied a different artistic jones. “Once I discovered songwriting it became an addiction,” she says now, remembering countless days she spent holed up in her house from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., doing writing exercises (and staring at the wall) while wearing the same pair of linen pants. “Most nights I’d end up with an unfinished song. But when the day would come when all the pieces would align, and I’d know this is a song for people to hear, there is no better release in the world. Those are some of the only times that I can go out at night or sit on the couch next to my loved ones and feel at peace—like, ‘Job well done.’ I can rest, at least for a second.” It was during this bout of creativity that McCarley met producer/writer/keyboardist Jamie Kenney (the rare partner she felt 100 percent comfortable with), and the two began honing the songs that would make up Love, Save the Empty. “It’s hard for me to write about being happy,” McCarley admits. “I don’t prefer being sad, but it’s a real spot for me. If you met me, I’m not this dark, sulking person, though I’m not bubbly by any means, either. I guess it comes down to the fact that I’m not afraid of being sad. Love, Save the Empty arrives this fall on Universal Republic Records. McCarley will spend the summer laying the groundwork for the album’s release with a pair of tours. Her goal an artist is as simple—and as profound—as they come. “When I’m onstage,” she says, “I’m trying to communicate with every single person out there.”
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Priscilla Ahn | 8:00 PM
 it all began in sleepy, rural, bernville, pennsylvania when i first picked up the guitar at the age of 14. i realized i needed to express my teenage anguish in something other than ice sculpting, my prior hobby and artform. i finished up high school and shocked my parents and a bunch of other people when i said i didn't want to go to college yet. so instead, i worked as a tour guide at a county park, where i served ice cream in between giving tours, and was late to work pretty much every day. my reason for being late (other than the occasional flat tire or my car not starting) was a consequence of the life i lived after work. i'd drive an hour and half to philadelphia, and an hour and half back, just to play one song at an open mic. i soon made friends with a band who invited me to open for them every sunday in a bar that sometimes played porn on their tvs. it sounds way worse than it was. in all reality, it probably was pretty bad, but i was 18 and couldn't think of anything more liberating to do, besides hardcore drugs or climbing mt. everest, neither of which i'll probably ever do.....probably. after one of these late night sunday shows, i followed my friends into a recording studio where someone was recording his first EP for Blue Note Records. Lo and behold, it was Amos Lee. Needless to say, i'd always been a fan of his. I hopped onto the project as the "intern", but basically hung around with them 'til 3 in the morning, slowly starting to feel cool for the first time in my life. In return i got free dinners and started doing a little recording of my own on the side. this all inspired me to visit los angeles. after checking it out, i knew this was where i wanted to be. my reasoning for choosing l.a. over nyc? i thought l.a. was pretty mellow, and i was pretty mellow, so it suited me. but really, i needed to escape. at 19, i yearned for something different. so one month later i was in my car with 2 guitars, clothes, and some other junk i really didn't need to bring, blasting led zeppelin's "going to california", revelling at finally being on the road.
once in los angeles, i stumbled in and out of apartments; getting kicked out of one, getting freaked out by others. all i was really focused on was finding more open mics to play. soon i had to like, get a job. i waitressed and i hated it. it was around this time (about a year into living in l.a.) i almost gave up and went back home to go to college, like everyone said i should. i started focusing on all the wrong stuff. i lost all enthusiasm for open mics. i was exhuasted and losing hope. but, with the help of friends, i persevered.
living in los angeles, you tend to always run into someone who knows someone in entertainment. in meeting a lot of these, i landed myself a show at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, opening for Joshua Radin. A fan of his voice, and he a fan of mine, we started to hang out and sing together. In a short amount of time, Josh got signed to Columbia and he asked me to sing with him on tour. of course i say 'yea man'. i quit my waitressing job and went on the road with him for a while. I found 5 days in between touring with Josh to record my first EP with Joey Waronker and Gus Seyfrett. there were no stakes involved, so we just had fun with it, and to this day i'm still very proud of what we did.
eventually josh takes off for more touring, and i'm left to happily make los angeles my home again. i spend the new year of 2007 in new york city where i play a showcase for blue note records. fortunately for me and the label, we really liked each other. I signed on and am now finishing my first full-length record with them, and my good friends Joey and Gus. |
Brooke Fraser | 8:00 PM
 Brooke Gabrielle Fraser (born December 15th, 1983 in Wellington, New Zealand) is an award-winning New Zealand singer/songwriter.
~*Early life*~
Brooke is the eldest of the three children born to former All Black Bernie Fraser and his wife Lynda.
Brooke grew up in Naenae, Lower Hutt and attended Dyer Street School then Naenae Intermediate and Naenae College.
Brooke started taking piano lessons at age 7 - she continued to take these until she was 17.
She started writing songs at age 12 and taught herself the acoustic guitar at 16.
Receiving some label interest when she was in Year 11 (age 15) Brooke decided it wasn't the right thing for her at the time; she decided she wanted to get an A bursary first - which she did. Despite turning these labels down she performed at the ''Parachute Festival'', a Christian music festival held annually, she has continued to do so each year since 2000.
Brooke was a presenter on a cable TV show and began writing for the Christian magazine ''Soul Purpose'' at age 15 and was later made editor in 2002. She gave up her job as editor shortly after moving to Auckland (late 2002) in order to pursue her music career, in which she secured a record deal.
Influences:
Her musical influences range from soulful crooners Marvin Gaye and James Taylor to new millenium artists including John Mayer and India Arie.
Awards etc:
''Most promising Woman Musician Award & Overall winner'', 1999 Hutt Valley Pepsi Smokefree Rockquest regional finals
''Best Female Solo Artist: What To Do With Daylight'' - 2004 NZ Music Awards
''Breakthrough Artist of the Year: What To Do With Daylight'' - 2004 NZ Music Awards
'Better' - most performed work on NZ radio in the last 12 months - Silver Scroll Awards (2004)Brooke was also awarded a satirical award
BrookeFraser.com: On Her First Album
The debut album from Brooke Fraser is "What To Do With Daylight." Brooke wrote all 11 tracks on the album and played instruments on each song.
The album's contrast of haunting, soul-searching confessions and lighthearted, joyful tunes reflects the different sides of Brooke's personality - the young woman who has been involved with World Vision for two years, and is travelling to Cambodia with the charity group; and the teenager who spends hours hanging out with friends and forming her next plan of attack against zits.
Talented guest musicians who performed on Brooke's album include infamous New Zealand muso Godfrey de Grut, Spearhead bassist Carl Young and producer / drummer Brady Blade.
Brooke's first single Better exploded onto the music charts, peaking at #3 with her second single "Lifeline" looking likely to do the same.
Drawing endless comparisons to the likes of Norah Jones, Tori Amos and labelmates Delta Goodrem and Bic Runga, 20-year-old singer/songwriter Brooke Fraser has already become a national treasure in New Zealand with her stunning debut album, 'What To Do With Daylight'. Produced by Brady Blade (EmmyLou Harris, Steve Earle, Jewel and Indigo Girls), the album has been one of the biggest success stories of the year in NZ, entering the charts at #1 on release and spending a whopping 40 weeks there since, hitting four times Platinum sales and earning Brooke six NZ Music Award nominations.
Having well and truly taken NZ by storm with the album and through gigs supporting the likes of John Mayer, the guitar and piano playing songstress has now made the transition across the Tasman and is now set to blitz the Australian music scene with her first single 'Lifeline'.
Highlighting Brooke's phenomenal talent for penning elegant yet earthy songs, we can guarantee from the second you hear her dulcet tones on this shimmering slice of soulful acoustic pop, you're going to be hooked. With gorgeous, heartfelt lyrics to make you melt and smoky, emotive vocals that reflect an immense depth and maturity beyond her years, 'What To Do With Daylight' is set to establish Brooke as one of the region's most promising new artists.
~Brooke Fraser is an incredible talent who writes beyond her years and will surely have a long and stellar career~
The New Album "Albertine" out Dec 4th! |
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