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ingrid michaelson



Last Updated: 11/21/2009

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Status: Single
City: Staten Island
State: New York
Country: US
Signup Date: 3/17/2005

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Saturday, March 14, 2009 
R.E.M.

I had the good fortune to be one of 20 artists asked to be part of the R.E.M. tribute show at Carnegie Hall two nights ago. I did “Nightswimming” armed with only a looping pedal and my friend Chris on upright bass. I love that song. It seasoned my summer of ‘93. I listened to Automatic for the People on constant rotation that summer. So when I was asked which song I wanted to do, I knew immediately.

R.E.M. was there, in the audience. I have never been so nervous in all of my life. I was trembling a good 20 minutes after I walked off stage. I felt like I had a switch on my back that was flipped onto the “vibrate” setting. The main reason why I was so scared was because I had just learned how to use a looping pedal recently and had never performed in front of people with it. I chose Carnegie Hall to be the venue to break open my looping pedal skills for the very first time. Why? Why on earth would I choose to do that? Why would I put myself through such anxiety? Because fear is to be battled. Fear is to be eaten and digested. To do something that frightens you, and to come through unscathed, even stronger, is incredibly empowering.

I looked at Chris (who was as nervous as I) and he looked at me, we both took a big breath and began. And i just sang. I closed my eyes and sang. At one point, I opened my eyes and took in the beauty and majesty of Carnegie Hall. And I thought to myself, “enjoy this Ingrid, f*cking ENJOY IT!” My voice over my voice over my voice over my voice laced with Chris’ beautiful bass lines, bowing and plucking, swirled and hung in the air. I could feel it. I could almost see it. It was a night that I will never forget. And I am thankful for it.

I hope you have the chance to pummel fear into the dirt.

Punch punch punch.
Currently watching:
Lost - The Complete First Season
Release date: 2005-09-06
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Dankitti

 
"I chose Carnegie Hall to be the venue to break open my looping pedal skills for the very first time." I dunno why that is such an amazing quote. It just is.........I will be sure to do that, the Pummelling Fear Into Dirt thing.........I heart your blog post. I'd give you 12 kudos!!........awesomeness. <333
 
Posted by Dankitti on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:17 AM
[Reply to this
Jesse
Jesse Schmitt

 
You were AMAZING!! I hope to find my bootleg of that night because it was awesome! You didn't look nervous at all; congratulations!
 
Posted by Jesse on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:17 AM
[Reply to this
sarah

 
it was gorgeous the next night as well!
 
Posted by sarah on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:17 AM
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sara

 
you are fucking brilliant.
 
Posted by sara on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:23 AM
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Jason

 
You absolutely ROCK!!! I still hope someday you make it to Tulsa! Oh, and Lost ROCKS too!!!
 
Posted by Jason on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:42 AM
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(a.k.a.) Choogs

 
Awwww...Nightswimming (deserves a quiet night)!! That was the best! Wished I could have heard you sing it...I'm sure you did a great job!
 
Posted by (a.k.a.) Choogs on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:48 AM
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Tina In Disguise
Tina indisguise

 
did you get to meet glen hansard?
 
Posted by Tina In Disguise on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:59 AM
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Cornyassotta

 
Fear instills two reactions: fight or flight. And I'll bet you kicked ass!............Props!
 
Posted by Cornyassotta on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 4:03 AM
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yvonne
Yvonne Moss

 
hope someone video taped! I ate and digested fear last summer when I spoke to about 50 people on a topic that I treasure. I ran from public speaking classes in high school. Yes, I put that fear to rest. Glad you ate one too! I'm sure it was amazing!
 
Posted by yvonne on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 4:19 AM
[Reply to this
Geronimo Jackson [steve]
Steve Meyers

 
INGRIDD. Congrats on that! You're wonderful, and LOST is the best. :)
 
Posted by Geronimo Jackson [steve] on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 4:21 AM
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John

 
Even your blogs are like poetry to me.....I am inspired to pummel!!!!
 
Posted by John on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 5:26 AM
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- Bee-Ry -

 
What did R.E.M. have to say about your performance?
 
Posted by - Bee-Ry - on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 5:32 AM
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sarrrrrah

 
Although I haven't played any venues larger than the College of Staten Island recital hall, I can empathize to a certain small degree. I love how pre-show jitters seem to fade away with every breath exhaled. The best feeling during a performance is knowing that the fear has been totally conquered.........P.S. Kudos for the LOST. It becomes increasingly addictive!
 
Posted by sarrrrrah on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 5:34 AM
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Steve

 
What a vivid description, made me feel right in the moment! Kudos to you and R.E.M.
 
Posted by Steve on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 6:55 AM
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Amy
Amanda Martin

 
as a concurrent musician, i am bewildered by the thought of the stage.......i cannot play in the presence of others.......maybe someday, the stength that flows through you veins may empower my weakness.......♥
 
Posted by Amy on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 7:27 AM
[Reply to this
hotnessa

 
beautiful!
 
Posted by hotnessa on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 7:56 AM
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Steve

 
me too Ingrid. I spent the Summer of '93 in Cyprus driving around in the heat and the breeze listening to Automatic.........Life is made by these wonderful memories.......Perfect choice of song too... when can we hear it??............actually currently reading "Feel the Fear... and do it anyway" x
 
Posted by Steve on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 8:04 AM
[Reply to this
Erik
Erik Frykman

 
SUCH a beautiful, wonderful and INSPIRATIONAL story... Thank you! Now, if only we could ALL get to hear you sing it... Peace and Love, ~ Erik
 
Posted by Erik on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 9:28 AM
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Rob

 
Awesome! I am certain you were amazing as always :)............As Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear...not absence of fear"
 
Posted by Rob on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 9:29 AM
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Midnight Rose

 
when will a copy be releases to your dying fans?????
 
Posted by Midnight Rose on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 11:39 AM
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Day-Dreamer

 
I hate that feeling of nervousness that comes before you face a task that frightens you...but that high, that sense of pride that soaks through every cell of your body when you walking away knowing that you've conquered is so worth it! You're fantastic Ingrid!
 
Posted by Day-Dreamer on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 1:27 PM
[Reply to this
Denise

 
I'm punching, Ingrid!......My friend Jen has amazing photos of the event. I'll ask her to forward them to you.
 
Posted by Denise on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 1:48 PM
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Katee
Katee Gerber

 
Wow. that would be so utterly nerveracking. I love REM, and I'm sure you rocked the place.............:) ......Keep punching those fears! ......great blog
 
Posted by Katee on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 1:50 PM
[Reply to this
venusdee3000

 
That is so AWESOME!!!!!
 
Posted by venusdee3000 on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 1:55 PM
[Reply to this
The Night Listener
Don Vest

 
Wow!!!! Ingrid, that is TRULY amazing!....I saw you last year on Good Morning America and have been a fan since. ....As a fellow artist (theater - stage and radio) I can understand. Though the magnitude of what you have made... WOW!!!........Great for you!!!!
 
Posted by The Night Listener on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 2:19 PM
[Reply to this
Nessa

 
"fear is to be eaten and digested." ....good words.
 
Posted by Nessa on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 2:21 PM
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Stephano

 
i hope i get that chance too
 
Posted by Stephano on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:28 PM
[Reply to this
i am lying to you

 
Oh, I want to hear your rendition. "Nightswimming" is possibly my favorite R.E.M. song. Congratulations!
 
Posted by i am lying to you on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:32 PM
[Reply to this
Jonathan

 
You can't conquer life without pummeling fear. You made it! Welcome to the club.
 
Posted by Jonathan on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:33 PM
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☆~Aries✧Baby~☆
Casey Reeves

 
Wow I love what you said about fear.....very inspiring. Congrats missy!!
 
Posted by ☆~Aries✧Baby~☆ on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 3:38 PM
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Julz

 
wow... an experience you will NEVER forget!......I love reading your blog entries.........your writing style......so poetic......so raw......thank you for sharing this......magical moment with us!
 
Posted by Julz on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 4:14 PM
[Reply to this
klem

 
i thought nightswimming was your song.
 
Posted by klem on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 4:49 PM
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SHIZZLIN BIP

 
LOL! Wonderful! Congrats for kicking fear in his smug little butt!
 
Posted by SHIZZLIN BIP on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 4:52 PM
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Dorinda

 
yay! i want to hear this now!
 
Posted by Dorinda on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 5:11 PM
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Josephine Park
Josephine park

 
thats awesome!
 
Posted by Josephine Park on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 6:51 PM
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Rick
Rick Bell

 
"Fear keeps us small" ~ Leo Buscaglia............Cheers!
 
Posted by Rick on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 7:17 PM
[Reply to this
Live Simply, Die Freely

 
2 kudos just for being an artist Chosen to commemorate R.E.M. "Stand in the place that you were.."
 
Posted by Live Simply, Die Freely on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 8:11 PM
[Reply to this
Jeanee
Jean Bourque

 
Ingrid thats awesome playing before REM in Carnegie hall; whoa!......Congrats on conquering fear; too, cool story
 
Posted by Jeanee on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 10:04 PM
[Reply to this
Miss Adrienne

 
That, my friend, is what music is all about. :-) Congrats!
 
Posted by Miss Adrienne on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 12:05 AM
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sarahbellum[GBFL]

 
wow. thats so great. that is my favorite song by REM and to be able to sing that in front of HAD to have been very frightening
 
Posted by sarahbellum[GBFL] on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 12:07 AM
[Reply to this
B. Lamb

 
Wow! Seriously - way to go. So incredibly cool, Ms. Ingrid. What an inspiration you are. R.E.M. has been a long-time favorite for me too and I'm sure your rendition of 'Nightswimming' was absolutely incredible/awesome, etc.. Wish I were there & stuff.............
 
Posted by B. Lamb on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 12:32 AM
[Reply to this
Teri

 
AWESOME!!! Good for you!! Can't wait to see that performance!
 
Posted by Teri on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 1:01 AM
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Gabby Malta
Gabriela Carolina Ferreira Malta

 
That's why sometimes it sucks to live in Brazil...you don't get to see those sort of things. All I see on tv or whatever is woman shaking their a**.............I could ask you to come here. But it probably would irritate you. To come here, I mean.............Anyway, love your song =D
 
Posted by Gabby Malta on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 1:49 AM
[Reply to this
Gabby Malta
Gabriela Carolina Ferreira Malta

 
yeah, sorry to look like a weird random girl. Wich I am, but...yeah, no but. I'm just weird ..o/
 
Posted by Gabby Malta on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 1:55 AM
[Reply to this
Gabby Malta
Gabriela Carolina Ferreira Malta

 
As my last post was useless, I'll try it again.............I just love facing fears. When you beat it,it just gives you this feeling of being capable of anything. Like a super-human or an whatever. ............and omg,perform r.e.m on front of r.e.m?? girl, you're just fierce!!!............me, however, still cry when it gets too dark.
 
Posted by Gabby Malta on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 2:01 AM
[Reply to this
Heather Miller

 
Amazing, beautiful, inspiring! Congrats!!!!
 
Posted by Heather Miller on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 2:31 PM
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Galriad
Galriad Tan

 
Wicked stuff!! i'd bet theyre effin proud!
 
Posted by Galriad on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 4:40 PM
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Psj

 
can you be cooler? ahhaha good for you seriously... keep on with the great music.!! and by the way I enjoyed the Bon Iver cover soooo much haha loved that you read the lyrics.... kisses
 
Posted by Psj on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 5:00 PM
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Eddie

 
The version of it you did on 3/12 is on Youtube and it is awesome awesome awesome :-)
 
Posted by Eddie on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 6:26 PM
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HJ

 
Please put that cover on your next album. That would have been incredible to witness. "Nightswimming" is one of my favorites in the world. You probably completely owned the moment to claim it as your own for a little while. =)
 
Posted by HJ on Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 6:35 PM
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