ful Music Insider: Interview with Michelle Penn

We are SUPER excited for this installment of the ful Music Insider. We've got Michelle Penn! We tracked down the indie singer/songwriter and we're happy to report she was down to answer a few of our questions about her music, career, and the industry.

Indie rock diva Michelle Penn exudes no shortage of attitude and style. Named one of the best indie artists by Musician Magazine, she has racked up star-studded performances with the likes of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Sarah McLachlan, Collective Soul and Jeff Buckley.

Since storming out of the Detroit rock scene as a teenager, Penn has played stages all over the country, all the while absorbing a host of diverse musical influences. Penn makes her mark as one of rock's rare genuine artists in that she writes, produces and performs all original music. Her latest CD release, Red Five, shows the maturity and sophistication of a truly experienced musician.

As Michelle prepares for her March 30th show at the Den in LA, we sat down and talked about the music industry, living in Los Angeles, and her favorite song to play. Here's what the singer/songwriter had to say....

ful: What gets you the most excited about making/playing music?
Michelle Penn: I love that moment when I play a new, original song back for the very first time after recording it. It's a high. If I can capture and communicate that feeling when playing before a live audience, the experience becomes unparalleled.

ful: Do you have a favorite U.S. city to play in? A favorite venue?
MP: Favorite city has to be my hometown of Detroit. It always turns into an event, though sometimes it turns into the scene of a bad Polish wedding. Everyone has a little too much spirited fun, and it can be exhausting. But I love playing for my friends and family. My favorite venue is a tie between the first place I ever gigged, and the biggest show I was lucky enough to play (so far). The first is the old Hamtramck Pub. A charming old pub where at 15, I could get a gig. The second is Freedom Hill, a big outdoor theater in the burbs of Detroit. I saw my first concert there as a kid, (Journey and Pat Benatar), and it was mind blowing to perform before that huge crowd, on the same stage as rock icons.

ful: You've lived in L.A. for a while now. Do you like it? Favorite part of living in Hollywood? Least favorite?
MP: L.A. has been very calming for me, oddly enough. Even in the worst traffic jam, all I have to do is take a deep breath, look at the mountains, palm trees and ocean, and remember it's always been a dream of mine to live and love here. I like it. Favorite part of living in Hollywood is driving the streets I used to skateboard back in the day. I used to hang with a transplanted Detroit band back when Hollywood was a lot more colorful and just skateboard around all day long. I can't believe I did that when I was 16. There's some great people-watching that can be done here. Least favorite thing about Hollywood is watching people become monsters in their quest for fame, power and money.

ful: Do you have a set play list? Do you ever play any covers? What's your favorite song to play?
MP: My set favors the songs that people comment on the most. I have played very few covers. If I do play a cover, I try to do something that entertains me. Last cover I did was "Let's Get It On." I totally butchered the song, but it challenges me to be better the next time around. My favorite song to play is "Want Me." I get to solo at the end, and it brings me back to playing guitar in my bedroom as a kid while everyone else was at the dance. YES I'M A NERD...

ful: Do you get nervous before playing a show?
MP: Yes. Sometimes I see nothing but a bright flash. I just keep playing guitar and then it goes away. My voice goes on autopilot. The rest of the gig is like talking on a cell phone while driving. You get to your destination, but sometimes you have no recollection of how you got from A to B. Yet, when I finish a set I always want to have a do-over so I can actually enjoy it...

ful: What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?
MP: My band once played a gig in Pensacola, Florida at a club heavily populated by tattooed, pierced skateboard punks. We were doing an acoustic performance, and I fully expected the crowd to riot and kick our asses. Quite surprisingly, we played one of the best shows ever. I guess that's why I'm still alive giving this interview. And that's another reason why I love playing live music -- it's a chance to make a connection with all different kinds of people. I have some great conversations with total strangers after my live gigs. I love it.

Also, "the most unusual place I ever recorded" was in an old brownstone I used to live in located in the "artsy fartsy" Cass Corridor of Detroit. On hot summer nights the ladies of the evening would walk the streets outside my window. Their cha cha heels and unique language would always bleed through the window and end up on my tape recordings.

ful: What was the last song you wrote? Can you tell us about it?
MP:I write bits and pieces of songs constantly. My most recent is called "Welcome Me Home," about a soldier longing to return to his/her family. The first draft was written in my perspective of leaving home, having a personal battle, and then returning to the welcome of a friend. Phase two of the song then became a tribute to our troops fighting for our freedom. I have total respect and gratitude for all the military personnel who fight for our independence. I am launching a new website dedicated to that cause. I will donate proceeds from sales of the tune to organizations that support military families.

ful: What bands are you loving right now? Who would you love to play with?
MP: I love Brendan Benson, Spoon, Rogue Wave, and Mary J Blige. I would love to play with Justin Timberlake.... a duet... so, JT if you're reading this call me.

ful: What advice do you have for people trying to break into the music industry?
MP: Make sure you love what you do, and make sure you do it for you. Don't get caught up in the BS of the business.

ful: We at ful bags are super excited to be working together. Have you had a chance to use our luggage/bags? What do you think?
MP: I absolutely love the bags. I recently overstuffed my "JT" with my new protools rig while flying. It took a beating and still looks awesome. Plus I get compliments all the time. It's great here in Hollywood, always on the go. My buddy Joel McHale stole one from me, and now he carries it everywhere too. He thinks he's a bigger star than me, and that he deserves the whole line, so he may be calling you. We both seem to have our lives packed away on our backs.

To hear some of Michelle's music or to see more tour dates, check our her website. Thanks Michelle and can't wait to see you again soon!