Q&A: Michelle Malone

(Photo Credit: Clay Miller)

I chatted with singer Michelle Malone about her roots in Atlanta and how one of her songs inspired the card game “Magic: The Gathering.”

Talk about your childhood, where you grew up, etc

I grew up in Atlanta. It was more like a little town back then. Now we have a couple million people in the same place. I have a ton of family and friends still here.

When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

It was the family business and I fell into it. Even though I went to medical school, I would play gigs with The Indigo Girls. We were coming up at the same time and playing the same pubs. I don’t know..it just..happened. Once I got into it and realized how much I loved it and realized it was my passion..I don’t know. This is hard. It’s just in my DNA. It’s a way of life.

Is it true the card game “Magic: The Gathering” is named after one of your songs?

Yeah! That’s a great story. Back in 1991 or so, I was playing at this club in Atlanta called Eddie’s Attic. I remember it was a weeknight because there weren’t many people there. I was playing acoustic if I remember correctly. At one point, about six or seven people came in together and they were having a great time. They came up to me after the show and mentioned they just created this card game. They loved my song “The Gathering” because it’s a song about bringing people together and that’s what they wanted to do with their card game. I’m not a gamer so I was thinking about Go Fish, Old Maid, freakin’ blackjack, I don’t know! It struck me as odd, but two weeks later my manager received an official letter saying that’s what they were going to call it. I received one of the original decks but I never played it. I opened it up to see what the hell it is…it boggled my mind! If it had been a blackjack or casino-type game, maybe I would have understood it a bit more and played a few hands. Luckily I can play it virtually and use to help me find a casino, I don’t think it would have been such a hit though, luckily their card game was.

Your songs have been featured in a ton of television shows. How does it feel knowing you’re a part of visual media history?

Visual media history. huh? Well when you put it that way it’s feels pretty damn good!

What is your favorite song to perform and why?

Right now I’m really loving “Love Yourself” off the new record. It seems to really lift the room.

I saw on your Twitter that recently the TSA thought your almonds were suspicious. What was that about?

You’ve been stalking me! ::laughs::

That’s my job!

Fucking TSA. I hate flying so much. You have to spend an hour in line and then you have to pull out everything you have, including your food. Then you get diverted and end up in a completely different state. There’s no perfect way to travel apparently.

Are you excited about your show here in Annapolis this week?

I’m really excited! I haven’t played Annapolis in a number of years. I remember it being a great room. It’s a groovy little area. I love taking it in a bit. I’m excited to play with Shawn Mullins. We go WAY back. We sing a duet of “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.”

I love my new record, but that song is worth the $10 alone.

(Photo Credit: Clay Miller)

Michelle opens for Shawn Mullins Wednesday at Rams Head On Stage!

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