One bus, one band and a group of friends will hit Gainesville music venue Common Grounds today at 9 p.m.
The "one bus, one band and a group of friends," also known as the Hotel Café Tour, features headliner and folk-rock singer Ingrid Michaelson. Singer-songwriters Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Samantha Crain and Erin McCarley will also perform.
The Hotel Café Tour was co-organized by Cary Brothers, a singer-songwriter who's a regular of the Hotel Café venue in Hollywood, which used to be a small coffee house.
"I'm very excited," Michaelson said. "I know most of the girls. They're all sweet and very good. We're all on a tour bus traveling around. I'm looking forward to it. I need some girl bonding time."
Michaelson is best known for her single "The Way I Am," which has been featured on popular TV shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill" as well as in Old Navy's Fall 2007 advertising campaign.
"For six years now, I've been writing and recording, playing a couple songs here and there, and a licensing company found me and thought my songs would be good for film and TV," Michaelson said. "That's how I got on the Old Navy commercial, from 'Grey's Anatomy.'"
Michaelson recently released a new CD entitled "Be OK" and will perform select tracks tonight.
"It was just a little side project for fans and to give a little money to charity. Some of the proceeds are going to Stand Up to Cancer," Michaelson said. "I like that it's just me and an instrument in some of the songs. It's not a real studio-formatted album. It's an in-between tease."
The benefit album includes previously unreleased songs, covers, demos and live recordings.
"I would say I'm pop with a twist and more thought with the lyrics and melody," Michaelson said. "It's smart pop. I'm an old soul. Judy Garland and her voice and presence - I have a lot of that in me I think. I like artists that aren't afraid to go outside the norm."
Michaelson's title track "Be OK" will be part of the new Stand Up to Cancer campaign. She has also designed a necklace that will be sold at all tour stops, and all proceeds will go to Stand Up to Cancer.
"I don't think I've been to Gainesville to before," Michaelson said. "I'm excited to come to a new place, excited to hang out with some cool people and excited to perform."
Common Grounds is located 210 S.W. Second Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15.
