Blues rocker Melissa Ivey boasts powerful presence that eclipses her 5-foot-zip frame.
Ivey, 22, counts folk-punk singer Ani DiFranco as a musical muse. The Denver native has founded her own music management and publishing businesses. We reached Ivey at home to find out more:
Q: Holidays at the Ivey home: Turkey or tamales?
A: When I was growing up in Northern California, my mother and I spent hours making homemade tamales. Even when we were vegetarians, we filled them with corn and tofu – total California. Now I can always depend on my mom to send me home with a bag full of fresh tamales. But she has also gotten into the tradition of getting one of those turkeys stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken. It’s all very fowl!
Q: You often perform for kids. Were you a kid when you decided to be a musician?
A: When I was 9, living with my grandparents in Green Mountain and going to Foothills Elementary School, we had an assembly that changed my life. A local musician came in and did a 90-minute set with his electric violin. He had it hooked up to what I now know were some looping and special effects petals. All I knew was that I had to be as cool as him someday.
… My guitar player (Mike Whalen) and I recently visited an elementary school in California on one of our off days. I found myself talking with three classes of fourth-grade kids, singing and playing for them, (and) hopefully inspiring them to be true to their talents and not give up their dreams.
Q: “Gypsy” is one of your signature songs. So how are your tarot and fortune-telling skills?
A: I was at this party once and didn’t know anyone there except my cousin, who conveniently disappeared. Since no one knew me, I could be whoever I wanted. So I became the party’s official palm reader. I guided person after person to “the scheduled side of the couch” and then went through the motions, asking questions like “You’ve gone through a big change recently?” and “A big decision is coming soon?” Most of the guests had just graduated from high school. …
One of my uncles was a healer in New Mexico and my great aunt guided and healed me from a young age with the ancient sage-smudging ritual. I still use that when I go into a studio to cleanse the air and invite in good spirits.
