DS: What's your history with music?

MG: I started singing at a young age. I was always trying to be like my big brother, Evan, who had his own band at the early age of 12, and has been my music hero since before I can remember. I picked up guitar when I was 14, and did the high school choir/musical theatre thing. When I was 17, I wrote my first song and every since I've had a longterm relationship with the emotive/cathartic process of songwriting. I grew up listening to Motown, the good ole' oldies of the late 50s-early 70s, and everything my brother was into (aka 90s alternative rock). Joni Mitchell, Carol King and Ella Fitzgerald are my girls.

DS: How did MCG come to be?

MG: My brother and I got in the studio over a year ago to record an album of the strongest songs I'd written over the past few years. He flew in from LA a few times and we had a blast in the studio. Once I had the finished product, I knew I needed to find musicians to join up with to bring the album to life, and ultimately begin a musical journey with. Over the course of 5 months, I had collected what I believe to be the most perfect mix of band mates a girl could ask for.

DS: How do you find inspiration for songs?

MG: Most of the time, I write songs so that I can better understand how I really feel about things beneath the surface. In times of a budding relationship, turmoil/heartache, or in dry spells of jaded reflection, I utilize the introspective process of songwriting to discover my unspoken longings and give them a voice through music. Other times, when it's not so easy or I am uninspired, I'll simply resurrect a favorite old album, or start listening to a new band as a sounding board for new ideas. I get bored with my own personal style and am always trying to reinvent my sound.