Hi, I'm David F. Dyer from Qwani, Wisconsin.

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Live on tape from my house in Los Angeles. I'm Jesse Thorn and this is the sound of Young America from MaximumFund.org.

It's the sound of Young America, I'm Jesse Thorn.

My guest this week is Michelle and DeGiocello. Before we get to the interview, let's hear a sample from her brand new album The World has made me the man of my dreams.

This is Soul Spaceship.

This is the sound of Young America, I'm Jesse Thorn and DeGiocello.

It's the sound of Young America, I'm Jesse Thorn. My guest on the program Michelle and DeGiocello has made a career as a bassist.

She's a multi-instrumentalist, a contemporary soul artist spanning many genres. Her most recent record is called The World has made me the man of my dreams.

Michelle, welcome to the show.

Thank you for having me.

It's great to have you here. You were born in Germany because your dad was in the service. When did you move to DC?

Not until I was about 10-11, but the formative years.

Were you between places?

We moved around quite a bit, but I'm definitely a southern person. I live mostly in Hampton, Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Then we came to DC, Maryland area.

So I feel that's my home.

When did you start playing music?

About 14, I got the bug. My brother played the guitar and my father plays music as well. Instruments were always around in the house.

It was a good outlet. It was something I could do alone or with my brother. So I enjoyed picking up an instrument and trying to express myself.

The United States has such a national culture. It's very odd for there to be really unique regional art forms. One of them is, you know, I mean, there's club music in Baltimore and there's GoGo in DC.

Did you have GoGo in mind when you started playing the bass?

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