November 18th, 2009 | Jake

[podcast]http://dartboston.com/rule53/episodes/ep4.mp3[/podcast]

I don't know about you, but when I see a solid musical performance there is nothing more inspiring. When the show is over I always feel like I need to go learn how to play an instrument.

On this week's episode of Rule 53 I was lucky enough to connect with Michelle Lewis, the talented singer and songwriter from Boston, and Dennis Casey, lead guitarist from the bandFlogging Molly.

This week we added two new rules to our list on Rule 53:

• These days people blog and tweet about everything they do, sometimes it is important to "keep it mysterious" - Michelle Lewis
• If you are thinking about doing something, you need to stop thinking and just "jump into the fire" - Dennis Casey, Flogging Molly

To hear the entire conversation between Michelle Lewis and Dennis Casey listen to the podcast.

Michelle graduated from Berklee College of Music in May 2003. I met her for the first time a few months back at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge for a CD release party of her new EP Broken. Her lyrics and acoustic guitar playing are powerful and she had great backup on cello and stand-up bass. Overall, I really enjoyed my first Michelle Lewis experience - *except* - I wanted to throw something at the ridiculous group of Harvard girls sitting at the next table over who talked through a majority of the show.

Dennis is a not only a highly talented and successful musician, but a father and all around great guy. He was born and raised in Rochester, New York. After high school, with no interest in going to college, he picked up and took his love for music and guitar playing to LA, California. Dennis was a member of a multitude of bands throughout his early career, but found his place at local bar in LA called Molly Malone's.

Initially, the band came together from a diverse set of musical backgrounds and developed a chemistry that resulted in a sound that has evolved and continues to evolve today.

In this podcast Michelle gives us a peak into her perspective as a young professional musician and some of the challenges she is faced with to take it to the next step. Dennis tells us about his early days in LA, sleeping on floors and couches, and personal stories about his efforts to help make Flogging Molly the success it is today.

Next week we have a special LIVE episode of Rule 53 with guests Alan Khazei, founder and former CEO of CityYear as well as a candidate for Ted Kennedy’s US Senate seat who will be speaking with Ashli Stempel, current student at Northeastern University who has plans to start a non-profit called PULSE