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Il'-suh-bee: I was born in Berlin (Germany) in 1965. A year later, my father landed an opportunity to study medicine in the US, so off we went, eventually finding ourselves in Topeka, Kansas, where I grew up. We were subjected to a lot of classical music at home, yet – strangely – my parents' record collection also included the soundtrack to "Hair!" and an enticing album by Petula Clark called "Just Pet!" At the age of about six, my mother gave me a violin for Christmas, which I considered a big rip-off, knowing she was going to make me play anyway (plus the instrument was a rental). This little gift-wrapped stunt appeared under the tree in lieu of gawd-knows-what other cool Mattel crap I could have received. . .

Soon I quit the violin, took up the piano, quit that, took up the guitar, quit that but reconsidered years later at right about the time I started writing songs. Eventually "Little Lost Cause" made its way into the world. Mark Fisher writes, "I can't say enough good things about this album. It is certainly one of the best releases I have heard this year, independent or otherwise. 'Little Lost Cause' is beautiful, intriguing, lost, hopeful, and creative all at the same time. Ilsabe OConnell is an artist that you should be watching if you like (the folk, Americana, and singer/songwriter) genres."

Thanks, Mark, wherever you are!

Currently the second album is in the works, tentatively titled, "Just Keep On Petting!" (unless you or someone else can talk me out of that).