Carla, a Mercer Island resident and advocate for women in rock, founded the ROCKRGRL Magazine and music conferences.

What new projects are you working on?
I'm consulting for a new and wonderful guitar company called Luna Guitars out of Tampa, Florida. They make lightweight and gorgeous guitars that are really amazing. I met them around the same time I was ending ROCKRGRL Magazine, late 2005. Basically I get to give away guitars to artists. It's the most fun job I've ever had.
I also do lots of lecturing and I recently produced a ROCKRGRL Women of Valor Awards night for the '70s all-female band, Fanny, at Berklee College of Music in Boston last April. I am also working on a couple of books that are in too early of a stage to really talk about.

What are the most played songs, or artists, on your iPod right now?
I'm thrilled to hear Sara Bareilles on the radio. We shared an airport shuttle at a songwriter's weekend in California in 2003 and I thought she was very talented. The albums I have spent the most time with so far this year are Amy Winehouse's debut masterpiece and Johnette Napolitano's first solo album, "Scarred." I also really like the Dollyrots "Because I'm Awesome."

Which up-and-coming bands from the Pacific Northwest should Seattleites keep their eyes on?
It's been very exciting to see Brandi Carlile really taking off. She's going to have a very long career.

Do you read any local blogs? If so, which ones?
Candace Dempsey's Woman at the Table makes me realize that not only I am not much of a cook but I am also a fake Italian. I like Travis Hay's Ear Candy blog and Three Imaginary Girls keeps me up to date on what's going on in the clubs since I go out a lot less than I used to.