Recording artist Ellee Ven is returning to St. Louis for the 3rd Annual PLAY:stl09 festival this weekend. In addition to performing at Cicero’s on Saturday at 10 p.m., Ven will take part in a panel regarding the state of the music industry. For more information about the festival, visit 2009.playstlfest.com. Visit myspace.com/elleeven for more information about Ven or to hear a sample of her music.

How are you feeling about the upcoming festival?

“It’s really nice to come back. They were really kind inviting us to come back, and they’ve invited us back several times . It’s definitely growing, and the people running it are super into indie artists.”

What are your thoughts on the music industry now?
“I think it’s a tough market out there . I’m basically planning on speaking about things that do not work and the few things I know that do work. I am proud of my art . I don’t think just because it hasn’t sold nine million copies, it isn’t good.”

How would you describe the style of your music?
“It lifts your mood. I like to dance. I like stuff that’s drum and bass heavy, but it has to be a little more melodic . It makes you move, and it raises your mood.”

What has made you stick with this as a career?
“I really don’t think there’s anything else I’d like to do . It’s so nice that [I] have the opportunity to inspire people. That keeps me inspired, that somebody is listening that’s a stranger.”

What makes performing so important to you?
“The greatest thing about performing is that you get to communicate . [The audience] wants to know you better. Your songs are an experience with them.”

What are some modern influences on your music?
“I’ve been lucky to have some awesome producers nearby who delude me with [music] . I’m so immersed in my own music. I’m not necessarily always on iTunes looking for new bands . Prodéje and Tony have been really amazing to me. I’m thankful for them.”

How did you get into playing music initially?
“I was raised in L.A., but I didn’t think [music] was viable . Everybody in L.A. is doing it, but not making any money . I went to Minneapolis, and I met people . In five days, I had three songs.”