On Dec. 1 singer/songwriter Sharaya Mikael was welcomed back to Western Connecticut State University (WestConn) for the second time to perform for students at the Midtown Coffeehouse.
The first half of the event was made up of Coffeehouse open mic performances. Participants graced the stage to recite poetry, play pieces on the piano and sing alongside acoustic guitars.
The dimly lit room was a showcase of student talent, with a black grand piano and chandelier as a backdrop. Small candles were placed at each circular table where students enjoyed the free food, coffee and soda provided.
One open mic participant, Nicole Thompson, said she enjoys performing and often plays at the Coffeehouse on Thursday nights.
Cover songs were intertwined with original pieces as Adam Calderone performed as the opening act. Alongside him was Mike Vince on bass, and Jordan Jurtz and Sam Blanchette on guitar. The group will be performing again at the next Coffeehouse on Thursday, Dec. 10.
Mikael accepted the mic promptly at 9 p.m. to begin her portion of the show, praising those who went before her. She is currently touring to promote her new EP, Rush.
The folk-pop singer first appeared at the university in 2010 during her first experimental 50 state tour. The country-wide journey was both self-booked and self-funded to promote her first EP, Far Field, also released independently the same year. The tour showed positive results as she sold over 2,000 copies.
Thursday night, Mikael generously urged all in attendance to help themselves to a free copy of either of her two EP’s. At the first mention, a handful of students immediately got up to secure their copy of the five track discs.
“I’m still pretty new in the game; I’m just trying to get my name out there. The more people that have access to my music, the happier it makes me,” she said. “Some people can’t afford to buy music right now so I’d rather give it to them.”
Mikael stole the crowd’s affection with her witty interjections each time she tuned her guitar and introduced the next song. “This is where I introduce my band sometimes … well, this is my guitar,” she joked alone on stage during one lengthy solo.
Mikael chose Ryan Adam’s “When the Stars Go Blue” as her one cover song, explaining its special place in her heart. “This is one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar, so it’s pretty meaningful to me,” she said before her melodic rendition.
Her original song “3 Ft. From Gold” was played at the beginning of the event as a teaser. The crowd remained well past the cut off time for open mic, enjoying what she had to offer.
“Her teaser definitely worked,” said Eryn Petruny, a WestConn junior. “Her lyrics are so relatable; out of all the songs she played it was my favorite.”
Mikael recently signed with a college booking agency and hopes to visit more universities by 2013. “Colleges and houses are my favorite places to perform. The people are there to listen to you,” she explained cheerily on her way to a house gig in Washington D.C. “They engage, they connect with the lyrics and they’re so willing to hangout afterwards. I loved playing at WestConn, everyone was great and happy to be there.”
As her tour wraps up on Dec. 8 she is anticipating more projects in the near future. During the first few weeks of January she will be experimenting with her music in Portland, Oregon and hopes to digitally release another EP shortly after.
Midtown Coffeehouse shows are a great opportunity to take a breather after a busy week. Enjoy performances every Thursday night to support local artists and students.
Check out the BandPage link featured on Sharaya Mikael’s Facebook page to hear both EP’s. Her music can also be heard on iTunes and her own Pandora radio station.
Thursday, Dec. 9 coffeehouse will include the usual open mic performance at 8 p.m., and feature the act, Play It By Ear, at 9 p.m. Admission will be free and the public is invited. Donations to sustain the Coffeehouse will be accepted. Call (203) 837-9700 or visit www.wcsu.edu/stuaffairs/Coffeehouse.asp for more information.
- Alison Pierre
Staff Writer
