On the evening of Tuesday, February 20th, WMCN (your favorite 91.7 FM station) hosted an Open Mic Night for any Macalester students interested in showing off their musical talents. And show off they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hosted in The Loch, the performers stood or sat before a black curtain upstage graced with the iconic WMCN banner. A guitar pedalboard, (some of) a drumkit, and a garden of speakers and amps encircled the space where the musicians performed, drawing and keeping the filled Loch\u2019s attention onto the thirteen students who played for the eager crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opening for the event was Violet McCann, performing, as she put it, \u201csome little shoegaze songs\u201d from her new\u2014as of now unreleased\u2014 album. However, \u201clittle\u201d may have been an understatement, as all three originals\u2014\u201cErosion,\u201d \u201cBroken Wings,\u201d and \u201cDonner\u201d\u2014filled the room with a delightfully heavy distortion thanks to McCann\u2019s diverse array of pedals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following was Sev Scharpf, aka WMCN\u2019s own DJ sevan eleven and host of Spill the Celsius on Sundays this semester. Scharpf performed an original titled \u201cBattered Skeletons.\u201d With an acoustic guitar in hand(s) and a page-turn halfway through, DJ sevan eleven truly serenaded the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next up, Zaki Numani performed guitar and vocal covers of three Palace songs: \u201cShame on You,\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s Over,\u201d and \u201cWhere Sky Becomes Sea.\u201d Numani\u2019s covers gave a new, personal note to a well-curated selection of some of the U.K. alt band\u2019s tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following next was Hareth Ali, breaking up the guitar streak with a wireless mic in hand and two original rap songs\u2014\u201cTaking a Stand\u201d and \u201cLil\u2019 Bro.\u201d With lyrics touching on personal themes of his Yemeni heritage and relationship with his younger brother, Ali\u2019s energetic performance connected with the audience so well that, when all of a sudden, his mic cut out, the crowd sang along to the chorus of \u201cTaking a Stand.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, Jordan Galloway took to the stage with his acoustic guitar to perform \u201cone and a half\u201d originals for the audience. First, the full \u201cRoses and Rhymes\u201d showcased Galloway\u2019s great voice and strong instrumental talents. Then, the untitled \u201chalf song\u201d (which, as a credit to Galloway\u2019s humility, could very well stand as finished) completed the set with a solid ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next up, Linnea Joanen brought 00\u2019s emo to the stage with two vocal covers of Paramore and Evanescence tracks- \u201cIgnorance\u201d and \u201cLithium,\u201d respectively. The crowd very much appreciated the nostalgia trip (with one audience member exclaiming \u201cI love this song!\u201d when \u201cLithium\u201d was announced), and Joanen\u2019s presence ruled the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marking the halfway point of the night, Yvonne Moreria slowed things down with two acoustic guitar covers of Lana Del Ray\u2019s \u201cMariners Apartment Complex\u201d and Neil Young\u2019s \u201cHarvest Moon\u201d (two \u201cpretty underground\u201d songs, Moreria joked). Moreria skillfully performed the tranquil selections and gave the crowd a chance to both enjoy and relax for a few wonderful minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Up next was Julia Dworkin, performing a vocal cover of Greta Van Fleet\u2019s \u201cLight My Love\u201d and an original (released under the stage name Jaded) titled \u201cClimb Up,\u201d previously performed at the Music Department\u2019s Electronic Music Concert last December. The lyrics of \u201cClimb Up\u201d detailed Dworkin\u2019s journey as a musician, and told the story of a truly passionate artist that the audience thoroughly appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then was Matthew Brodsky, who opened his set with a bit of background surrounding the lyrical message cover of choice: Jeff Buckley\u2019s \u201cDream Brother.\u201d After his brief explanation, Brodsky then Grace<\/em>-fully (pardon the pun) and expertly rendered out Buckley\u2019s tune. If Brodsky hadn\u2019t admitted that he\u2019d only \u201cpracticed this one for about, like, an hour\u201d you\u2019d have assumed he\u2019d been born with a pick in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, Daniel Chang\u2019s excellent guitar abilities were on full display as he took the stage next. Opening with \u200b\u200b”La Vie en rose” by \u00c9dith Piaf, Chang\u2019s wonderful playing continued with \u201cI Shall Be Released\u201d by Bob Dylan, and \u201cWe All Fall in Love Sometimes\u201d by Elton John. All three great covers thoroughly impressed the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up was the first and only duo act of the night, Lewis Libby Watt and Andy Grott. The two wore seemingly coordinated outfits of beanies, sweaters, wide-legged pants, and well-worn sneakers. The pair\u2019s pair of original songs, titled \u201cLoose Horse\u201d and \u201cPaco,\u201d brought the crowd to silent awe at their sheer talent (both in songwriting and performance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final act of the night, Anna Devine, came on stage with two originals titled \u201cYear\u2019s End\u201d and \u201cPassenger\u201d and a cover of \u201cYard\u201d by Slow Pulp. Devine\u2019s professional-level stage presence and obvious talent for making and performing music served as a wonderful nightcap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, the Open Mic Night was a very successful first event of the semester for WMCN. Stay on the lookout for more things to come from Garth and company!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"