You have an opportunity to hear Kiernan McMullan play his music this Saturday,
I heard Kiernan play a 45 minute set at the recordBar on July 3rd. He opened for Scott Hrabko. Together, they made for a magical evening. Turns out this was McMullan’s debut appearance in
Saturday marks a second stop on his tour over the coming month with Nicole Berke. Stop number one is
On this very warm Wednesday afternoon, the three of us settled into a quiet table in the Westport Coffee House to talk about their music. After all, it’s their passion and you’re reading this because you enjoy music. Kiernan journals a lot and writes poetry. From these compositions of words and impressions he composes. His guitar constitutes a very real second voice and when you hear him, watch him sing and play, your eyes may initially bounce back and forth from his face to his guitar quite often. It’s a sweet duet. Listen to the soulful stories and soak in some truly atmospheric guitar.
A delight was listening to his two CDs and hearing intelligent rich recordings that captured his live art. Both “perfect people are boring” and his new “The best part e.p.” reflect some thoughtful production and care.
Speaking of care, after his set at the recordBar, I watched as he took the time to talk with people. He has a humble and relaxed ease with people. That social aspect of art is not everyone’s comfort zone, but he appreciates the beauty of conversation and the opportunity to blend and learn. So when you do get to see him, expect to see him mixing about afterwards. Make a connection.
Nicole was excited about the upcoming road trip. Her favorite stories have roads and rivers. We talked about Kerouac, Huck Finn, Che’s Motorcycle Diaries, Into the Wild and I-70. That movement moves her and informs her music. From her recording, “Frondesence”, I’m hearing some delicious soul and energetic rhythm. While Kiernan composes in his journal, Nicole composes in her head and sees it upon her keyboard. That lack of keyboard portability creates an anxious feeling before being able to touch the keys. Maybe that compositional anticipation explains the soulful tones she creates.
We discussed the context and time of music. Like architecture, where interesting buildings are of their place mindful of posterity, songs similarly have the potential to capture a feeling of a certain time. Music is incredibly personal not just for the artist but also for the listener. You may find the music of these two artists in tune with your context and your time. There’s articulate suggestion, a few intellectual nudges that may transport you outside of yourself or have you examining your own scattered, traveled interior.
Treat your simulacra self to some authentic live music soon. There’s a rich mix of it in
Nicolette Paige http://www.nicolettepaige.com/l
And on myspace http://www.myspace.com/nicolettepaigemusic
The Lizard Lounge,
Kiernan http://www.kiernanmcmullanmerch.com/home.cfm
And on myspace http://www.myspace.com/kiernanm
Nicole on myspace http://www.myspace.com/nicoleberke
The recordBar http://therecordbar.com/
The Czar Bar http://czarbar.com/
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