Music and lyrics
The singer-songwriter is an interesting breed of musician. Modern musicians share the genre with the greats like Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan. Singer-songwriters have their lives showcased constantly in personal lyrics and heart-wrenching melodies. It’s an accomplishment to achieve success in such a field at a young age.
Jason Reeves, a 20-something singer-songwriter, headlines the first concert in University Union’s Bandersnatch Concert series. Reeves, along with Tyrone Wells, will play the Schine Underground Wednesday at 8 p.m.As the weather cools down, let these artists be the soundtrack to coffee-drinking mornings and nights of studying.
Jon McLaughlinAge: 26Hometown: Anderson, Ind.
Reason to listen: With piano-driven ballads and danceable pop songs, McLaughlin could be the most versatile singer-songwriter in the bunch. His talent proves he was destined to be more than just a boy from a small town in Indiana. His voice is a blend of pop and R&B flair. Whether he is seated behind a grand piano or an electric keyboard, McLaughlin has talent and a smooth voice that makes listeners swoon. Already in his short career, McLaughlin graced the stage at the 80th Academy Awards – a far cry from the heartland this crooner calls home.
Album: ‘OK Now,’ released Oct. 7
Song to download: ‘Why I’m Talking to You.’ While the song opens with notes reminiscent of ‘Charlie Brown’ cartoons, the song is one that will stick in your head. Complete with piano and guitar solos, the chorus is a pick-up line that would force girls to react.
Jason ReevesAge: 24Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Reason to listen: Best known for his collaboration on 10 tracks on Colbie Caillat’s album ‘CoCo’ – including singles ‘Bubbly’ and ‘The Little Things’ – Jason Reeves is now carving his own path to fame. Even after transitioning from the Midwest to Los Angeles, Reeves’ music still has the local coffee shop, hometown boy sound. He writes about one-sided relationships, the state of New Hampshire (after two fans asked him to, even though he had never visited the state) and the girl who used to write him old-fashioned letters. Bringing his acoustic guitar and smooth voice, Reeves will grace the Schine Underground stage Wednesday at the first University Union Bandersnatch concert of the year.
Album: ‘The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache (And Other Frightening Tales…),’ released in 2007
Song to download: ‘Reaching.’ The lyrics of this song speak for themselves: ‘You’re inches from my fingertips/ I’ve come as close as I can get/ I’m reaching, but the rest is up to you.’ The relatable lyrics cement themselves instantly, and ‘Reaching’ won’t leave your head.
Andy DavisAge: 25Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Reason to listen: Andy Davis tells stories with his songs. Combined with his talented piano playing and inventive lyrics, Davis’ songs showcase love at its best, worst and most unpredictable. He utilizes musical and lyrical metaphors to create songs about astronomical love, even comparing one of his relationships to that of Earth and Venus. His emotional sound is tinged with some Nashville, Tenn., flair (Davis attended Belmont University, where he began home-recording CDs in his living room). It’s refreshing to hear a musician who makes you feel at home in a dorm room. His homemade records may be gone, but that homegrown indie sound remains in the pop-folk tracks.
Album: ‘Let The Woman,’ released last year by bigHelium Records
Song to download: ‘Laugh So You Don’t Cry.’ An uplifting song for the worst of days, Davis sings about, well, laughing to prevent crying. It’s about the little things in life that make the world a little better, like smiles and the parts of movies you can watch numerous times.
Ari HestAge: 29Hometown: Manhattan, N.Y.
Reason to listen: Ari Hest epitomizes the singer-songwriter genre. He remains a somewhat unknown artist, despite releasing more than eight albums. This year alone, Hest plans to write one song a week for the entire year – that’s 52 songs. The project, started after Hest returned to an indie label and was inspired to write again, has been going on all year long. Weekly, posts appear on his Web site with a simple title: ‘Week 41- ‘The Landlord.” Without classical guitar training – he taught himself guitar around age 15 – Hest proves he is a musician in it for the music.
Album: A series of albums all supporting ’52’
Song to download: His cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah.’ Granted, this cover doesn’t showcase Hest’s exceptional writing abilities, but his version of the song is haunting, yet beautiful. On the chorus, the simple guitar chords paired with Hest’s slightly raspy voice calms nerves.
Published on October 13, 2008 at 12:00 pm
