Coffee House

Spring 2012 Schedule

Gaby Moreno
Tuesday, January 24

Gaby Moreno’s new album, Illustrated Songs, continues her love affair with the sounds of the blues, soul and jazz that captivated her as a girl. Although she was born and raised in Guatemala, it was the sounds of the American South that inspired her to become a songwriter and recording artist. As Moreno devoured albums by Robert Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, she discovered an affinity for the vintage African American sounds of the 20s, 30s and 40s. She combined them with the sound of the Latin music she loved from the same era to create the 12 tunes on Illustrated Songs. Her affection for old fashion music is even reflected in the record’s title. In 2006, she won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with her song “Escondidos,” first in the Latin category, then overall. That success gave her the confidence to produce her debut album, Still The Unknown. The album was played on KCRW and NPR, getting excellent reviews praising its sparse, elegant sound and Moreno’s quietly soulful vocals. The record’s success led to opening slots on tours with Tracy Chapman and Ani DiFranco. In 2010, an instrumental piece Moreno wrote with musician friend Vincent Jones was selected as the theme for the new NBC show Parks and Recreation. The theme earned an Emmy Nomination. Moreno’s tunes were also used on E!’s Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Lincoln Heights and Ghost Whisperer on ABC and MTV’s The Hills.

http://www.gaby-moreno.com/

Kurt Scobie
Tuesday, February 21

Every time Kurt Scobie sits down at the keys, the power of his expressive lyrics and percussive piano style have a magnetic effect on the entire room. The lyrics strike a familiar chord but carry a refreshing tone, and the catchy melodies enable listeners to sing along, even after hearing his songs for the first time. On and off the stage, Kurt is consistently friendly and respectfully honest. Kurt Scobie lives in Atlanta, GA, but he is most at home when he is on the road and meeting new people. Since 2008 he has performed over 400 shows, including three NACA showcases, and a performance for the Atlanta Braves. Kurt has also shared the stage with The Civil Wars, Matthew Perryman Jones, Montell Jordan, and Mike Kinnebrew. Influences such as Mat Kearney, Dave Matthews and Jason Mraz have helped Kurt create a sound that is winning over audiences across the country. In his free time you can usually catch Kurt reading an amazing book, drinking an amazing craft beer, eating amazing sushi, or heading out for a long (amazing) run.

http://www.kurtscobie.com/

Mieka Pauley
Tuesday, March 27

Mieka is an American singer-songwriter. In 2008, she won the grand prize in both Cosmpolitan's StarLaunch and the New York Songwriters Circle Songwriting Competition, and she was nominated for a Boston Music Award. In 2005, she won the grand prize in the first Starbucks Emerging Artist competition. She has appeared on Daytrotter, PRI Mountain Stage, BBC London and Fox 25 Boston.

Pauley was born in Boston and raised in Ohio, Kentucky, South Florida and Colorado, where she attended Cherry Creek High School. She returned to Boston to attend Harvard University, where she entered the local music scene and began performing at coffeehouses and open-mic nights. She has gone on tour with Citizen Cope and Edwin McCain. In November 2007, she released a full length album Elijah Drop Your Gun, financed by fans. She puts her guitar in the trunk of her car and does an average of 150 live shows a year criss-crossing the country. She follows her own vision for her music and her soul/blues/rock/acoustic/alternative style has brought comparisons to Ben Harper, Cat Power, Neko Case, Patty Griffin, Martin Sexton and others.

http://mieka.com/

Scott Wesley
Tuesday, April 17

Since the impressionable age of five, Scott Wesley has sought inspiration for his music from artists like the Beatles, Radiohead, Third Eye Blind, Phish, and a myriad of other broadly talented bands that appeal to his unique inner-jukebox. Scott says, "I've also been exposed to great artists like Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, and Keller Williams (all solo artists). I've been fortunate enough to blend these musical influences into the unique sound that I consider my own." After signing out of high school with local indie label Four Winds, Scott recorded his first studio album, Open Eyes,which received national critical acclaim. College radio stations and sites like MP3.com and Imeem.com featured Scott as an up-and-coming singer/songwriter who "combines pop, rock, and reggae in a bright new sound out of Chicago."

http://scottwesleymusic.com/