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Last Tuesday, Laurel Brauns performed a solo acoustic set as part of the Java Jive series. The New Hampshire native played songs from her CDs “Periphery” and “Swimming,” along with yet-to-be released songs and covers.
Her 13 years of experience with the guitar was evident as she strummed and travis picked on her Taylor 812CE. Brauns won her “dream guitar” in a raffle, but started playing guitar at age 14 on her dad’s guitar, which she pulled out of their basement. At that time, that she listened to The Beatles and Bob Dylan. As her cover songs at Java Jive showed, however, her current musical influences fall more along the lines of Modest Mouse, Built to Spill and Iron and Wine. She noted with a smile that she isn’t compared to these bands just because she’s a girl.
Brauns’ performance provided a relaxed the audience with rich vocals complemented by consistently strong guitar. The detail and a depth that suggested a history behind each song. Because of this, many of her songs sound straight off of a movie soundtrack. In fact, four of her songs are featured in the film “Dangerous Crosswinds,” by Back Lot Films.
The tone ranged from angry and gothic to optimistic. The set started off with slow, edgy and temperamental songs. Just past half-way through the show, the songs began to pick up. Some highlights were the songs “Glass Shoes,” “Saturday Night,” and the restaurant song. “Glass Shoes” is an upbeat jazz song; a departure from the folksy/indie rock style that threads the rest of the set together. “Saturday Night” made the audience wish it was the weekend already. Its lyrics are very title-appropriate; “It’s Saturday night, and I’m here/Waiting for myself to disappear/And if I arrive I assure you/I’ll be drunk and high/Wasting my time again.” Her song about the restaurant she waitresses at durring the summer, which will be on her next album, went over well. The best lyrics of that song: “‘Cause the manager was high on oxycontin.” If only that could explain every workday gone wrong.
Brauns took time to say a little something about each upcoming song-or just bring up her appreciation for Stephen King, our campus, and an old favorite coffee shop. The setting became quickly intimate. In fact, the whole room had a very soothing atmosphere. Some students sat and studied, others intently watched the show. Some people were in the audience for the duration of the show, others just stopped by for a song or two, and moved on. It wasn’t crowded to say the least, but the people listening appreciated the free music.
So, overall, it was a worthwhile show to see. If you didn’t get a chance to stop by, you can catch Brauns at various New England shows or look for her new cd which will be out in a few months, or check out her website, www.laurelbrauns.com. Java Jive happens on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Union Central in Memorial Union. Admission is free.
Bangor Daily News