Songwriters play coffeehouse

Along with cream and sugar, students had music with their coffee at the Indiana Memorial Union Starbucks on Thursday for the Union Board’s second Singer-Songwriter Night.

Junior Brant Craft, Live From Bloomington concert coordinator, said the committee hopes to provide students with a coffeehouse environment where artists can convey their message to a crowd.

“Our main goal is to give local musicians a place to play and get their name out to people,” Craft said.

Opening the evening was 19-year-old Crescent Ulmer.New to Bloomington from her hometown of Avon, Ind., Ulmer said she moved here for the music scene.

“It’s a cool town with way more opportunities for music than where I come from,” she said.

Ulmer has only been playing guitar for a little more than a year.

“She has a great voice,” senior Ian Mathews said. “She reminds me of an early Dave Matthews back when he used to play in malls.”

Mathews said he was not aware that it was Singer-Songwriter Night until he saw the flyer; however, he said it was a nice surprise.

Other students seemed to enjoy the entertainment as well.

One viewer even shouted out “five more, seven more” when Ulmer announced her last song.

Following Ulmer was Mark Harper, who played rather political lyrics.

“It was a little out there, but as far as the poetry goes, I guess I would say that I was impressed,” junior Anna DeNeve said. “I think it was just not what I’m used to.”

After Harper, things seemed to simmer down again as Jessica Russo took the stage.
“I might not be as interesting,” Russo said into the microphone in reference to the previous act. “Most of my songs are just about boys and spirituality.”

However, the crowd seemed to disagree with her, and by song two, seats were beginning to fill.

“She’s introspective, and I want to sing along with it,” DeNeve said. “The lyrics are just something I think we can all relate to.”

The last performer, David Gittinger, finished the evening with his Americana set, including a Marvin Gaye cover and an original about the Bloomington Cutters Little 500 team.

With the response the singer-songwriter nights are getting, Craft said he hopes Union Board will be able to schedule more.

“We are already planning for next semester,” Craft said.

Ulmer said as a solo musician she agrees that the idea is great and appreciates the Union Board’s efforts.

“I try to write real music. It’s what I love doing,” Ulmer said. “I just hope I can keep getting opportunities to share it with the world.”

If anyone is interested in performing, e-mail LFB@indiana.edu.