Spring Break
WoodSongs features folk, fiery swing
John Tyczkowski
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Focus
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Also present was UConn alumna and Connecticut State Troubadour Lara Herscovitch, who performed five songs near the end of the night. She took the time to answer the question of what a state troubadour was: "a poet laureate for music, of sorts." Herscovitch also offered encouraging words to all the fledgling musicians, mentioning that who won didn't matter; the night was all about bringing everyone together with music.
Lastly, she mentioned that it was important for all the contestants to keep writing and performing despite the outcomes that night. Yesha Doshi, a 2nd-semester management major, echoed this sentiment when she mentioned that no matter what, she "had a lot of fun that night, and everyone did really well!"
Kristen Errett captured the first place win for the event. Featured on the piano, her two songs included the energetic, Carole King-like "Take Me Away," followed by the Jim Brickmanesque "Look Me in the Eyes." Errett's performance featured elaborate playing on the keyboard, synced up with powerful, expressive vocals, for two well put together and professional-sounding songs.
The second place award went to Ben Bishop, featured on guitar. Also a member of A Minor, Bishop showed that his guitar skills were just as well developed as his vocal skills. The folksy "Echoes of Static" basked in an enticing major/minor ambivalence and was followed by the well written "Clouds Tonight," including some vocal improvisation near the end.
Third place was captured by Raymond Day, who changed the tone of the evening by breaking out a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar. His two selections included the swinging, upbeat tune "I Saw You," and most popularly, "If They Told You to Like Me," a scathing commentary and attack on today's music industry. For the last song, Day dialled in some distortion on his guitar for a punk feel and got the audience to clap along.
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