Brooklyn musician Mirah will be stopping off in Eugene to play at Cozmic Pizza on November 11 to promote her latest album Changing Light, which was released on May 13 of this year. Mirah, full name Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, has been releasing full-length solo and collaborative projects since the late 1990s. Her debut record with K Records released in 2000, You Think It’s Like This but Really It’s Like This, alongside its whimsy title, was pleasantly received.
She presently has a total of five full-length released albums and a number of EPs (both solo and collaborative), but what is really impressive is her track history with longterm collaborative projects.
She has collaborated with artists like The Microphones, Tune-Yards, Thao and many more. This is no surprise given her indie rock, pop and acoustic sound that allows for natural blending with multimedia or electronically focused artists. While her natural voice immediately receives attention, it’s the subtle and sincere tone layering over it that keeps it unique. Yet, she is hardly afraid to step out of the genres with which she is most associated with to experiment with her sound. Given this versatility, it will be interesting to see how her set list for her November 11 show, here in Eugene, is compiled.
The orchestral instruments give her a bit more of an edge than she can provide with her vocals alone. In fact, the entire show will hold this orchestral element since both Mirah and her opener Led to Sea are known to take advantage of the often-neglected art. Led to Sea is Seattle–based violist/violinist L. Alex Guy, who is oftentimes joined on stage by percussionists and bassists in effort to create a more layered sound. She has traveled both U.S. and Europe in promotion of her music, which is a refreshing classical revival.
Anyone who swoons to the sound of a tuned cello, violin or any instrument in an orchestra really would be hard-pressed to not enjoy themselves at this show. When classical and contemporary music are brought together, the result is hardly ever disappointing. This persistent orchestration throughout this show is enough reason in itself to attend. In fact, I implore those who need a break from their daily routines or even just a regular break, to show up at Cozmic Pizza the night of Mirah and Led to Sea’s combined show.
Follow Ghoncheh Azadeh on Twitter @GhonchehAzadeh