LASplash.com: Music

Mieka Pauley - Elijah Drop Your Gun

By Angela Ambrosini Haliski

Nestled in the busy streets of " I love NYC" tees and Empire State Building souvenirs, places like BB Kings Blues Club open its stage to independent artists such as the singer and songwriter, Mieka Pauley.

Mieka Pauley
Mieka Pauley

Although most ipod junkies have not yet heard of Pauley's similar Patty Griffin and Ben Harper sounds, her inspirations are rather simplistic, comprised of musical lines, lyrics and experiences that are all sublimely expressed in her newly released album, Elijah Drop Your Gun; debuted this fall 2007.

Formerly from the college-bound town of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Pauley recently moved to the hectic and overcrowded city of New York as devoted fans and fame continue to faithfully follow and support her.

Photography by Phil Carias
Photography by Phil Carias


Her new album, bundled with songs such as, all the same mistakes, and devil's got my secret, express her intense, sexy voice as it carries you to the utter end of her final, efficacious, guitar strokes.


Melodious and jazz infused, Pauley's style emanates a modern twist to ageless ballads and intimate improvisational music, full of emotion and depth in each of her songs. Performing with her electric guitar her emphasis is on her vigorous vocals and her passion for music and the audience.

" I would love to have the aura and respect of Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin," explains Pauley, " but I have no idea who I actually am similar to - what you want and think is always different than who you are."

Photography by Jennifer Simon
Photography by Jennifer Simon


With such a prismatic personality, her shows are comprised of audience interaction, caffeinated latte's and pouring encores in a serene, soft lit room, much like her last show at BB Kings in Times Square, New York City.

" I just want my listeners to hear themselves in my songs, and re-evaluate the meaning to fit them," expresses Pauley.


photo by Phil Carias
photo by Phil Carias


" I don't want people to know what I'm writing about, because I think that destroys their attachment to the songs. any time I find out what a song is about, it goes down a notch, because it no longer speaks directly to me, but rather to someone else entirely," says Pauley.

Starting in 2000, albums such as, Mieka Pauley, and her first Acoustic EP in 2003, covered songs such as,  sweet love, and, the way it is, highlights her lingering, sultry vocals and smooth guitar, allowing shivers to crawl up your spine as the wine starts to tranquilize.


photo by Phil Carias
photo by Phil Carias


Currently independent, her new album was funded entirely by fan donations, which are presently indulging in her new tunes as they waited seven years for a new collection to be released.

Performing all over the United States, Pauley, continues to share her music, at local coffee shops, bars, colleges and everything in between.

 

" I will continue and continue to tour. it's what I love to do and it's a huge part of what make music into music for me - playing in front of different people in different places every night," says Pauley.

" I have vague goals to grow artistically, but have not set any tangible goals. that just leads to disappointment and failure, nothing ever goes the way you intend. I just sort of go along with wherever all this is taking me."

Mieka Pauley and Angela Ambrosini
Mieka Pauley and Angela Ambrosini

Band members consists of: Brian Cassagnol (producer, guitarist on record), Sarab Singh (drummer live & on record), Daniel Mintseris (keys live & on record), Andrew Morgan (bass on record), Rob Calder (bass live) and Thad DeBrock (guitarist live).

To find our more about Mieka Pauley and to hear samples of her new album please visit her web site at www.miekapauley.com

To read more about Angela Ambrosini Haliski please visit her web site at  www.angelaambrosini.com





Published Nov 3, 2007
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