Sat 2/1 @ 7:30PM
Fans of local music may be familiar with singer/songwriter/guitarist Michelle Gaw with a guileless, approachable voice that manages to be forceful yet intimate — and sometimes almost sweet — at the same time, driven songs that, whether direct or convoluted, have the naturalness of speaking to you. She’s graced many area clubs with her acoustic performances.
But the versatile musician does double duty, fronting a band called Mimi Arden, sharing the stage with bassist Joe Botta and drummer Lee Kolarik, who help her flesh out her songwriting with fuller, punchier arrangements. Together they released a self-titled ten-track album in 2018, with Gaw on acoustic guitar, and the band augmented by the ubiquitous Ray Flanagan on electric guitar, Russell Flanagan on keyboards and Elizabeth Bullock on harmonies. The result is a set of vocal performances by Gaw that are looser, freer and more expansive, with an almost jazzy feel to the band’s nuanced for rock that sometimes recalls Rickie Lee Jones or a less soporific Diana Krall.
That album and the band’s single “What’s Worse” released last spring, should whet people’s appetites for the new EP the band will be releasing this week with a show at Mahall’s. Mr. Carnivore will join them for the show. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.