Students perform at Memorial Union

By Jess Camp

Published Feb. 9, 2007

On any given night, students can be found chatting, studying or just lounging and sipping coffee in Memorial Union. On Thursday, it contained those usual things, but something was different.

Upon opening those tricky doors, wafting notes of acoustic guitar greeted passersby. Once entering the café area, a stage with large speakers, spotlights and a microphone was set up where the Missouri Students Association Department of Student Activities' College Music Committee held a concert with two local talents.

"We want to showcase local bands," College Music Committee Chairwoman Rachel Parrish said. "We want to give them a chance to get their name and music out to the public."

The committee started a series of shows last spring. It isn't advertised much because the committee would rather attendance be random.

It would like for students to enjoy it as they are passing through or studying, Parrish said. Last spring the performances were held outside Plaza 900 dining hall, where students walking to and from their activities could enjoy some live tunes.

The first band to perform was Caulfield and the Magic. Its members are singer senior Casey Reeves and guitarist and a violinist Lisbeth Yasuda. The style of music has an alternative country/folk rock vibe.

"This is a weird show to play," Reeves said. "I'm used to playing in smoky bars full of drunk people."

He said he has performed in front of people since he was 10 years old and doesn't usually get the jitters.

The duo's new CD, House Painters, will be released on Feb. 23. Mojo's will hold a CD release party for it that night.

Caulfield and the Magic had some fans in the audience Wednesday night.

Freshman Madison Blumenschein was jubilant about seeing them perform. She is a friend of the band's on Myspace.com, which is how she heard about the show, and has liked the group for about a year.

"I'm excited because I normally see them play at The Blue Fugue, and it's like a $7 cover charge and then more because I'm not 21," she said. "Having them play here is a good way to keep from going broke."

Blumenschein said local band gigs like this one are beneficial.

"I think it's good for them to get into universities where people like music," she said. "It's cool because they can play for people that come here every night and expand their fan-base."

Reeves' sister, Hannah Reeves, was also in the attendance. She said she would enjoy his music even if she weren't his sister.

"The CD is incredible," Hannah Reeves said. "It sounds like old music, but it's really brilliant."

The second singer to perform was sophomore Jake Kohut. He was a one-man show, playing his guitar, harmonica and singing during the set.

"It's pretty tense being on stage, but it gets relaxed," Kohut said. "If you're laid-back then the crowd will be too."

Kohut cracked jokes onstage and made the audience laugh. He covered a Matchbox 20 song and said he aspires to be like singer Jason Mraz.