Cappuccino Joe's is generally known on campus for thick, tasty sandwiches and a homey atmosphere, but many students may not be aware of another aspect of the restaurant - the Thursday night music series.
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| Merav Lichtenstein/Staff |
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Michelle Malone demonstrated her eclectic music style at a performance at Cappuccino Joe's Thursday as part of the Hummingbird Music Series. Though many students are unaware of the series or don't attend events, Malone drew an uncharacteristically large crowd.
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Unfortunately, it often seems that very few people realize or care that this music exists, as reflected in the attendance level at many of the shows held at Cappuccino Joe's. Talented performers like Caroline Aiken, Meredith LaVande and John Mayer have performed at Cappuccino Joe's over the past several months, attracting only small crowds of people. "Large audiences come to hear campus groups like No Strings Attached or The Gathering, but less known talented local artists don't receive as much attention," College freshman Adam Koss said.
College freshman Jocelyn Cohen has an idea why these groups don't receive the attention they deserve. "The only advertising I usually see for these shows has been on LearnLink," she said. "I also don't think that Thursday night is a good time slot because a lot of people go out."
But last Thursday was an exception, when local singer-songwriter Michelle Malone came to the old train station to perform. Accompanied by bassist David LaBruyere and drummer Michael Lorant, she managed to draw an uncharacteristically large crowd to listen to her unique style blending folk, rock, jazz and blues.
"I saw a lot of people there that I have never seen on this campus before," College sophomore Kristin Cochran said. "I think it served to bring the greater Atlanta community to Emory's campus."
Malone's performance illustrated her eclectic musical style by drawing from older albums, like "New Experience" (1988), as well as from her most recent album, Homegrown, which was released last August. She performed songs like "Hollow Day" and "All I Can Give You (Is Me)," demonstrating the jazz and blues aspect of her music. Other songs like "Grace" and "Green" illustrate her rock side, while "Havasu Falls" and "Home Grown" bring out the folk singer that is a central part of much of her music.
For the past several months, Malone has been touring to promote Homegrown. Malone said that album has a more uplifting tone than previous ones and she attributed this change in her songwriting to the process of growing older and learning. College freshman Laurel DeCou said she enjoys Malone's new album as well as her older material.
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| Special |
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Although Michelle Malone has toured with big bands, she runs her own record label and says she refuses to sell out.
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"She's an amazing songwriter and guitar player," DeCou said. "Her voice is one of the best I have ever heard, and I appreciate that she has kept true to her own musical style."
"Her performance at Cappy Joe's was incredible and energetic," DeCou said. "I've never seen so many people come out for the Hummingbird Music Series before."
Although Malone has toured with big names like The Dave Matthews Band and The Indigo Girls, she said she considers her mother, who is also a singer, to be her most significant influence. Growing up, Malone was exposed largely to her mother's musical collection, which ranged from Bonnie Raitt to Linda Ronstadt and Billie Holiday. Ultimately, Malone defines her own style as, "Rootsy, folk-rockin' pop. … For people who still think that corporate rock is lame."
As Malone eloquently puts it, "radio sucks!" What causes her to have such negative feelings towards such a popular medium? According to Malone, since radio is clearly driven by profit, the industry tends to play artists that are backed by money. Frequently, the more money behind an artist or a song, the more likely the radio is to give the song airtime, she said. Malone said the music should "be judged on its merits, not on the money behind it."
Malone says she will continue running her own record label because she is happy with the current challenges that it presents. She also frequently updates her Web site, www.michellemalone.com.
Malone is scheduled to play in Atlanta again at the acoustic venue Eddie's Attic April 22.
