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Tonight: Mikaela Davis and Southern Star

December 12, 2019

Rochester-based songstress and premier harpist visits Babeville’s 9th Ward tonight for an evening of poppy, singer/songwriter star power. With her backing band Southern Star, Mikaela Davis‘ shine has risen over the past several years (prior to that was viral YouTube harp covers), in large part due to her 2018 debut album Delivery. Featuring Davis’ signature harp-playing integrated into dazzling and varied production, album highlights include the swelling head-nodder “Delivery” and the empowering harmonies of “In My Groove.” Davis’ lyrical themes are stream-of-conscience, lifted from a sharp-tongued diary. Most recently from her discog is”Take 54,” the opening track to 2019’s Tribute to Nillson, Vol. 2, a compilation of big names covering the work of early indie catalyst Harry Nillson. Davis has hinted on her social channels that 2020 may bring her follow-up album, so we’ll see if the mystifying harpist holds any surprises on the tracklist. The show kicks off at 8pm with doors at 7pm, $15 to get in that door. Get[...]

Tonight: Mikaela Davis

March 29, 2019

The best way to blaze your own trail is to learn all of the rules, and then throw them away. Rochester native Mikaela Davis studied orchestral harp for symphony playing in high school and college, and then she moved to Brooklyn to forge her own singer-songwriter career. This evening, she will bring her new album Delivery to the 9th Ward. Produced by Grammy Winner John Congleton, Delivery hands us beat and groove driven tracks such as “Get Gone” and “Do You Wanna Be Mine,” as well as beautifully sparse songs, “Emily” and “All I Do Is Disappear,” that proves Davis successfully forged her own harp centered singer-songwriter career. Also on the bill are rising Rochester rock act Dangerbyrd. Doors open at 7pm and there is a $12 cover. Written by Kevin Prentice

Mikaela Davis Performs on Consequence of Sound’s Treehouse Sessions

October 23, 2015

Rising Rochester singer-songwriter/harpist Mikaela Davis was recently featured in an episode of Treehouse Sessions, a live studio session performed in Chicago’s Treehouse Studios. The clip is the latest installment in an on going series featured on Rock It Out! Blog via Consequence of Sound. Over the past few weeks, Treehouse Sessions have featured performances from acts like San Fermin, Violent Femmes, JEFF the Brotherhood, and Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes. For her episode, Davis and her band tackled two new songs, “Other Lover” and “My Light is Always On.” Watch Davis perform “Other Lover” below, and to catch her full session, click here.

Mikaela Davis at Buffalo Iron Works (7/25/14)

July 28, 2014

This was a show that our fair city had waited six months for. Mikaela Davis was scheduled to come to the Tralf on January 3rd, but the show was canceled due to a pipe bursting at the venue. The weeks and months continued to build up, and we were left to wonder if the brilliant harpist from Rochester would be headed back any time soon. Thankfully, our prayers were answered, as Davis and her band played a fantastic show at Buffalo Iron Works on Friday. Davis’ band, consisting of drummer Alex Cote and guitarist Cian McCarthy (who played several other instruments during the evening), was extremely tight throughout the evening, providing the perfect compliment to Davis’ harp. Early this year, Davis released the EP Fortune Teller, and the tracks from it were featured prominently in the set list. “When The White Worse Takes Me Away” and “Feels Like Forever” in[...]

Tonight: Mikaela Davis

July 25, 2014

If you want to be able to say you saw a huge star before she was famous, you would be wise to get yourself the Buffalo Iron Works tonight and catch Mikaela Davis. Davis is a harpist from Rochester who has recorded two fantastic albums. The first was 2012’s self-titled record, and her January release, the Fortune Teller EP, was one of the best albums of 2014 so far. The manner in which Davis blends classical and pop is remarkable. Tracks like “I Wouldn’t” and “Lady Lavender” blend immediately catchy melodies with lush, intricate orchestration. Davis has an incredible ability to create complex, intricate music, and make it seem immediately accessible. After her show at the Tralf in January was canceled because of burst pipe, it’s wonderful to have this brilliant performer back in our fair city. As someone who was planning on attending that show, I was sorely bummed out.[...]

Mikaela Davis Releases “Out There Alone” Single

July 1, 2014

With a lengthy US tour on the horizon, Rochester-raised harp player, Mikaela Davis, has released her latest single, “Out There Alone.” One of her poppiest numbers yet, the track features fluttering, sunny harps backing Davis’ whistful cooing that should put her the category of indie-pop contemporaries like Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor. Keep an eye out for Davis as she brings her tour through Buffalo on Friday, July 25th at Buffalo Iron Works.

Mikaela Davis Arranges “Chicago” For Crane Harp Ensemble

June 19, 2014

A couple years ago, we caught wind of Rochester songtress, Mikaela Davis, and her rendition of Sufjan Steven’s “Casimir Pulaski Day.” The cover was a hit of sorts on Youtube and firmly entrenched the talented harp player on the blog’s radar. The buzz around Davis has been building over the years through cross-country touring and a SXSW appearance, all while becoming one of WNY’s best and most promising artists. In recent Davis news, she tackled another Stevens’ track, his breakthrough “Chicago,” this time rearranging the tune for the Crane Harp Ensemble out of SUNY Potsdam (Davis’ alma mater). The song is already getting some good burn on Soundcloud and you can listen for yourself below. Those wanting to catch Davis live in Buffalo should head down to Buffalo Iron Works on July 25th to see the real deal in person.