Singer-songwriters to perform free concert

To put it simply, Neal Anderson is stoked, and Tyler Ray is extremely nervous.

The mixed emotions coming from these singer-songwriters are undoubtedly stemming from their upcoming performances today at the Starbucks in the Indiana Memorial Union.

Freshmen Anderson and Ray will be joining three other artists at 6 p.m. for the showcase presented by Union Board. 

Brant Craft, the chief organizer of the event, said this is the first singer-songwriter night of the semester.

“I know some of the performers are bringing their own equipment, and I think we’ll have a great turnout,” Craft said. “It’s free and you get to chill out and learn about some of Bloomington’s solo acts.”

For the performers, this show has proved to be a great networking experience.

“My sister actually had a lot of connections with the local music scene in Bloomington, and I visited a lot so I knew the local venues and other musicians before moving here in August,” Anderson said.

Originally from Zionsville, Ind., Anderson has considered himself a singer-songwriter since the seventh grade.

Each artist is coming into this performance with his or her own different styles, which vary from indescribable electronic to mellow acoustic.

“I take inspiration for my music from a lot of things; my muses vary from emotions in my past, to the people I care about around me,” Ray said.

Though he is fairly new to the Bloomington music scene, Ray is ready to let audiences experience his music.

A mellow vibe is expected because of the coffeehouse setting, something Anderson said he doesn’t mind adjusting to.

“My songs are going to be stripped down acoustic, which is slightly different than the music I play with my band Specific Oceans,” Anderson said. “I love to write random lyrics with deeper meaning — songs with strong lyrics that can be performed in electric or acoustic situations.”