Mikal Evans
Brooklyn, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | AFTRA
Music
Press
On A Jailhouse…A Kingdom, the the first track–”Dark Hushes Light”–captures the ear. Haunting and slightly chilling, it’s the type of song one would expect to hear at a filled Bowery Ballroom. The country tinge in “That City” leads the song. To me, it detracts from the song. It’s slightly jarring put in place next to the first song. The albums standout track–”Drunkest Hour”–is a rocking, guitar driven song that gets you on your feet–perfect for the early morning preparation ritual. The only track that I wasn’t a fan of would be “Virgin Wind.” While it fits nicely into the album as a whole, the song itself isn’t as enjoyable as the first thirty seconds leads one to think. All together, the album stands as hope for a rising young artist that may someday fall on the radar.
–Tania Katherine - Tania Katherine
Discography
"a jailhouse...a kingdom" EP (Gypsy Eyes Records) 2008
"Build a Cannon" LP (Bird of Birds Music) 2012
"a jailhouse...a kingdom" is available for streaming on Pandora.
Photos
Bio
Mikal Evans has a folk rock sound of a woman in charge.
After a stint with acoustic players, Revival, laying down the keys and violin, she decided to go solo and perform music a little more her own style. Her morose and sultry voice drive her acoustic rock sound, reminiscent of a Tom Waits structure but with sweetly melodious vocals, simultaneously taking influences from the indie rock movement as much as singer/songwriter genres.
For Evans, influences are dated back to when she was growing up in Moore, South Carolina. That is where she first heard her father record bands in a converted schoolhouse gymnasium (previously owned by the Marshal Tucker Band), and thats where she found music to be her calling. She bought a guitar at 16 and began writing songs immediately, picking up gigs around her hometown and just generally honing in on her craft.
After college, she moved to Washington, D.C., signed to Gypsy Eyes Records, and began playing all over the district with Timothy Bracken for months. Before heading into the studio, the duo added the drum work of Jerry Busher (French Toast) and bass stylings of Ashish Vyas (Thievery Corporation). However, this band was unable to tour due to side projects.
As for her solo efforts, Evans debuted with an EP, A Jailhouse A Kingdom, released June 2008 by D.C. based Gypsy Eyes Records. The tracks are etched with an Appalachian influence and often accompanied by mysterious lyrical content that demands a second listen.
Since her debut release, Evans has been living in New York City where she frequents venues such as the Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower East Side and Spike Hill in Williamsburg. Her first LP Build a Cannon, released February 2012, echoes the southern feel of her first release in songs like Holding on to and Home, while taking the bite of stronger indie rock influence. Her first attack at producing, Build a Cannon is laced with those dark guitars tones, haunting lyrics, and an edge we didnt hear in her first release.
Current Band Members include Bob Lanzetti (Snarky Puppy), Glenn Grossman (Mahavatar) and Uri Kleinman.
The DCist wrote: Evans style is best summed up by an observation from one audience member: This reminds me of a really good P.J Harvey song. To her credit, Evans has sincerity by the bucket. Like her raspy voice, her melodies seem to prize honesty over prettiness.
Band Members
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