Emotion-driven music

Mercy Driver
Harrison Center for the Arts Underground
Friday, June 3

The 2004 Midwest Music Summit gave birth to a unique four-member collaborative singer-songwriter team as a result of having jammed together at the now gone CATH Coffeehouse. New York’s Dave Golden and Jeremiah Birnbaum with Illinois’ Shelley Miller and Kara Kulpa tour as Mercy Driver.

They brought their combined poetic and soulful talents to Indianapolis for two back-to-back shows — the first of which took place last Friday night at the all-ages Harrison Center for the Arts’ Underground. Unfortunately, the new sound system for the HCA literally cracked under pressure, leading the foursome to ditch their mics and the stage and turn their concert into an intimate, audience participation rock-folky shindig. Lyrics and mood are key for these artists, so the impromptu move to the floor only enhanced their performance and engaged the dedicated audience.

As individual artists and performers, the Mercy Driver players each possess refined voices and polished musicianship. Put it all together and you’ve got emotion-driven music and, as was the case last Friday night, a riotously fun time. Visit www.jeremiahbirnbaum.com for more details and info on the quartet.
Concerts in the Underground coincide with exhibition openings in the upstairs gallery and are free.