[Flyer courtesy of Kate Tocke]

By Julia Weber, Editorial Director

As rock lobsters everywhere brave the snow and trek through campus once again, what could be better than a warm, welcoming acoustic show at a beloved local haunt? Fight back the frostbite and join ACRN for an intimate, stripped back showcase of local talent at 8 p.m. this Friday at Donkey Coffee.

Taking the stage first on Friday is local singer-songwriter Jillian Kay. Kay is currently signed to Ohio University’s student-run record label, Brick City, and is an active member of Women in the Music Industry on campus. Her new single “Every Night” is about Athens, Ohio, which she describes as “a dream.”

Kay will perform alongside Diego Buhay, and said that it is their first time performing together. “I’m most excited to see the other talented performers, and it is also Diego and I’s first time performing live together, so I’m super stoked for that too,” she wrote in a text message.

Up next, Shadow in the Moon will play a set of laid back, dreamy indie folk tunes. When asked about what they are most looking forward to, the duo wrote in a text message: “We’re excited to hear other artists’ music and it’s been awhile since we played at Donkey.” They added that they are looking forward to sharing new material with listeners.

Finally, Riley James, a former Brick City artist, is slated to perform. James recently performed a live session during the inaugural ACRN radio residency, and they said in a text that they value working with students and campus organizations who share similar goals of working professionally in the music industry. “They could very easily be the reason I can pay my bills in the future so they deserve my respect,” James wrote in a text message.

James said they realized as an emerging musician that if they wanted the music they make to be good, they need to be honest in their self-expression. “I use music to work myself through trauma and unpack my feelings about major events in my life, as well as express my world views,” they explained in a text message. They view their music as being akin to journal entries, encasing a snapshot of what was happening in their life when they wrote them.

Evidently, there is loads of talent packed into Friday’s lineup and it certainly won’t be one to miss. Admission to the show is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 to support future music programming and events like this one. Stop by, grab a warm drink and kick back for a night of good tunes, community and relaxation.