While attending Harvard University, the Bostonian singer/songwriter Mieka Pauley began her award-winning and fast track journey to becoming the next big thing.
The organic and unique tone in Mieka’s voice easily distinguishes her from the monotony of what other musicians are trying to pull off. Although the arrangement of her songs are very much pop-driven, her intense delivery gives off an edgy rocker chick vibe – a combination that is rarely done well. It’s been awhile since I’ve heard a female pour her heart out as passionately as Mieka does. She captures her listeners with the contagious vulnerability of her realistic, no-nonsense lyrics. The honesty that exudes from her as she sings each and every note is nothing short of mesmerizing [especially during a live performance].
Her extreme talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2005 she was awarded the grand prize in the first Starbucks Emerging Artist competition. Elijah Drop Your Gun, her debut full-length album, was then released in 2007. In 2008 she won the New York Songwriters Circle 3rd annual songwriting contest AND took Cosmopolitan Magazine’s first ever StarLaunch Fun Fearless Female Rockstar of the Year title. As one of the grand prizes for the latter, she recorded the EP From The Mouth of Paris for free in 2009! Mieka also had the amazing opportunity to perform her chilling “Hallelujah”cover for Jeff Buckley’s mother this year during SXSW in Austin, Texas. She somehow managed to achieve all of this while touring with Citizen Cope, Natasha Bedingfield, Solange Knowles, KT Tunstall, Ben Kweller, Mason Jennings, John Legend, The Avett Brothers and others.
If all of these nationally recognized accomplishments aren’t enough to impress you, then get your head out of your ass. But it looks like her 2011 is shaping up to be a big year whether you want to jump on the bandwagon or not. To start it off she will be supporting Edwin McCain on his acoustic northeast tour in January. And then, her song “Devil’s Got My Secret” will be featured in the upcoming Bruce Beresford film (starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener) called Peace, Love and Misunderstanding.
Mieka Pauley’s smoky, yet oddly refreshing voice is exactly what the female singer/songwriter world has been missing. Even though she already has quite a lot under her belt, I have a feeling this is only the beginning.
