Looking to add a little flavor to that coffee? Come to Brown and Brew Caf?© Wednesday nights and support your fellow Tufts students and local performers at "Brown and Brew Unplugged."
Whether you want a little background music to accompany your studying, a soundtrack to your conversations or soothing melodies to alleviate the day's stress, "Brown and Brew Unplugged" is the place to go. From 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., your local caf?© and study hub will be transformed into an acoustic performance space where this month's four performers will offer varied fare to help you warm up on those cold fall nights.
To kick off the month, Geoff Brown (LA '06) will perform an eclectic set this Wednesday, reflecting the music major's study at Tufts and elsewhere. With five independently released albums, Brown is making his way in the music world with his trusty guitar and mandolin.
No stranger to the local music scene, Brown has participated in a variety of ensembles (jazz, Javanese gamelan, klezmer and African music), and has studied Celtic and bluegrass on mandolin. The Brown and Brew alum describes the venue as "a relaxed atmosphere and more of a vibe than a 'show.'"
Junior Ben Levine, another "Unplugged" veteran, also lauds the calm ambience. "It was very informal and relaxed," said Levine. "This year I expect it will be a bunch of cool people just hanging out."
Levine is next in the series to grace the stage, bringing with him his blend of acoustic music and classic rock on Oct. 11. Formerly with a band, this time the musician will give a solo performance.
Senior Neil Padover (who is also the Chief Copy Editor for The Daily), will headline at Brown and Brew Oct. 18, his ninth performance at the venue in the past three years. Padover plays acoustic guitar and sings mostly pop, but he also sings classic rock and some R&B. Though he's played on and off since seventh grade, he doesn't consider himself a very skilled musician.
"I'm really just a performer who likes to interpret other people's songs and share my own," said Padover.
The audience isn't always so receptive to that sharing, however: "There are always people hanging in the background drinking coffee and doing homework," said Padover. "So, I try not to disturb them. This show should be fun and laid-back."
That laid-back feel also serves to make the stage familiar and intimate. "It's like playing guitar to your friends in the living room," said senior Manan Shah.
Shah, the final performance of the month, showcases his talents Oct. 25. A music major, Shah has been playing the guitar since sixth grade; his style has evolved into what he describes as a "blues-influenced folk music." Specifically, his influences include The Band, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Counting Crows. Shah, too, has a history with the Brown and Brew stage, having played regularly since freshman year.
"Brown and Brew Unplugged" happens every Wednesday night during the semester; with such a diverse musical lineup, these performances are sure to appeal to any music lover. In the words of someone wise, you can't pass up a free show. Go ahead and support your local music scene while sipping a nice cup of joe.
