Acoustic memories

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Between the walls of Northwind Arts Center that held their own stories, a pair of singer/songwriters told their own, through the medium of music and lyrics.

Singer/songwriter Anna Tivel weaved poetic words with her guitar for a room full of close listeners, sharing stories of her various experiences through her travels. Before each of her original numbers, Tivel would give a bit of background about the story she was about to sing or context of the inspiration.

Whether it concerned a walk around a Georgia town where she stumbled into a theater to see a janitor cleaning up while singing at the top of his lungs, or about when her uncles were getting married, each song is connected to a memory she had in her past.

As a treat for her audience of a couple dozen, Tivel performed the titular track from her upcoming album “The Question,” slated for an April release. She was accompanied by her friend Tim Karplus, providing electric guitar as background for her vocals and her acoustic guitar sounds.

Tivel was the headliner Sept. 26 for Northwind Arts Center's Songwriting Showcase, a monthly event aimed at bringing in a variety of musicians focused on the art of writing and performing original pieces.

Jason McCue, who shares the same recording label, Fluff and Gravy, set a slightly different tone than Tivel. Contrary to Tivel, McCue had a different kind of energy, as he showcased his proficiency around the fretboard of his acoustic guitar. Classically trained, McCue could have been mistaken as a mariachi guitarist at times, as he frantically plucked away on the six strings.

He took some time between each song to talk with the audience. McCue invited his viewers to take one of several business cards, which were decorated with pencil sketches of humorous cartoons, such as a football vomiting after a Tom Brady spiral.

McCue told the audience about his fascination with the ferries, which he took for the first time to get to Port Townsend, and was amazed at how they functioned. During her set, Tivel put the spotlight back on McCue between two of songs, telling her audience about McCue's desire to see just one whale while en route to Port Townsend, which he accomplished with a boyish glee.

Tivel said she, McCue and Karplus even discussed finding an apartment to “hole up and write” throughout the winter months, adding that their stay in Port Townsend was inviting.

“I think some in the audience were astonished at Jason McCue’s ability to play intricate classical guitar-style melodies and sing along with them in an unhesitant falsetto,” said Matt Miner, who orchestrates the series. “And Anna Tivel’s old soul in a young voice was stunning to those new to her music. Each of these shows builds on the last. The regular audience members are learning about the breadth of talent around the Northwest, and the newcomers appear pleasantly surprised at the special voices we can bring to Port Townsend.”

The Songwriter Series will continue when Marv and Rindey Ross make a visit at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Northwind Arts Center.