And The Winner Is … Mieka Pauley

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Mieka Pauley performs during Local Music Week at WERS
(Kristen Fritz/WERS)

By Paige Trubatch

Local musician Mieka Pauley is a winner. Literally–her music has won her not only local and national recognition, but also cash and free recording time. While she already has an album out entitled Elijah Drop Your Gun, (the vocals of which were recorded right here in the WERS studios) she is excited about the four-song demo she will get to record for free as a result of the Cosmopolitan Star Launch contest she entered on a whim. Pauley is ready to produce some new material, though only two of the four tracks on the demo will be wholly new.

In addition to that contest which also won her $10,000, Pauley has won other recognitions through the New York Songwriters’ Circle. The set included songs both off of Elijah Drop Your Gun and contest winners. The first track performed was the sexy acoustic number “9:45,” followed by “All the Same Mistakes,” the song which won her the New York Songwriters’ Circle contest (and $5,000 more dollars). Pauley’s voice is slightly deep yet feminine will a versatile range, and a different energy came across in each different track.

Mieka also discussed her third trip to the SXSW music festival held in Austin, Texas every year. This was the first she year she decided to bring her band along, the crew made a three day there, three day back journey to the annual event.

“It was fun once I got over the guilt of cramping them in the car ’cause I couldn’t afford to buy them plane tickets, but we had a good time,” she said.

Pauley feels like she got to see a lot of cool acts over the course of the “cacophonous” festival, including April Smith who sticks out in Pauley’s mind.

The last song performed in the set was an edgy number called “We’re All Gonna Die.” With an intensified energy and amped-up attitude, it was definitely a fun way to end Pauley’s visit for Local Music Week.

For more Mieka Pauley, check out this article on WERS.ORG