(Photo by Tammy Shell)
Our next featured Crossroads Music Fest artist is Mikal Shapiro. Like Velghe, she’s a prolific songwriter with a distinct personality in her music. Mikal recently moved back to Kansas City after spending time around the country. We’re glad to be able to sit down with her and find out more about her and what she’s up to.
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
Mikal Shapiro: An internationally-unknown Broadway musical about a gypsy bandit and her love for animals.
The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?
Mikal: I just moved back home after a seven-year hiatus in New York, Hawaii and Chicago, so I’m ready to make some music with my KC crew. I play CMF with Kasey Rausch in our new project Partners in Glory Saturday, September 8 from 8:00 to 9:00 pm at Czar. Then Thursday, September 20 at Coda with Betse Ellis and John Keck. At the end of the month, I’m at Prospero’s Bookstore with Brian Frame, on Saturday, September 29 at 10:30 pm. You could say I’m making up for lost time.
The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?
Mikal: Getting off the internet and going outside where real music exists on a daily basis.
The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?
Mikal: So many to choose from but off the top: Witch and Hare, Rural Grit All-Stars, Ruddy Swain, Kasey Rausch, Metatone, Dead Voices, Victor and Penny, Brian Frame, Amy Farrand, Makuza, Folkicide, Terrence Moore, People’s Liberation Big Band, Stan Kessler, Claire Adams, Rachel Gaither, Emily Tummons and the crickets in my basement.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
Mikal: Eleni Mandell (LA), Elvis Perkins (NY), Celia Shacklett and Fire Dog (STL), DeVotchka (CO), Mountain Man, Dark Dark Dark, Boog (Philly), The Cartolinas (Chicago), Box Jellyfish (Chicago), Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (NY).
The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Crossroads Music Fest this year?
Mikal: Dang, all of them. Those I know, those I don’t know. I’m lucky to be in the lineup with all these rockers.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?
Mikal: I played it. Ruddy Swain and Eleni Mandell at Davey’s Uptown. Where were you? 🙂
The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
Mikal: Yes.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
Mikal: Lisa Gerrard: her ghostly voice.
Leonard Cohen: his smoking lyrics.
Eleni Mandell: her ghostly voice and smoking lyrics.
For the fourth, I’m thinking Rural-Grit All-Star Mark Smeltzer. Have you seen his face? It’s awesome..
The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?
Mikal: Mikalshapiro.com, baby.
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for The Deli audience?
Mikal: Dear music lovers, show your faces. You are my heroes. You make the scene. Thank you for your support.
Mikal plays the fest this Saturday at 8:00 pm at Czar. Be sure to make it to see her wonderful, artistic work.
–Michelle Bacon
| Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. Her favorite salty snack growing up was Shrimp Chips from the Asian grocery store. |