You Should Hear: Nancy Micciulla

You Should Hear: Nancy Micciulla

April 13, 2012 · by Casey Zakin · in ,

Since performing at the Dewey Beach festival in 2003, Nancy Micciulla has been gaining popularity and winning – really. She’s won Best Singer Songwriter of Sussex County Local Grammys, two Standout Performer awards in 2008 from two cafes in Philadelphia, a General Lafayetto Inn Acoustic Artist Showcase…the list of her awards and performances go on, but they do little to encapsulate just how much of a jem she is.

The Philadelphia native recorded a solo acoustic 5-track album in 2003 titled In These Walls and released a full length album, The One to Shine, in 2009. Since the album’s release, she’s been doing just that. As Ms. Micciulla and her guitar makes their rounds up and down the eastern seabord, I can only imagine her growing in popularity. There’s a staggering hole in the indie-rock, pop influenced folk/country genre, and Ms. Micciulla fills it incredibly well.

With catchy, smart lyrics and a voice that’s strong, melodic, and sweet, I was sold from my very first time through The One to Shine. Perking up at the lines “I don’t wanna be your lover, got over that one years ago; I don’t wanna be your secret, doesn’t do much for my ego.” I quickly learned that Ms. Micciulla doesn’t bank on worn-out sentiments – be they lyrical or instrumental. “San Diego” takes more of an acoustic guitar/singer angle, whereas “Beneath My Skin” is just her voice and a piano accompaniment.

“The leaves are changing, it’s September

And beauty like this can sometimes heal

Think I miss you out of habit now

Think I don’t know how I feel”

So opens “Passenger Seat”, the opening track of the album; walking you into Nancy Micciulla’s world – where girls go to California to get away, to look for freedom, to change the situation. “Wildflowers” is fun and alive; it’s a love song, of sorts, but Ms. Micciulla makes it evident to say she’s her own person and could do ‘this’ on her own, but maybe, just maybe wants someone to share that with her. Beautifully honest, simple, and relatable, The One to Shine is like this the whole way through. It’s a pleasure to listen to and every time I turn back to it, I can’t find anything I don’t like about the album. It makes for great driving music, on those weekends you’re headed north to Indy and just want to chill out, but it’s music you can sing along and jam to as well. I don’t know how she’s done it, I really and truly don’t, but I’m even more convinced she should make it out to the midwest. Until then, check out the two live performances below and make sure to head over to her website. She’s also on twitter, @NancyMicciulla – tell her WIUX sent you.

Passenger Seat, Live:

Wildflowers, Live:

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