Var Gallery Presents: Caley Conway, Ryley Northrop & Merrill Miller

Friday, April 28th Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets on sale now! $12 online presale $15 at the door (plus online service charge) Caley  Conway is a paradox, and “Only a Dark Cocoon” finds her music at its  most seductively paradoxical. Conway has always been at home in  contrast— her music is orchestral yet minimal, full-sounding yet pared  back. Her sound has been described as folk, but at the same time it has  far too much bite. Conway’s vocals are comfortable yet haunting, and  dissonant chords bubble underneath the band’s innocent patina.  At home  in this world of contradictions, “Only a Dark Cocoon” evokes comparison  yet stands out. This ekphrastic piece draws inspiration from Joni  Mitchell’s song “The Last Time I Saw Richard,” expanding lyrical  snippets into three full-concept songs: 'The Last Time I Saw Him,'  'You've Got Tombs in Your Eyes,' and 'All Good Dreamers.' Conway approaches  Mitchell’s work like a collage, a close reading, or a writing prompt.   The EP sees Conway’s signature smoky vocal acrobatics undercut by warm,  gain-y electric guitar bordering on feedback, and supported with the  vintage sound of organ. Conway musically conjures the times, places, and  people that Mitchell narrated in “The Last Time I Saw Richard”. Far  from a cover, “Onla Dark Cocoon” is something inspired yet wholly  singular – a concoction that Mitchell (walking into a bar where it plays  on the jukebox), might turn her ear to as a half remembered dream. Ryley  is the lead singer for the Milwaukee based band "Wolves With Virginia"  citing influences such as "Shakey Graves" "Mister Heavenly" and "Nick  Cave". His unique Storytelling and Harmonious yet gritty delivery will  make for a memorable night! (It's like Caviar on Wonder Bread) Hailing  from a family of musicians and Grammy winning artists, Merrill Miller  strives to cut his own path. After being gifted a guitar for his 14th  birthday by his late father, Merrill quickly began learning anything and  everything that intrigued him, including metal, punk, country, and  rock. Though born in Wisconsin, Merrill grew up in Mississippi and was  steeped in Delta Blues at a young age, which colors his stylings to this  day.