Packing up and moving your entire livelihood from Georgia to New York City to seek a record deal could be considered a less than calculated career move. For alternative rock singer-songwriter Will McCranie, his east coast odyssey resulted in nothing less than a musical epic. In fact, transitions seem to inspire his best work, whether through states or states of mind.
Having graduated from his origins of coffee shop jam sessions and late night bar gigs, McCranie’s previous work displays a profound aggregation of regional influences. His 2009 release North/South recorded above and below the Mason-Dixon line, juxtaposes the vibrant appeal of big city life with the homemade sweet tea simplicity of the South. Another innovative venture was the 52/52 Project, in which McCranie released a song per week for a year. The result: a highly personal reflection of a year in the life of a young man and his guitar, complete with subtle seasonal tones.
2013 arrived with the release of his newest single, “Ain’t That Strange,” which candidly points out the peculiarities of falling in love. Sparkling with upbeat imagination, McCranie’s raw vocals bring a conversational feel to the track, as if offering guidance to every forlorn lover marveling at the intricacies of romance. And despite his lengthy journey from hopeful youngster to successful New York soloist, McCranie always seem to fit right in, no matter where he wanders. His journey continues with a stop in Charlottesville on Tuesday. ~Maggie Underwood
Tuesday 7/30 Miller’s