Photo Credit: Audrey Leon

Folk-pop songstress Mirah played a stripped down set to a packed house at Schubas on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. The night belonged to Mirah’s latest release, (a)spera, which was played nearly in its entirety. Mirah sprinkled a few older songs into the set such as “Jerusalem” and “We’re Both So Sorry” from 2004’s C’mon Miracle and “Cold, Cold Water” from 2001’s Advisory Committee.

Mirah’s jolly and quirky demeanor quickly won over the audience with jokes about absorbing opening act Norfolk and Western as they filed on stage to join her backing band (“Become a part of me!”) and how disorganized she is even with the aid of a planner. Norfolk and Western drummer Rachel Blumberg manned the kit for an impressive four sets that night.

The most electrifying moment was “Nola,” from Mirah’s 2007 charity single for Hurricane Katrina relief. The crowd was so quiet that a glass could be heard shattering on the floor as Mirah tenderly repeated the lyrics, “It’s not your fault Pontchartrain / It’s not your fault, levy break / It’s not your fault, hurricane / It’s not you I’m gonna blame.” After being trapped by the crowd, Mirah’s band continued on with the encore, which included a high-energy dance reprise of “Gone Are The Days.”