Photograph by Kate Olsen
Jared VanWormer performed at UW-P’s first Open Mic Night of the semester Sept. 9. Recording artist Sean McConnell opened the night with a few of his own original songs.

The Pioneer Haus sprang to life  Sept. 9 as the music of Sean McConnell and UW-Platteville students filled the air. The first Open Mic Night of the year took place last Wednesday night and was thoroughly enjoyed by the student audience.

Sean McConnell started the night with a variety of songs from his three albums: “Cold Black Sky,” “Tell the Truth” and his newest album, “The Walk Around.”

McConnell grew up in Boston in the middle of the city’s music scene. Both of his parents were full-time musicians, so Sean spent a lot of time in coffee houses listening to a variety of artists. He now resides in Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he writes and records with Warner/Chappell Music. McConnell classifies his music as “Americana rock with some blues.”

“I write songs about stuff I live, see and feel,” McConnell said. “I try to write songs about things I have experienced.”

McConnell gave the crowd an emotional and soulful performance while singing original songs like “Close Enough” and “Somewhere Beautiful,” before serving as host for the rest of the acoustic performers.

Ben Wians, freshman mechanical engineering major, performed “Cocoon” by Jack Johnson, and his own original piece “Alabama.”  This was Wians’ first Open Mic experience.

“I really just got dragged into it but it was actually really fun and I would do it again,” Wians said.

Performers ranged from first-timers like Wians, to Open Mic veterans such as Aaron Whalen, senior business administration major, who played guitar and sang two original songs. Whalen classifies his song writing style as “country punk.”

Whalen has performed during past Open Mic nights but said, “I was actually more nervous this time because I usually perform with my band mate, Adam White.”

The first Open Mic of the year not only served as a showcase for McConnell’s music, but also as a launching pad for UW-P’s aspiring artists. McConnell gave advice to people who want to make it in the music business, saying, “Just be honest and write about what you understand, don’t try to be the next John Mayer.”