Mikal Evans: Indie sound, southern soul.


Mikal Evans has a folk rock sound of a woman in charge.

After a stint with acoustic players, Revival, laying down the keys and violin, she decided to go solo and perform music a little more her own style. Her morose and sultry voice drive her acoustic rock sound, reminiscent of a Tom Waits structure but with sweetly melodious vocals, simultaneously taking influences from the indie rock movement as much as singer/songwriter genres.

For Evans, influences are dated back to when she was growing up in Moore, South Carolina. That is where she first heard her father record bands in a converted schoolhouse gymnasium (previously owned by the Marshal Tucker Band), and that's where she found music to be her calling. She bought a guitar at 16 and began writing songs immediately, picking up gigs around her hometown and just generally honing in on her craft.

After college, she moved to Washington, D.C., signed to Gypsy Eyes Records, and began playing all over the district with Timothy Bracken for months. Before heading into the studio, the duo added the drum work of Jerry Busher (French Toast) and bass stylings of Ashish Vyas (Thievery Corporation). However, this band was unable to tour due to side projects.

As for her solo efforts, Evans' debuted with an EP, "A Jailhouse...A Kingdom," released June 2008 by D.C. based Gypsy Eyes Records. The tracks are etched with an Appalachian influence and often accompanied by mysterious lyrical content that demands a second listen.

Since her debut release, Evans has been living in New York City where she frequents venues such as the Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower East Side and Spike Hill in Williamsburg. Her first LP "Build a Cannon", released February 2012, echoes the southern feel of her first release in songs like "Holding on to" and "Home", while taking the bite of stronger indie rock influence. Her first attack at producing, "Build a Cannon" is laced with those dark guitars tones, haunting lyrics, and an edge we didn't hear in her first release.

The DCist wrote: "Evans' style is best summed up by an observation from one audience member: "This reminds me of a really good P.J Harvey song". To her credit, Evans has sincerity by the bucket. Like her raspy voice, her melodies seem to prize honesty over prettiness."

  Mikal Evans

[Build a Cannon by Mikal Evans]

Build a Cannon


[A jailhouse, a kingdom by Mikal Evans]

A jailhouse, a kingdom



Mikal Evans lives in New York, USA.

Tagged as: Alt Rock, Folk-Rock.


Recommended artists:
  1. Brad Senne: dreamy, acoustic folk rock
  2. Chiwawa: He who sings thinks no evil
  3. Burnshee Thornside: funny, funky blues
  4. Arthur Yoria: catchy, whip smart alt-rock
  5. Broken Poets: indie rock when lyrics were king
  6. Collection Get: jazz vocalist + sad robot = indie pop
  7. Brad Sucks: brilliantly sardonic indie rock
  8. Ash Ganley: masterfully nuanced AAA rock
  9. Chad Farran: an impressive journey through Latin rhythms and moves
  10. Attic Trax: Chilled downtempo with a bit of attitude
  11. Cary Kanno: Uptempo, happy, banjo-driven acoustic folk pop
  12. Candidate: Hook-laden anthems of survival and triumph
  13. Andre Rodriguez: melodic rock combining memorable melodies with thoughtful storytelling
  14. Daniel Knowler: organic, atmospheric acoustic-guitar textures
  15. Amoeba: cinematic pop-ambient
  16. Boulevard: Up-beat rock and new wave for the 21st century
  17. Castle Pines: easy-to-listen-to pop rock with a fresh attitude
  18. Big Bad Sun: raunchy blues rock
  19. Blue Wave Theory: high-energy surf-inspired instrumental rock
  20. Chinaski: dark and driving energetic alternative rock