Fri 3/7 @ 8PM
The cloyingly named Wakey!Wakey! is basically pianist/singer/songwriter Mike Grubbs.
He formed the band in the mid 2000s, after some time spent in New York City’s “anti-folk” scene and touring with a couple of musicals. That, his classical background, and an early affection for piano-playing rockers like Elton John and Billy Joel give his pop/rock music an appealing combination of modesty and anthemic sweep.
He caught a break when his music was used on the TV show One Tree Hill, which led to a recurring role on that show. His full-length album Everything I Said The Last Time I Saw You came out shortly after that, in 2010.
Wakey!Wakey! will be performing at Akron’s music with 23-year-old singer/songwriter from New York Jillette Johnson, who has just released her debut album Water in a Whale, which runs to heavily arranged pop. Grubbs and Johnson have just released a duet track called “Irresistible,” a lush, soaring pop ballad.
New York-based, classic rock-influenced singer/songwriter Casey Shea is also on the bill.
Tickets are $12.