Girl Fight

posted in: Artist Features • Rock

Mieka Pauley had already achieved some traction as a solo artist before linking up with Brian Cassagnol and Andrew Morgan to form the Mieka Canon. There was the Starbucks Emerging Artist Award, the New York Songwriter’s Circle Award and gigs opening for KT Tunstall, Natasha Bedingfield, Ben Kweller and John Legend. Now, with Cassagnol and Morgan in her corner, Pauley’s music underwent rigorous training, doubled its muscle weight and is now strong enough to take on the mainstream.  Take Colossal, for example. Crushing drums and towering guitars (reminiscent of John Frusciante) push Pauley’s soulful husk to aggression.  With hooks coming at you from all angles, you may as well surrender.  In We’re All Gonna Die, Pauley channels her inner bad girl for a careening kiss off, while Faster is conversely slower “ a glossy power ballad that showcases Mieka’s serious lyrical chops. There may be many who prefer Mieka’s pared down, softer work as a singer-songwriter. But for those who like to see a female contender on the male-dominated modern rock charts, put your money on Mieka.