Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Style

Media Credit: Nicholas Chiumenti Tuesday's Java Jive welcomed Rachel Joyce (above), covering John Mayer and Jason Pote, who by using his guitar and his pedal, made his own bass line to his songs.

It was standing room only again in the North Dining Room of the Union on Tuesday night for the first semi-final round of The Project, UMaine's own acoustic music competition. The first semi-final round showcased five of the qualifying round victors including: Jason Pote, Rachel Joyce and Erik Schwab from round one; The Choice Professionals - Nick Mather, Karl Varian - from round two; and Sons of David - Jonah Bruce, Jeff Debree - from round three. It was announced that two of the five acts would advance to the finals on April 22.

First up was Jason Pote, who set the bar high with his first song, a cover of Howie Day's "Ghost" featuring at least four separate tracks that he recorded on the spot and looped through a pedal on stage. The effect was an eerie percussive mist. He followed that up with a passionate cover of Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" during which he employed impressive falsetto. There was a brief foray into Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time" followed by an enthusiastic cover of Billy Joel's "Only The Good Die Young" which he closed out with some nice improvisation on the guitar melody.

Next was Rachel Joyce, who started off her set with a piano cover of Wyclef Jean and Niia's "Sweetest Girl" which showcased her ability to sing soulfully. She switched to guitar for her next tune, a cover of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" and also for a cover of Sheryl Crowe's "Strong Enough," both demonstrating finger-picking. She switched back to the piano for her last song, a cover of The Counting Crows' "A Long December."

Third was Erik Schwab, who did his best to chat with and engage the crowd during his set. His first song was an energetic cover of Donovan's "Catch the Wind" and was a nice counterpoint to the Dylan he covered in the first round. His next song, a cover of The Killers' "Mr. Brightside," was unconventional on acoustic guitar but he pulled it off really well, and the crowd was definitely feeling it. Inexplicably, a few people seemed to shuffle out during his set, prompting him to quip, "I'm scared. More people leave after every song." His next song was a cover of The Fratelli's "Ole Black 'n' Blue Eyes" which got the audience clapping along. He finished out the set with "a fast one," a cover of The Mr. T Experience's "Will You Still Love Me, When I Don't Love You."

Continued...

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