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Live Local Music

Koji Brings “Magic” to the State Theatre

Posted by Carly Mallenbaum on 03/01 at 07:16 PM

“This is magical” said Koji, who played to in intimate crowd of about 30 in the State Theatre.  The place was dimly lit except for a few light bulbs that illuminated Koji and his guitar.  It was like a dream.

The Asylum hosted Koji and Like Wild, who both played after several students took advantage of the open mic.  Many student musicians were impressive, like Chris Good, who played a funcover of “Black or White,” but Koji was the real highlight of the show.

Andrew “Koji” Shiraki is an incredible musician who deeply cares about supporting the arts. 

“The arts are like vitamins,” he told the audience.  I have to agree with Koji: Everyone would do better with a daily dose of the arts, specifically Koji’s music.  Yeah, it’s that good.

Koji not only makes himself vulnerable to his listeners, (he said he was almost afraid to record “Like We Do” because it was so personal) but he is also very interested in what his fans are up to, musically and otherwise.

“You guys are all at the cusp of something,” he said.  He told crowd to tell write down their thoughts and ideas (in a book that he brings to all his shows) and to send him any CDs. 

“I promise I will listen to anything you send me,” he said to his fellow musicians.

Koji’s voice is beautiful and harmonious.  It’s one of those lulling voices that puts you at ease, and it perfectly accompanies his acoustic guitar on which he is constantly experimenting with new sounds. 

After every song in Koji’s set I found myself wide-eyed and speechless.  He really did make magic on stage.

Koji is coming back APRIL 14th to perform at the Eldolyn Terrace!  I’ll keep you posted on that.