Last Saturday, local and regional musicians performed a free show at One Bean Espresso Bar, a little coffee shop located on the floor level of the Shippen Place Hotel.

One Bean hosted three acoustic acts. Isiah and Garrett Pettis, two brothers from Hershey, Pennsylvania, opened the event. They offered a unique way of playing their guitars.

Rather than just relying on the vibrations of strings, the brothers would often slap the bodies of their guitars to synthesize a rhythmic section to their sound. Additionally, Isiah and Garrett would intensely strum the strings to increase the volume.

Both elements are rare in acoustic music. They require precision and finger strength. Isiah and Garrett were impressive, and it was easy for the modest audience to come in, order coffee and relax during the afternoon.

Next was Tyler Michael Law, a Shippensburg University student who has performed regularly throughout the area in previous months. Recently, he travelled down to Washington, D.C. for a show.

While the crowd was enjoying its coffee, Law shuffled in, introduced himself and played his first song, “Head in the Clouds.”

Next, he played “Medicine." “For some reason, it’s my mother’s favorite song that I have written,” Law said.

Perhaps the best way to describe Law’s sound is Americana. It is reminiscent of a coyote howling at the sunset in the deserts of Arizona.

Plus, he is a very loose performer. He often sways his body into the groove as he plays. It is a way of saying “I feel my music, and I want you to, as well.”

Despite how into his music he gets when playing in front of an audience, he hates listening to his own recordings.

“The only times I do is right after the songs are recorded, and when I am actually performing them,” Law said.

For his song “Medicine,” he sings, “You’re the cure,” in which one would assume he is referring to the person helping him.

But Law has said that there is not one specific message to his lyrics.

“Everyone who listens to a song is going to take a different meaning,” he said. “That’s what I hope happens, because that’s the most beautiful part of music and storytelling.”

The final performance was by The Arcadians, consisting of students from Shippensburg Area Senior High School. Matt West played guitar and sang, Ethan Risser also played guitar, while Luke Hershey played bass. Lastly was Nathaniel Sheffield, who provided percussion.

The young band played its normal electric set acoustically, and have been influenced by bands like The Kooks and Arctic Monkeys.

Much like the band’s first show at The Thought Lot, One Bean was crowded.

The Arcadians stuck to the theme of playing soothing music in the stylish bar, putting the audience at ease.

As for One Bean Espresso Bar, they are open Monday through Friday from, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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