Postcrypt’s back with more student performers

One wouldn’t guess that whale sounds and puns about porn would ever fill the air in the depths of St. Paul’s Chapel.

Jan. 28 and 29 marked the start of the spring semester of Columbia’s long-standing underground coffeehouse Postcrypt with twins Rob and David Karpay and folk artist Bryan Cahall, but Postcrypt organizers say that this semester they’ll be focusing on student acts.

Having always been closely tied to the New York community, Postscrypt generally brings in professional or non-Columbia musicians, also features home-grown acts like this weekend’s Anthony Da Costa, CC ’13.

“We’re trying to book more student groups,” said booking manager Aly Petteruti, BC ’14. According to head manager Annika Christensen, BC ’13, 50 percent of the performers they have booked for this upcoming semester are students.

For Christensen, the key to developing a larger student presence at Postcrypt is by getting the word out. “The more people who come out to shows, the more friends they tell, the more people will know about Postcrypt,” Christensen said.

This semester, Postscrypt is targeting students not just to perform, but also to attend and join their team. “We are trying to involve students as much as possible in every aspect of Postcrypt, since we really are a student group,” Christensen said. “They can become directly involved with running a professional music venue.”

She cited “open stages” as the best way for students to get a gig, since the coffeehouse’s email address gets swamped every day with potential performers. Before securing the night’s coveted closing spot, Cahall had performed at one of Postscrypt’s “open stages,” where anyone can sign up to perform a ten-minute, or two-song, set. The stage is open to musicians, comedians, storytellers, and poets, among other performers.

Since having had to increase security and stop offering free popcorn and beer, Postcrypt has settled down in St. Paul’s Chapel for over a year and a half with new rules. “The Chaplain was very amazing, and we went through a lot of discussions,” said Christensen. “They really supported us in being who we are today.”

Now with a permanent venue, Postcrypt is ready to “continue providing great shows like we always have,” Christensen said. The staff behind Postcrypt said that it would maintain its homey and casual vibe, as the home-baked cookies, drinks served in jars, and hand-chalked signs suggest.

With three acts per night as usual, Friday offered New York newcomer David Moss, Postscrypt regular A.J. Roach, and regular and affiliate Da Costa. Saturday favored new talent, showcasing Ray Brown, the Karpays, and Cahall. For Cahall, it was his first booked Postscrypt appearance.

Saturday night’s performance began with Ray Brown, a folk trio, followed by the Karpays, whose highlighted performance was an original song entitled “Whale,” in which David made whale sounds.

The evening closed with a performance by folk artist Cahall, whose pun-filled lyrics added a fresh spin on his folksy melodies.

“You can’t really know what Postscrypt is until you go,” said Christensen. “It’s a great place to discover music and see shows.” At Postscrypt, the music may vary, but the venue and its welcoming appeal remain constant.

arts@columbiaspectator.com