Mycenea Worley

Mycenea Worley is a singer/songwriter who regularly plays clubs, festivals, and benefits throughout central Pennsylvania. Her performances usually feature a nice blend of original songs, popular covers, and covers done with her unique arrangement, and always feature her enthusiastic smile, friendly demeanor, and outgoing personality. “A sense of humor and a big smile go a long way,” she says, citing a series of gigs she booked a few years back in a club that did not quite fit her genre of music. “Those gigs helped me to realize the importance of interacting with the crowd because even if people don’t like the particular song I’m playing at the moment I know that they’re a lot less likely to throw things at me if they see me as a human being.”

The music itself slightly deviates from this upbeat and outgoing persona, heartfelt and slightly darker with a folk rock edge, Mycenea released her debut, five-song EP titled Love in 2009. Produced by Bret Alexander and featuring many of his signature overtones, the EP is an enjoyable showcase of Mycenea’s songwriting talent and range. Material for a follow-up album has been written and rehearsed and is due to be recorded in the coming year.

With her career in a solid, steady incline at present and a future that looks bright, her perspective on the music itself has evolved much as she has become a more seasoned artist. When she first started performing, she felt that the only true measure of success was being on a popular national video and that if she didn’t achieve that within the first few years then her career would be a failure. Now she has a great appreciation for music performed on the small scale, locally. “Now I know, without a doubt, that some of the best music ever made is going on right now – in little towns with people who love to get together and talk to each other in that language. I’ve never gotten chills listening to Lady Ga Ga or Justin Beiber but, I’ll tell you, I’ve had tears in my eyes and chills on my arms in little bars in Marysville and Harrisburg and Lancaster. That’s music. That’s real.”

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“Fly” by Mycenea Worley

The riff for this song was written by Ross Kennedy and Mycenea stated she; “loved the way that it climbed but sounded like it was resistant because of the intervals and then when it completes that octave, it just soars. It’s like a resolution and I wanted it to be inspirational, because that’s how the chorus sounds. The verses sound a little darker and more cautious, so I wanted those words to reflect the mundane, day to day questioning of ourselves and of our abilities. And then it comes back to that chorus, and you remember you can do anything if you run like hell and spread your wings.”

“Fly” will be included on Mycenea’s forthcoming album Center. Drive. due for release in 2017. This will be her first full-length album and third overall release, following the EPs Love and Siren.

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Kung Fu Panda Valentines

NOTE: This article was originally published on the DAMES of Pa website on February 23, 2010.

Mycenea Worley is tonight’s entertainment at The Brewhouse in Camp Hill. She is singing and strumming her guitar on the “stage” which is really just an area between the bar and dining room where the tables have been pushed aside. She is playing a diverse assortment of covers including a few surprises from Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Roberta Flack and Johnny Cash. She even made a Britney Spears song sound almost legit. Mycenea’s delivery of these familiar tunes is refreshingly original with unique arrangements showcasing her gutsy yet graceful and beautiful vocals.

Mycenea’s original compositions are from the heart. In “Low” she sings about having your heart broken and not wanting to believe it; “I’ve been trying to get a message from my heart to my head…” “I Love You” is a pretty but powerful song, emoting positive energy with an infectious melody.

The crowd in The Brewhouse is usually pretty quiet, but tonight they were singing along to “Ring of Fire” as Mycenea egged them on. She has a an outgoing and personable stage presence making the audience feel as though they are her personal guests for the evening. Between sets she mingles with the audience evoking some smiles by handing out Kung Fu Panda Valentines to her friends and new fans.

Mycenea describes herself as a “late bloomer.” She says while she has always loved to sing and was active in choral groups and musical productions during her school years, she didn’t start playing guitar until college. She credits PA artist, Jeffrey Gaines as the reason she bought her first guitar. She told of how she approached him after one of his shows. According to Mycenea, the conversation went something like this, “She said, ‘I wish I could play – that must be the best thing ever!’ and he said, ‘Do you have a guitar?’ And I said, ‘No.’ and he said, ‘Well… you’ll need to get a guitar.’ and he smiled. And it was one of those ‘Duh!’ moments. I had all of these excuses in my head about being too old to learn to play and he reminded me that all I had to do to get started was to buy a guitar. The very next day my mom and I went up to the Susquehanna Valley Mall and I bought a Lotus with a silver finish and a Himalayan Pyrite picks guard. Guitar World magazine had dubbed it the classic vintage cheesestick of the future”.

Even with her passion for singing and newly honed guitar skills, Mycenea says she didn’t gain confidence as a performer without some encouragement. “I always really held back because I was pretty insecure about my voice. I didn’t really start getting comfortable in my skin and letting loose as a singer until I was about 28. I played in a few groups with two guys, Chris Auxt and Darrell Troutman, and those two, Chris especially, really pushed me in a good way.” She credits her friends with pushing her and helping her grow. “I would strain for the notes and fall on my face in front of those guys because we were friends and I felt comfortable making mistakes in front of them…. But – that’s how you grow. I’m hopeful that I’ll look back on some of these recordings in a few years and think, “I’ve come a long way.” That’s something that makes me feel proud – because I always work at getting better, or what’s the point?”

As the evening rolls on and the crowd moves out of the back dining room and towards the music in the bar, Mycenea’s third set of the evening is even more energized than her first.” I really like to interact with the crowd – that’s what music is all about – connecting with people and entertaining them. That’s why I look forward to going out and playing every weekend – even when it’s cold and I think, Man I just wish I could snuggle up on the couch with a book and call it a night, two minutes after I start playing I’m amped up and ready to go all night. When I see people smiling or chair dancing and singing along that’s the best thing ever!”

In September of 2009, Mycenea released her debut EP. Love was recorded and produced by Bret Alexander and has been well received selling out of it’s initial pressing. But don’t worry, Mycenea has ordered more and they are available again!

Mycenea is busy working on her follow up to Love . She says she expects to work with Bret Alexander at Saturation Acres again this summer recording and producing some songs. She is also excited to have Joel Dobbins producing one of her songs as well. Mycenea has a busy schedule with gigs all over Central PA so it should be easy to catch a performance. When you go, be sure to buy a CD and tell Mycenea that the Dames Of PA sent you!

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NOTE: Mycenea Worley donated the song “Low” to the Dollars for Diane compilation album.

Mycenea at Reverbnation