So Long Solo, an indie-folk band, performed in the lower level SUB on Wednesday, April 22. The group, consisting of married couple Mark and Heather Miller, commonly plays at weddings, other universities and various events but had never before been on the NIC campus. The concert, sponsored by ASNIC, came at the behest of So Long Solo, who contacted the school to arrange a performance.
“We wanted to do something fun towards the end of the semester. We thought a concert would be a great idea to do that and break the tension right before finals,” Quinne Evans said, 20, General Studies, Spokane. “They contacted us, and it seemed like it would be a unique experience.”
“We play at a lot of colleges, about 95 percent,” Mark Miller said, So Long Solo guitarist and vocalist. “This was our first time performing here.”
Mark Miller surprised some audience members with the inclusion of a cello in the duo’s performance. -Lily Anderson/Sentinel
The band name So Long Solo was derived from Mark asking his wife, Heather, to join him performing on tours. Heather agreed and, as the Miller’s explained, have been playing for four years and counting.
A raffle was held during the concert, with the winner receiving free merchandise from the group.
While the concert’s turnout was relatively small, the attendees seemed to enjoy it immensely.
Breanna Allen, 18, General Science, Coeur d’Alene, attended the concert due to a friend’s recommendation. Allen said that while she had never heard of the group before, she was certainly a fan now.
“I really liked it,” Allen said. “I really enjoyed it, and I think they can go far.”
Daniel Davis, who has friends on campus, attended the event after seeing a sign posted.
“I think they’re great,” Davis said. “They’re great people who really know how to put on a performance. They keep people in the room and are very friendly—they seem to really care about their fans.”
Mark and Heather both agreed that they would love to perform at NIC again.
With a quiet song dedicated to all the graduating students, the group So Long Solo closed the show with their soft song “Goodbye.”