Each year, the organizers of The Ark's monthly Open Stage nights bring back one or two of the many talented performers who have appeared over the course of this past year. This year's Open Stage Showcase performers are Darrin Breil and Lisa Ritchie. Darrin Breil says he was born to play music, and after the purchase of his first acoustic guitar at age six there was no stopping this destiny. He would later describe a missing and longing feeling to be with a guitar again as his reason for seeking it out at such a young age. He was exposed to country music and classic rock early on, and has been influenced by Bob Seger, Motown, guitarists like Elvis Presley’s Scotty Moore, and the rhythmic stylings of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. Combining rhythmic roots, pure emotion and lyrical poetry has created a sound that many who knew this well-traveled musician would simply call “Breilstyle."

Lisa Ritchie, a recent graduate from the U-M, says the majority of her time was split between two passions–God and music. In 2011, she formed a band called Hush, Love. A songwriter for 13 years, she continually evolves in her style. “Some people know exactly what their style is and how to pursue it, but I find mine to be constantly changing, leading me to chase after a melody I just can’t quite write”¦yet.” Influences range from Shania Twain all the way to her current rekindled passion for punk rock. Her list of influences contains Death Cab for Cutie, Yellow Card, Coldplay, and includes newer artists such as Milo Greene, Roo Panes and Lord Huron. Lisa's songwriting has been shaped by the songs she never tires of. “'Title and Registration!' That is a song I will never be sick of listening to. So, I think that’s my goal: to write a song you can listen to on repeat without getting tired of it. There’s some ”˜mystical’ element in songs like that, they put feelings into words," Lisa says.