Editor’s Note: Declan Melchoir uses he/they/she pronouns but for clarity, he/him pronouns are used in the article. 

Declan Melchoir performed a musical set during sunset with a cozy atmosphere in the McIntyre Library breezeway on Thursday, April 4. He performed a wide variety of covers with refreshments provided by the University Honors Program.

Melchoir began the night with several indie songs, including “Here Comes Your Man” by Pixies, “Like Real People Do” by Hozier and “Maple Syrup” by The Backseat Brothers.

He played “Linger” by The Cranberries, then popular songs like “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius and “Kyoto” by Phoebe Bridgers. 

Melchoir also played some surprising songs, like “That Funny Feeling,” which is a piece from Bo Burnhams’ 2020 film on Netflix, “Inside.” He played a surprise song, “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, and introduced it by saying, “You all know this one.”

Melchoir ended the set with The Cures’ “Friday in Love,” which happened to be University Honors Program Director Heather Fielding’s favorite piece of the night. Fielding has worked with Melchoir in and out of the program.

“Declan is very creative,” Fielding said. “He’s a poet, very talented and is a wonderful part of the honors community.”

Melchoir, a fourth-year creative writing student, learned how to play guitar in second grade, but the hobby became more serious in high school when he began performing in an unconventional way. 

“My dad advocated for me,” Melchoir said. “He sent an email to a wine bar manager and so I got a chance to perform one night, and it all just kind of snowballed from there.”

Throughout the event, Melchoir said he had over four hours’ worth of music he could perform. Melchoir recently performed at SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar in October. That performance was a collaboration with NOTA, which he is also a member of. 

He had a completely different setlist, as Melchoir said they like to switch up what they perform from crowd to crowd. 

“I like to tailor it to whatever crowd I’m playing to,” Melchoir said. “So usually when I’m playing at a wine bar, I tend to play more classics but I love getting the opportunity to play for a college audience because it lets me play Phoebe Bridgers or other indie rock.”

This is the first program of its kind hosted by the Honors Program. Melchoir said he was surprised by this fact. 

“I got to know Heather really well so I am glad that she also kind of advocated for me and kind of allowed me [to play],” Melchoir said. 

Melchoir plans to graduate this spring but wants to continue playing in Eau Claire after.

“I’ve been looking for more gigs kind of around Eau Claire,” Melchoir said. “I’m hoping to continue performing and writing as well.”

Follow Melchoir’s music journey on his Instagram @declanhmm.

Leick can be reached at [email protected].