Vin Fischer returns to Young Bean

Alternative folk singer and musician Tim “Vin” Fischer will give an encore of his September performance at the Young Bean Coffee Shop when he returns Friday. The 2011 winner of Rehoboth Has Talent will perform a free show at 6 p.m. 

One-man-band
During live performances Fischer, 23, can be seen using virtually every part of his body, all the way from his face to his feet; on his face he uses a harmonica holder to play the instrument hands free, while holding a guitar and manning a bass drum. He plays with multiple instruments during live shows because he needed a way to “fill in the gaps” since he’s a solo act, said Fischer of Georgetown.

The idea to add the bass drum was inspired by vocalist Marcus Mumford (of the British rock folk band Mumford & Sons) who plays multiple instruments, including drums during live shows, as well as vocalists Scott and Seth Avett (of the North Carolina folk band The Avett Brothers) who also play drums during live sets.

As for the harmonica, Fischer uses it because it’s simply part of the “general folk sound,” he said. The culmination of playing those instruments delivers a more engaging performance to audiences.

“It looks like a much more high-energy act than if I was up there singing with a guitar,” said Fischer, who also mentioned his ability to multitask is easier for him to do than performing certain standard tasks with just a guitar. “I can’t even play a finger picking song and play at the same time [on a guitar].”

It’s personal
Though it’s only been two months since Fischer’s last performance at the Young Bean, the show couldn’t come soon enough for the full-time performer because the venue is different from the typical bar venues he has played, where audiences were more focused on hearing catchy tunes than absorbing his lyrics, he said.

"It’s probably one my favorite venues in area,” Fischer said of the Young Bean. “It’s more of a relaxed setting. You get a crowd that pays attention. People are really focused on what you have to say.”

Performing is special to Fischer because he uses the stage as an opportunity to invite the listener into some of the real life issues he has or is experiencing. His songs describe relationships, moving away from his home in Columbia, Pa., and traveling, of which he spent a month living in his car in April of 2010 because he wanted to get some exposure for his music. He hopped in his car and traveled from Pennsylvania to a dozen states (including Maryland, Michigan, Alabama and Florida) where he performed at random open mic venues.

“I think that’s what’s really important to me as an artist, to share your personal experience rather than cover someone’s music,” Fischer said. “I’m about writing the music you play.”

Just do it
He’s also about his actions speaking louder than his words. Throwing caution to the wind to perform throughout the country was gutsy, yet necessary for Fischer, who felt he needed to jumpstart his music career his way, instead of working a lousy nine-to-five job.

Since he left his parent’s home and moved to Georgetown last spring, (in order to get a fresh start and begin his music career) things have been looking up for Fischer; he’s received steady gigs mostly throughout Delaware, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Fischer’s path isn’t always smooth sailing, but he’s enjoying the ride thus far.

“[Music’s] all I do for work now, and there’s nothing else I want do,” he said. “I’d rather be homeless than work a job I don’t like. And I stand by that.”